Day 7: Running for Cover in Killarney

Uh oh!

Day 7: Thursday, July 21st - Covered Portage Cove to Killarney 

Sportsman's Inn, George Island side

We parted ways this morning with our friends Kurt and Beth on Petry's Pet, as they headed back west and we moved forward toward Georgian Bay.  As we looked at the radar though, we got a little nervous about the impending storm... and ultimately decided to head to Killarney to tie up on a dock.  Without the baby aboard, we may not have made this decision, but we were playing it safe on this trip!

Storm clouds move in

Meanwhile down in the cabin... RJ is just chillin and watching Blaze (and the Monster Machines)

The storm passed pretty quickly without really amounting to much, but we had already paid for overnight dockage, so we decided to make the most of the day at dock!  This was our first time staying on the George Island side of Sportsman Inn Marina, and we enjoyed the peacefulness. :-)  

Storm? What storm?

Ben doing some fishing off the dock at Sportsman Inn Marina

Lunch at Herbert's - Fish and Poutine yummmmmm

RJ trying some Herbert's - I think he liked it!

This was our first time eating at the new Herbert's restaurant!  It was nice to have a place to eat indoors (it was pretty hot that day), but we definitely missed the old schoolbus! We were lucky to get there at an off time, so there weren't many people there and we were able to get a table indoors.  

We otherwise had a pretty quiet day exploring and napping, and saving up our energy for more adventures to come!

Mama and baby bear :-)

The whole Seapickle crew in Killarney

Storm Moving into Killarney - View From George Island

View from Seapickle - Covered Portage Cove

Day 6: Covered Portage Cove

Seapickle Crew with Seapickle in the background - Covered Portage Cove 

Day 6, Wednesday, July 20, 2016: Killarney to Covered Portage Cove - arrived 1:30pm

I'm going to let the photos do most of the talking for Covered Portage Cove!  This is one of our favorite anchorages, and we've spent a few days here before on previous trips.  What that means for us is we feel comfortable enough to just get right down to relaxing and enjoying the anchorage!  We got out the SUP - an inflatable Jimmy Styks Stand Up Paddleboard - check them out here www.jimmystyks.com.  Later we hopped in the dinghy with Kurt and Beth and hiked the trail to the top, with great views of our boats and the anchorage.  RJ did great in the hiking backpack - it's an Osprey Poco Plus - find out more here.

Dana on the paddleboard - covered portage cove

Seapickle crew on the (borrowed) dinghy - photo by Kurt on Petry's Pet

Co-captains Ben and RJ hiking at Covered Portage Cove

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