August 10, 2026
For the last two weeks we’ve enjoyed exploring the North Channel. We picked up Mary in Thessalon two weeks ago. It was so nice to share this part of the trip with Mary. Starting with a crossing over to Cockburn Island, Tomlinson Harbor, then to Meldrum Bay, back across to Turnbull Island then Bear’s Butt Bay on to Spanish, through Little Detroit channel, to Oak Point (beautiful but way too many deer flies!!!) then back to Meldrum and Cockburn. We are crossed back over to Thessalon yesterday to return Mary.
The North Channel is lovely. We’ve enjoyed the sunrises, the sun sets, being at anchor and looking for eagles, otters, fish, cormorants, loons, rocks, trees, and of course gazing at the water surrounding us. The weather continues to be wonderful – sunny and warm days with calm cool nights. We’ve lived our lives around the winds, weather, and waves. We haven’t had any violent storms, just a few raindrops a couple of days. We’ve motored, motored sailed, and sailed – sometimes all three in one trip.
One frustration we’ve had is with the electronic charts. Our Raymarine chart is way off kilter in Canadian Waters. Harold upgraded to Navionics but it’s on his phone and it sucks power like crazy, and requires several shakes to update our position. And believe me, charts are important around here. Lots of shoals, rocks, islands, and very few are marked with buoys. Harold is an amazing navigator and has charted our course over the last two weeks safely by plugging into our super duper led flashlight power bank.
I have improved my binocular skills and can fine what I’m trying to see in short order, focus them so I can get a clear view, and hold steady enough to determine what I see. Finding obscure aids to navigation is my forte now. Little red buoys, green buoys, sight markers, signs on islands etc.
I also can tell a gull from a fishing buoy, a loon from a cormorant, and sometimes can even see the opening to a harbor from a far.
I am at a point in our travels where I am feeling that some familiar territory is welcome. I’ve enjoyed returning to Meldrum and Cockburn Islands to familiar waters. When we get back to Thessalon we are taking a couple of days to defrost the freezer, change the oil, get a pump out, clean out the fridge, restock and make plans for the nest couple of weeks. We are planning to be in Mackinaw City on Labor Day to walk the bridge.
It’s been two months since we left Muskegon and a lot of water under our keel. Reflection is a great boat to travel on. Comfortable, seaworthy and easy to manage. We are so glad we have this beautiful boat. What a blessing to be able to spend this summer on the water in the North Channel.
M