Day 5 (part 2): Killarney Mountain Lodge - Dinner and Marina Stay

Looking down the channel in Killarney from our dock at Killarney Mountain Lodge

Day 5 (part 2 - sorry for the delay!): Luisa Island to Killarney Mountain Lodge for the night

We arrived in Killarney in the early afternoon and checked in at Killarney Mountain Lodge for the night.  We arrived just in time to shower and dress for dinner at the new/updated restaurant at the lodge.  It was our first time there, but I believe the updated restaurant is a little fancier than before.  (So in boater terms, that means we actually showered and dressed in our best nautical wear) :-)

Entrance to Killarney Mountain Lodge

Nautical family fireplace photo :-)

We had been prompted to make reservations for dinner when we called to reserve a slip, so I was able to reserve a table for us and for our friends Kurt and Beth. We had a wonderful dinner, and Captain RJ had his first taste of fresh caught Whitefish!

The baby captain trying whitefish

Ben and RJ at dinner at Killarney Mountain Lodge

After dinner we walked the town and got some ice cream (of course), and just enjoyed being able to show RJ the sights!  Although it stays light out later than we're used to, RJ still went down for bed at his normal time, and we were able to have some time to ourselves (with the baby monitor nearby). :-)

Admiral mama and baby bundle on our dock

Enjoying the full moon and some drinks with the baby monitor nearby

The next morning, I was ready to leave the boat when I noticed everyone staring...  An otter was hanging out eating a fish right behind our boat!  After I closed the door (truthfully it kind of freaked me out), it was sooooo cute!

Ben, Kurt, and Beth taking photos from the dock

Cute lil otter close up

After lunch at Herberts, for RJ's second taste of Whitefish and first taste of poutine, we headed out for another night or two at anchor at Covered Portage Cove... one of our favorites!  Check back for the next post soon!

Captain RJ and First Mate Ben leading us out of Killarney

Day 5: A Little Detour to Louisa Island

Kurt and Beth relaxing on beautiful Louisa Island with Seapickle in the distance

Day 5: Croker Island to Louisa Island, then on to Killarney. Winds West/SouthWest.

By morning at Croker Island anchorage, we could tell the winds had died down and it was time for us to move on.  We made sure to tune in to hear Roy Eaton on Cruisers Net before heading on our way. 

RJ was about 6 1/2 months old at this point, and still taking 3 naps a day, so we tried to time our cruising time with his nap time.  He'd wake up around 7:30, we'd have a leisurely morning, and then by about 9 or 9:30 he'd be ready for a nap.

Captain RJ getting ready to call in to Roy on Cruisers Net

Leaving Croker Island anchorage

Heading toward Louisa Island

We had dinner reservations at Killarney Mountain Lodge, but we still had about 6 hours before we could check in at the marina, so we decided to detour to Louisa Island for lunch.  Once anchored at Louisa Island, RJ was awake and ready to eat!  We cooked up some quick chili dogs and had leftover pasta salad to go with it.  Even the simplest lunch is better on an island. :-)

RJ taking a quick lunch break with his daddy

We took the paddleboard to the beach, where I set RJ up a cozy spot in the shade to sit and play while Ben and I took turns paddling around the island.  We'd been wanting to check Louisa Island out for some time, since we first heard of it's sandy beach, which is a rarity in the North Channel.

Playtime on the beach!

Dana out playing on the paddleboard

Ben had taken the paddleboard to the other side of the island and was checking out rock formations when he heard a rustling in the woods that he thought was a bear.  It turned out to be a couple who recognized him and Seapickle, and happened to have commented on our blog years ago!  They shared stories together of dragging anchor at Beardrop.  Such a small world! :-)

Petry's Pet anchored off beautiful Louisa Island

Day 4: Let the Wind and the Waves Crash Outside...

Calm morning in Croker Island Anchorage, looking over our bow at Petry's Pet

Day 4: Monday, July 18 - Croker Island Anchorage - Strong Wind Warning in Effect. Wind West 20 veering to Northwest 20.  We enjoyed a typical relaxing morning on the boat, drinking coffee and making breakfast on the swim platform.  After breakfast, Ben went off on some dinghy exploration with Kurt from Petry's Pet and some of the crew from Orca.  They found an old outhouse in the woods on the other side of the island. 

Breakfast cooking on the swim platform

While the snakes sun outside on the rocks 

Dinghy exploration

View of Seapickle from the rocks

Later during RJ's morning nap, I took the opportunity to do some hiking and exploring, and went over to the other side of the high rocks on the island, where I encountered very strong wind and waves.... and phone signal!  Since I could make a call, and since we were planning on running all the way to Killarney the next day, I made reservations for us and for Petry's Pet at The Killarney Mountain Lodge.  I also was able to make us dinner reservations in their newly remodeled dining room. :-)

Looking out at Porcupine Island from the other side of Croker

Wind and waves on the other side of Croker

Meanwhile back on the boat..

Meanwhile on the boat RJ was waking up from his nap and ready for some lunch!  We cooked up some lunch again on the swim platform, while Ben and I both did a little swimming (and bathing) and then Ben tried his luck at catching some fish (didn't happen).

Watch out for snakes!

