Exploring McGregor Bay
I allowed myself to sleep in a little. I was up and having my tippity tap tap time by 9am but because I hadn’t posted the day before I had a bit more uploading time then I wanted. I got frustrated enough that my pictures from 6/16 didn’t get captions nor do I think I got them all uploaded. By the time I was done with both days it was near noon and I was done with computers mentally. Captain had made us breakfast and cleaned up for me which was super nice of him. The weather was nice, not as clear as Thursday, but way better then Wednesday. I knew the flotilla group wanted to go on a dinghy exploration for the day and as I looked at the time in frustration the fear of missing out hit me. Thankfully the other two boats had a lazy morning as well. The kids were a little stir crazy, but that was about it. It seemed that everyone was packing a picnic and loading up to go on an adventure. We did the same.
We unloaded our gas motor for the dinghy for the first time this year. We don’t use it often, but for days like today is why we have it. We have to use the main halyard to lift the motor and use it like a crane to lower it down. It works pretty well and after Captain saw our friends go super-fast and get their boats on plane with their 15 horse motors, he was pretty convinced that we need more power then our 5 horses. If we have an easy way to life 5, we can lift 15! Hee hee. I love boat math. I like having a fast dinghy that isn’t necessarily dependent on solar days like our electric motor.
By 12:15 the crews of Lucia, Arabesque and Ciara Madeline were off on our days adventure. We took our boats up the narrow passages of McGregor Bay. There were many adorable camps down on the south side where we were but as we headed north into Crown land they were replaced by campsites up on the hillsides. Our friends were well ahead of us as we chugged along. Our first stop was Lighting Bay. Not sure what the real name is, but that was the official name given by Lucia as they were anchored there last year when lighting struck a tree just off shore from them. They actually saw it strike. It made the kids cry. It made John hit the deck in his natural reaction making Michelle think HE got struck. The tree blew pieces all over the bay and smoldered. We went to go visit the tree which has since drooped over in a twist that follows where the strike had maneuvered itself to ground. It was a neat to see and also terrifying.
After that we continued north to find a very small cut in the waterway. According to the charts, this was land, however some locals, a long time ago, decided they really wanted to get their small fishing boats from the main bay into the inland lake 150 feet away. So, they blasted it out! What was left is a very shallow lazy river. We rowed our dinghies through the passage and then beached them on the rock. The kids and adults spent a few hours enjoying shrimp cocktails and other snacks on shore and floating with swim diapers (life jackets worn as pants) up and down the river. Captain took some drone footage and learned how to launch and land the drone with his hand rather than on the ground thanks to help from John. Kona played fetch, of course.
On our return our friends left us in their wakes. We enjoyed our slower return. We can bring Ciara way up here and if we did, we could go days without seeing any other boaters. A true gunkhole haven for sure. I am in love with seclusion.
The kids invited Cory over to Lucia to go fishing for the afternoon. Captain and I took a much-needed nap as I have been running hard for about a week now. Cory caught three fish! I think each kid caught at least two. Apparently, you don’t need to know how to fish up here, you just put a line in the water and you have dinner. Cory caught a 16-inch bass.
We made teriyaki chicken and fried rice for dinner. Our freeze-dried chicken isn’t coming back as nicely as we like and I’m glad we didn’t offer to share with our friends. They all had fish for dinner. I’m proud how far I’ve come with my food pickiness, but I still can’t do fish. I’m working on sushi… :D
The rains started in the early evening and by the time we were done with dinner and dishes it was pouring. We waited for a break in the rain and took Kona to shore about 8:30. I came back to Ciara to play Last Post just a hair early so we could join everyone on Arabesque for the evening. I played beautifully and just as we were loading to head over some folks on the other sail boat here called over and asked me to play it again as they didn’t realize what I was doing and really wanted to record it. I made a small frack, but it was nice to do an encore, even if it was a bit awkward.
Cory was going to stay on Ciara and not join us but we had decided to take a few fancy cheeses over to share and that was enough for them to join us. Ah, teenagers and food. Works every time. We had a lovely evening relaxing on Arabesque in their screened in cockpit.
The weather tomorrow is crap so we intend on finally having that down day. My book is calling. I think both boats are staying one more day as well and sadly our flotilla may be breaking up afterwards. Arabesque has to start heading home to Michigan and Lucia also has to start thinking about getting home as well. I will make some plans tomorrow after we chat with our Quebec friends who are scheduled to join us next week. The fires are playing a part and I fear they may not come. I don’t blame them. The roads between here and there are subject to close if any winds change and the likeness. I guess we will adjust our sails to the winds of change either way.
