Thursday, Friday --- June 27-28, 2013 -- Day 26/27 -- 36 miles / 644 total

8 a.m. departure to Lac La Belle.  A little fog rolled through the marina, but soon cleared and we set out.  The lake was calm as we proceeded from Big Bay out into Superior.



Fog lifting as we left Big Bay.









Day Dreams in the light fog.

We thought the fog was gone, but about halfway to our next port it descended again.  It would stick with us all the way, with visibility less than a quarter mile.  At times we completely lost Day Dreams right behind us.  It was a bit nerve wracking going into unknown territory blind, but electronics are a wonderful thing!  As we neared the canal entrance into Lac La Belle, first the green marker buoy appeared out of the haze and then the markers for the canal ---- whewwwwwww!

We emerged from the canal into Lac La Belle --- what a beautiful anchorage!



On the hook, ski lifts on the mountain to our left.






There are also new state docks at the end of the lake.  We launched the dinghies and checked it out, but decided to remain at anchor.  There were no amenities -- no power and just pit toilets --- better facilities on our boats!



We continued our dinghy cruise back out toward the canal entrance to take in the lighthouse.  There was no time for pictures when negotiating the channel in the fog on our way in, duh!



We missed it on arrival!

Rough life, Captain!

.












Our dinghy cruise completed, we went back to the boats to chill.  Garry grilled some nice filets and we watched a pair of deer feeding along the shore.


First wildlife other than loons.

 Then we watched the fog roll back in over the mountain -- 



Time to call it a night.



How bad could it be?????



Friday morning Garry dinghied off to his "office" on the porch of the Lac La Belle Resort for his regular 9 AM call.  When he got back, it was time for a hike.  We left the dinghies tied up at the state dock and set out.  There was a marked trail just up from the dock, so off we went.  The trail took us to the foot of one of the 2 ski runs we had seen from the boats.

                    

Let's just hike up there!

   

Well, we made it up the first little rise and decided it might be better to go back to the trail and work our way around!  As we followed the trail, we came across the ski resort --- no lodge, just a collection of "yurts".  They look like round heavy canvas camp tents, but to our surprise they housed a bar, ski/kayak/hiking shop and the ski patrol.  We found out the ski resort is all expert (no wonder that hill looked so big!) and they are opening this summer for the first time for hiking and kayaking.  So we got directions for the route to the top and away we went.   



We made it to the top!



                                                                    



The view was amazing.









Four weary (and thirsty) hikers dingied back to Waterford for a hard earned cocktail!




Each stop along the way has been better than the last ---- how much better can it get?  We'll keep you posted!