The best laid plans of mice. Well, despite the ridiculously
benign conditions of yesterday, things always change, don’t they?
We got up today with the intention of taking a tin-boat ride
around the waterways of the Bustards and then taking the oceanic highway over
to Odjig Island (formerly the unfortunately named Squaw Island. I only mention
it because the name has only recently been changed, and if you’re following us
on a map, you might be confused. There we were going to anchor in Frog Bay, now
called Frenchman’s Cove. Kidding, there is no Frog Bay.)
The tin boat that we haul behind us (a fourteen-foot
runabout with a 15 hp Johnson on the back. No relation to Brooke) was a good
ride as we explored Wicks Channel. It is a long, straight passage leading to
the windward side of the islands and we followed along as best as possible
checking out the sights. On the way back we were crossed off the bow by a large
black bear, swimming on its way to forage. How bears got out here in the first
place is a mystery to me as the Bustards are a good four or five miles off the
mainland. Could a mating pair have swum this far out?
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| Brooke at the helm of the tin boat |
Then we wayed anchor and headed off from the islands with
the intention of motoring across the 25 miles to Odjig, thinking that the low
winds would offer easy passage. This was not the case as, once we had passed
the head of the barrier islands, we were met with 3 to 4-foot swells that would
have made the 2-hour trip very unpleasant. Where these swells could have
originated with so little wind, who knows?
So instead, we headed to the French River and made our way
to McDougal Bay where we have anchored for the night. Hopefully, the promise of
an even calmer day tomorrow will enable us to resume our quest for the North
Channel.
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| Exploring The French River |
It was extremely harrowing and upsetting, Mister Hattie had
to get up twice for treats, but a dinner of dry-rub ribs and avocado and tomato
salad had us back in high spirits. That and half the rum supply. We also went a
bit further up the French in the tin-boat as far as the Dallas Rapids.
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| Ship's cat, Mister Hattie, worn out from the traveling |
As it turns out, Cappie didn’t fall off the boat.
Next episode: No turning back.
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