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No, we're not going up, up and away in a beautiful balloon. Better yet, we are going to see the world from an ever better vantage point - up on the flybridge of a boat.
For the first part of our boating lives, we always had express style cruisers. These vessels were styled with sleek and low to the waterline profiles and built to go fast when under way. The looks were good and the performance was adequate, but those sleek lines meant compromising living space.
Our old 'Boogaboo III', with a classic express style hull.
When we were looking to move up to what would be our current boat, more living space was the top priority on the list. To be honest, my mind was pretty much made up on the style of boat I felt would be best, that of a sedan bridge. The benefit of the sedan style is that one gets expanded living space, with direct cabin access from the cockpit, as well as a flybridge helm.
When we originally took the new toy, 'Boogaboo IV', for it's sea trial on Lake St. Clair, it would be the very first time that I had piloted a bridge boat. It was a whole new world! After getting used to the fact that the pitch and roll of the boat was a little more evident up top, I found the commanding view amazing.
After having the boat for that first year (only a half season, as we took possession of it in late July), I had come to the conclusion that driving from way up on high was the best way to fly :-) I mean seriously, when compared to a cramped helm of our older express boats, the ability to see all around literally gave us a whole new perspective. And a much higher one, too!
A way up high flybridge. I love it!
I'll never forget the first time we drove it home along the Severn River after the voyage from Michigan, through Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Now that we were back to more familiar waters, Anchor Girl was all of the sudden noticing buildings along the shoreline that, at this point, were brand new to her. At one spot, she actually asked me about a couple of the cottages along the shoreline when I told her they had been there every other time we had previously ventured this way, only she had never noticed them on the old boat. That was funny.
If you ever get tired of the confined helm view found in many express
style boats, then the cure just might be moving to a Sedan Bridge. Climb
up to the flybridge to survey all that lies around you. You’ll feel like
you have truly made it to the top :-)
A bunch of fun from the Labour Day long weekend, which found us back at The Waubic Restaurant alongside the Severn River.
When we left our marina for the weekend, it was another really windy day, but we made the run up no problem. Just before hitting Swift Rapids Lock (#43), we met up with friends and decided to spend the night there with them and continue on to our final destination - the Waubic - the next morning.
Here we are tied up for the night, which was the first time we did an overnight at this lock;
Enjoying some good times, along with a couple of cold ones :-)
The view from our flybridge. Yet another nice spot.
. . . and a beautiful sunrise the next morning. The day gave us hot weather and calm conditions.
When we arrived at The Waubic, we had to drift in the river for a little bit while the previous nights' guests left the docks. No problem, as it was calm, unlike our previous visit here in July when we had to deal with strong westerlies while waiting for our spot - and three professional dock captains who were full of suggestions as to how I should make my approach in the wind ;-) Guess which one I listened to? HA!
This weekend was one of the best all summer for weather and we was all in swimming - and trying our skills on Kim's SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard). To my pleasant surprise, Anchor Girl was a natural on the thing! Myself, not so much :-)
The owners of the place have two dogs that great the guests when they arrive. This guy is named Tanner and he will spend the entire day with you retrieving a ball if you throw it. Problem with that is he jumps in thew water a lot and loves to shake his stinky wetness all over when he brings the ball back. . .
Kicking back on 'Poker Sticks' before going to the restaurant for dinner.
HI!
Jimmy shows off the huge portions of fish (along with everything else) that they serve. The food here is really good!
A peaceful evening on the docks. A spot we are looking forward to visiting many more times!
Calm conditions lead us back into our home port. Sure was a great weekend!!
For the 2012 Canada Day long weekend, we headed up to The Waubic, a small restaurant on the Severn River. We had boated past this place many times over the years, but never actually stopped in. Well, it was a good call, as we really enjoyed it. So much so, that we visited again for the Labour Day long weekend. That turned out to be the best weekend of the summer, by far. I'll be posting lots of fun from that event in the future . . .
Before heading out, Jimmy staggered, I mean walked, over to wish us well before he & Marg left for their fateful boat trip to Georgian Bay. See the video below to find out what happened.
Jimmy's boating accident;
Bill dropped by, as well. Hey Bill, you might be putting your ship up for sale next year?? Say it ain't so . . .
I took these next few sunrise shots on the Friday morning of the long weekend, before heading back home and to work;
Pretty, eh?
I captured the sun rising and reflecting off the calm water - a perfect picture frame for the bow of Boogaboo;
Northward bound along the Severn River on Saturday morning;
Sit back and enjoy this 24 minute long trip up to The Waubic;
We have arrived;
Anchor Girl checks out the surroundings;
It was so windy when we got there that the dock we were tied to was actually being pushed sideways. So much so that the boat on the other side was almost hitting the next boat over. We ended up having to jamb both our boat (to the left in this picture) and our neighbour (to the right) as close in to shore as possible. We then had to tie off to the shore dock to stabilize the docks!
The 'On A Roll' crew joined us as well;
Went for a dinghy ride over to the Severn Falls town dock;
There is a small grocery store, complete with LCBO Agency outlet at the town dock;
Here's a shot of the restaurant deck from our flybridge;
I'll tell you this, if you go in really hungry, you will come out satisfied. The portions are huge and the food is all home made and REALLY good!
