Day 19 - 7/14/24

We made it to Canada!

Today was a long sail from St. Ignace to Whiskey Bay in Canada. We needed to refuel and pump out before we left and were second in line at the fuel dock so we got going around 9:30. A little overcast but a nice downwind sail. Cory captained for the first three hours and did a great job. Eventually the winds died and the heat took over and we wanted to make it before 1am so we turned on the iron genny (or the ice cream truck as the kids call it because engine=free recharge and they come running to the station as if they heard an ice cream truck ).

As we turned in to DeTour passage we passed a beautiful lighthouse that actually had a full time light keeper living on it! It was so cool as he stepped out to watch us pass and even shouted out how beautiful our boat was. I have to admit living in a lighthouse like that would be fun….

As soon as we passed DeTour passage we were officially in the North Channel! And there are islands everywhere. The water is crystal clear and the wildlife is already abundant with us watching a bald eagle catch a fish as we motored by.

Richard then had fun motoring right on the USA/Canada border before making our final turn in for the night. I raised our yellow quarantine flag and after anchor was set Richard went to shore to clear customs. It took an hour and $250 in duty tax but we are set (they only let in 1 case of beer or 1 bottle of wine per adult, regardless of the the duration etc). We had taken our ship stores from over 30L to 23L but oh well, we are from Wisconsin and I really like my night cap G&T.

I played Last Post at 9pm as that is more customary here and then we finally got Kona to shore for a much needed potty. Met a few locals here but this check in point is litterly just a small seasonal campground so there wasn’t much to see and do. With one more long day ahead of us we called it an evening making it to bed before midnight after laughing and hanging out with the kids over overly taxed Gin.