Trying to catch some fish to add to our lunch 

Later on in the early evening, we were invited to Orca for dinner and drinks.  Paul, the boat owner, made the wise decision to invite his friend Sara on the trip, and she's a chef!  They made an amazing dinner (I think I contributed some sad pasta salad from what I had on the boat), and even RJ was impressed!  I think it's adorable how he felt right at home on their boat, even letting Sara feed him guacamole and other yummy things off her plate :-)  We were so glad we gave Croker another try.  It's become one of our favorite anchorages!

RJ just chilling and being fed some guacamole :-) (one of his first foods)

Hey! This guy looks like me!

Our favorite photo from our beautiful Croker Island Anchorage

Day 3: Strong Winds Chase us to Croker Island

Day 3: Sunday, July 17 - Depart Bay of the Benjamins and Arrive to Croker approx. 11:30am (1.9mi)

Strong South winds turning Southwest and Northwest by morning - Strong wind and storm warning

Orca crew leading us to anchorage in Croker (the sailboats were on the way out)

We were having a relaxing morning anchored in the Bay of the Benjamins with Petry's Pet, but becoming a bit concerned about the weather/wind change that was due to happen later that morning (as is typical of the North Channel).  Suddenly Ben noticed Jamie zooming back to Orca on the dinghy, followed by them pulling anchor and leaving the anchorage.  A few minutes later Ben received a message from Paul that the Croker Island anchorage was empty and would be completely protected from the weather change!

Croker Island wasn't on our short list to visit on this trip, but in boating (and in life) you just have to go with the flow and make the best of it.  Planning usually doesn't get you too far! :-)  Paul and Jamie led us in on the dinghy and helped us tie to shore.  After that, we had a whole day of relaxation ahead of us.

At anchor in Croker with Petry's Pet and Orca

We were lucky to have this beautiful, calm Croker Island anchorage while the winds and waves grew on the other side.  We were also lucky this year to have buddy boats with us as we navigated our first trip with a baby. :-)  RJ was still on 3 naps at the time, so Ben and I took turns taking off on the paddle board, hiking, taking out the dinghy, and exploring.  Since I was primarily responsible for feeding the baby, a lot more time was spent in the cabin this summer than ever before! (He's lucky he's so cute) :-)

Captain RJ just being adorable as usual

Croker Island - home of the many swimming snakes 

Although not on our original agenda, this detour to Croker Island was a great call (even with the snakes).  Luckily this visit we knew that the swimming snake was not poisonous, but we still were careful to watch for them before jumping in for a swim or a lake bath!  

Hanging out in the cabin and listening to some music

Daddy and baby love

Day 2 (cont): How have we gone 4 years without going to the Benjamin Islands??

Day 2: Saturday, July 16 - Depart Spanish Marina 11:30am, Arrive Bay of the Benjamins 12:30pm

That's right, this was our 4th trip to the North Channel, and we STILL HAD NOT anchored in the fabled Benjamin Islands!  So this time, it was our first priority.  And luckily, although the Bay of the Benjamins was a little crowded when we arrived, there was still plenty of space in the anchorage. We met our friends Kurt and Beth outside the bay, and Ben and I went in first to try to find a spot. 

Checking out anchorages - this is actually the South anchorage on South Benjamin

Meeting friends from Indiana in the North Channel!

Help tying up from some friendly local boaters

A group of local boaters who were rafted together saw us looking for a spot, and zoomed over in their dinghys to help us out.  We're always so grateful when people take the time to help, especially in a place we've never been before!  In the N.C., you never know where underwater rocks or shallow spots are lurking, and it just makes it soooo much easier to have help!

We anchored and tied to the rocks behind us, and just took some time to celebrate, relax, and take it all in.  One of our favorite things about our North Channel vacations is that it does not take long at all to settle in and just let the relaxation start.  A big part of that comes from taking our little home-away-from-home or our "floating hotel room" with us when we travel!  No matter where we go to sleep or wake up and have our coffee, we're already feeling like we're at home.

So, first order of business once we are anchored and feeling good about things... lunch!  And for lunch in the Bay of the Benjamins for the first time?  Can't top grilled pizza!

Captain RJ had us securely anchored in no time!

The best pizza is on a grill (the scenery doesn't hurt either).

Kurt and Beth on their dinghy out exploring

Seapickle and Petry's Pet at anchor in the Bay of the Benjamins

After lunch we set out to explore the area behind where we anchored first, and then took the dinghy over to the area referred to as the ski slope due to its steep incline and smooth pink granite.  It was definitely different and a little tricky loading RJ and all our gear into the dinghy just to travel ashore, but so amazing to experience it with him.  And yes!  I did say "dinghy" this time... we decided that the kayak may be too difficult with a baby, so Kurt and Beth generously loaned us their old dinghy for the trip!  We missed the quiet of the kayak, but the dinghy was much more convenient.

We agreed that the Benjamins are regarded as the best anchorage in the North Channel for a good reason! It was absolutely breathtaking.

Having a little picnic and playtime on the rocks

Ben and baby in his Osprey pack doing some exploring

The days are long in the North Channel, and we still had time for some playtime in the boat with RJ before he went down for bed, and we met up with the crew of Orca - fellow GLCC member Paul, and his friends Jamie and Sara, on the rocks for a few beers.  The quintessential North Channel day... and this was just the beginning!

RJ catching up on some Beach Baby reading

Watching Orca anchor - Ben "met" Paul on Instagram and we met for drinks with Paul, Jamie, and Sara that evening

Baby RJ hanging out in his baby piano gym in the V-berth

Bay of the Benjamins from the "ski slope" area