A look around the restaurant. A quaint spot;
First time I had one of these Flying Monkeys beers. Tasty and bottled locally in Barrie. Plus, the logo 'Normal Is Weird' feels right, too ;-)
You can see how close we had to squish into our neighbour;
A beautiful look of a beautiful setting. And I'm not referring to the docks or the boat ;-)
Ahh, an afternoon on the dock, enjoying a sip of Anchor Girl's piña colada - straight from a cup that was 'stolen' from the Deck bar in Fort Lauderdale;
More video from the weekend, complete with live music and a food review;
Monday morning started off as calm and sunny as could be;
Calm is an understatement;
The restaurant is closed on Mondays;
A lovely, slow cruise home;
Anchor Girl gets the lines ready as we approach Swift Rapids Lock;
On A Roll caught up to us in Sparrow Lake;
Severn River;
The weekend ended the way it started, with a glorious sunrise;
Closer to the end refers to the fact that this post - reviewing the end of our 2009 holidays - is closer to the end of this years' holidays than last. Oh well. Maybe if I could control all of my long winded stories that always accompany the photos, I could get this done quicker. Probably not though. I have enough I'm working hard on controlling, so one thing at a time.
Our final stay on The Bay was at a mid sized marina in Honey Harbour called Paragon Marina.I took this photo in a vain attempt to capture the feeling of the moment, knowing that the long anticipated holidays were rapidly winding down. I was feeling really good, despite the fact that the highlight of the year was almost over. I only wish I had taken a few more shots here, looking around at the lovely surroundings and the beautiful day - she sure was a nice one;
Right next to the marina is the Honey Harbour town docks, where A.G. & I rowed to to get some supplies. Yes, rowed. That darned Mercury outboard was once again being uncooperative, so it stayed on the dock while we rowed over here. Not too far anyway, only about 1000' or so from where Boogaboo was moored. Hopefully I'll have better luck with the new Yamaha. Funny thing about that deal is that the 'American' Mercury was built in Japan, while the 'Japanese' Yamaha was built in France, of all places.
This is what that looks like;
Saw this sign in the window of a building right beside the town dock and thought you might like to know what the fines are for various infractions;
This plaque is also next to the docks, commemorating the fact that the French explorer Samuel Champlain was the first European to visit this area, 400 years ago.
French explorer. French outboard. I see a pattern developing. Hmmmm. . . .
It was a gorgeous, hot day when we pulled out of Honey Harbour, so we took a slow tour down to Midland Harbour so that Sanja could get a feel for the location and to try her hand at some real navigating. That's right, once again I forced her to use her classroom skills to find our way back to the Potato Island Chanel (most of the way, at least) and lead us out of here. Remember, trust your charts . . .
Too bad you won't get a chance to put both experiences into play this summer, eh Captain? Probably no wonder, traveling with such a tough instructor as me :-)
After a bit of coaching and some help form A.G., we made it to the north cardinal buoy marking the entrance to the Potato Island Channel. Not that I was in any hurry - like I said, this was the very end of our time on The Bay and once through the channel there was only one lock separating us from this body of water.
The audio in this video is muffled by the wind, but you'll get the idea;
It sure was a nicer day coming back through Tug Channel and under the highway 400 overpass than when we came through the other way on the beginning of our voyage - but I'd trade the sunshine for another 3 weeks up here any day;
Anchor Girl waiting to help the approaching SunAria onto the blue line. Or not;
Looking back towards the lock;
Don't worry, I have video, too;
Immediately to the left of the top of the lock is a resort called The Inn At Christie's Mill, where we spent the night, reunited with the Water Wings crew. Yes, we even had dinner reservation there, as well.
After our experience here - even trying to book the slips was a chore - I can highly recommend to NEVER, EVER GO THERE! Being self employed I believe I have a certain sense of customer service. This place doesn't even know the concept and it shows in spades.
After all the crap of checking in and trying to find shore power AND a shower (and ending up going for a swim shower behind the boat), we all headed over to the restaurant for our dinner engagement. Beside a menu that featured such delicacies as 'Loin of Elk', we decided that a walk over the lock to the Rawley Resort was the better option.
If you don't believe me, listen to what these satisfied customers had to say;
All smiles now as the gang heads into the Rawley - conveniently located right across the street form the LCBO;
At last - an enjoyable sit down dinner with our friends to celebrate another GREAT holiday on The Bay!
I know it's hard to take your eyes off the rest of the scenery, but if you look closely at the two mugs at either side of this photo you'll notice that our shirts match the upholstery. What a coincidence. And I thought they were just kidding when they told me to 'get stuffed';
The Maple Leaf gang bid us farewell as pass by.
Looking forward to hooking up with you guys on The Bay in a few short months. Remember - it's 'Point Au Baril or Bust'!!
Looking back to SunAria passing through the Little Chute. And this is a scary spot??
On the blue line waiting for the big water train to take us back to the top of the hill.
Gotta go - my sandwich is coming;
Our final stay for the year would be our first time anchoring at Chief Island on Lake Couchiching. One more spot to put on the list to avoid. Sorry, but I guess we were spoiled with our time at the quiet, natural anchorages of Georgian Bay because the first thing I noticed when we dropped the hook here was the friggen road traffic noise coming from highway 11 across the lake. If I want annoying urban noise on the water, I might as well go to Orillia for the night;
The gals gabbing on the back of the boats.
Tomorrow we'll be home :-(
And that's it.
As the chartplotter witnesses, a round trip (including a second trip to Parry Sound for an emergency pump out) totaling 346.9 statute miles.
For 2010, I hope to add about 50 - 100 miles to that total. . .
Now that we're done with this review, I'd love to hear (read) your comments . . . Otherwise, you'll be doomed to seeing much of the same next winter.
