Cruising to Marianne Cove, Baie Fine, North Channel

Trip Back to Covered Portage from Killarney... the Scenic Route

First time heading into Georgian Bay, from Killarney

Day 8: Friday June 22, 2016

Left Killarney Mountain Lodge, entered Georgian Bay and headed East to Collins Inlet, then through to Mill Lake, then back through Collins Inlet, back through Georgian Bay, back through Killarney... to 3 miles away from where we started in Covered Portage Cove. Whew! 

Winds were building as we left Killarney, but we thought we would find plenty of protection in Mill Lake, since it appeared to be pretty tucked away inland.  It was a beautiful cruise through Collins Inlet, but we didn't find protection in Mill Lake.  It was VERY windy, and although we tried anchoring a couple different locations, we just weren't satisfied with the protection.  

We loved cruising through Collins Inlet. It was well worth the trip

Beautiful cruise through Collins Inlet

Mill Lake, Collins Inlet

Captain RJ woke up from his nap and decided he didn't like the looks of Mill Lake

We decided to head back out to Collins Inlet to see if we could find a place to tuck in.  We found a great location right near the entrance, but it seemed everyone else had the same idea and there wasn't much room available.  So we thought next we'd check out Thomas Bay... but with waves and wind building, we were a little hesitant to attempt the rocky entrance.  So... back to Covered Portage Cove we went!  We had experience with a strong west wind there, and knew the perfect location to tuck in for protection.  Now we just had to hope it would be open!

Luckily, our favorite protected spot was open!

Once in Covered Portage Cove's outer harbor, we were able to back into a spot close to the rocks that was totally blocked from the wind.  We'd been here before, so it's always comforting to know an area is safe and free of rocks.

So although we took a really long route to get there (but not more than a few hours), we were back anchored in one of our favorite spots!  Now all we had to do was relax and enjoy the rest of the day :-)  

Out on the stand up paddleboard

Catch of the day ;-) 

Captain RJ enjoying a swim

Lantern-side dinner for 2

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