Catching up --- July 30 - Aug 8 thru day 68 1224 total miles

Finally, we have wifi again so we can catch you up on our travels since July 29.  The signal is slow, so I can't put in as many pics as usual, but hope to give you the highlights.

We joined Day Dreams on Isle Royale in Windigo on Monday July 29 about 2 pm.  We deployed the dinghy, picked up Doug and Jan and went to the Ranger station to register. 



After catching up on the week's activities, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

The lake welcomed us back in spectacular fashion!








Tuesday after a rainy start, we dinghied out to a shipwreck just outside the entrance to the harbor.  The "glass bottom bucket" was put to good use again.  It's amazing how so many of these wrecks occur so close to a harbor or just off the target route.

After lunch, we set out to find the elusive moose...............  to no avail.  Mary, we will see one before our trip is over!


But we had a lovely 4 mile hike and, to our delight, we found ripe thimbleberries.  These luscious berries abound up here, but because of the cold late spring/summer, these are the first ripe ones we've come across.  They are a very fragile, delicious cross between a strawberry and raspberry -- mmmmmmm

Wednesday July 31 - Day 60

We woke to FOG again at the 6:30 check in.  But by 8:30, conditions had improved and we set out with Day Dreams in the lead.  Though we had a little light rain, the fog lifted and we arrived safely in Thunder Bay, Ontario about 2 pm at the fuel dock for pump outs before moving to our assigned docks.  Allizan pulled in just behind us, so all 3 Krogens were "in the house".  We spent 2 days in Thunder Bay provisioning, doing laundry, boat washing, and finding plenty of time for cocktails and dinner in area restaurants. 

Friday Aug 2 

We left Thunder Bay at 8:30 am bound for Loon Harbor, a favorite of Bonnie Dahl, author of the Lake Superior book we are living by these days.  It didn't disappoint.  We pulled in about 2:30 and anchored in a lovely spot with Day Dreams in the next little cove - perfect, for now.  There was a bit of rain after we got settled, but once the rain passed, it was calm, quiet and beautiful.  And then 2 sailboats arrived ------- with all the room in this harbor, they proceeded to drop anchor as close as possible   WHY?  We would be joined by yet another sailboat on Saturday, a regular convention!

Saturday we enjoyed exploring by dinghy followed by a beach fire and s'mores -- couldn't be better.

Sunday Aug 4



Yes those are the treeTOPS!

We left the crowd at Loon Harbor at 10 am with Doug in the lead.  Our destination was Otter Cove, a short 10 mile run.  Day Dreams anchored in close to the mouth of the stream that feeds the lake and we were able to anchor just out from them.  What a great spot!  We deployed the dinghy and Day Dreams their kayak to head upstream to the waterfall.  We had to tie up on the side and hike to the top -- about a 400 ft. drop -- awesome!  From the top of the falls, we continued on a tough couple of miles to a beautiful inland lake that was actually warm enough to wade in.

Otter Cove is also known for great fishing, so Garry had to get the old pole out and give it a try.  No luck on the first evening, but he had great luck the next morning.  We had a wonderful lake trout dinner!



And then ............. Moose alert! 








Jan spied a moose in the stream, so we jumped in the dinghy and rowed up into the stream to take a look.  Sure enough, there she was.






We've run out of adjectives to describe this amazing Lake, it's shoreline, islands, and wildlife.  So we just called this a 3-Star Day ---- 2 fish and a moose!

Tuesday Aug 6    Happy Birthday Garry

We had planned to move on, but fog did us in again.  Oh darn, we have to stay another day in this gorgeous spot!  Allizan had pulled into the harbor earlier and joined us for cocktails.  The Jan did a wonderful lambchop dinner and I made the famous shortcake with strawberries.

Wednesday Aug 7

The fog is gone and we left on a beautiful morning for Woodbine Harbor.  We were anchored in this lovely spot in early afternoon and just chilled.  Doug and Jan explored by kayak and we just hung out on the boat reading, napping and enjoying the scenery.

Thursday Aug 8

We left Woodbine Harbor at 8 am bound for Rossport Harbor, just 15 miles away.  We did make a stop at Battle Island, where we rafted off Day Dreams anchored in the bay.





We hiked up to the lighthouse for some spectacular photos and views of Lake Superior before continuing to Rossport.

The lighthouse is perched on this high bluff with a panoramic view of the lake.

Had to capture this rare moment ---- rafting together on anchor and both Jan and I in the photo!



When we'd seen all the sights on Battle Island, it was time to make the short hop over to Rossport.
We pulled into the dock for pump outs and to fill our water tanks before we work our way along the northeast shore back to the Soo. 

Garry got to talking with one of the locals at the dock and before we knew it, he had offered the use of his van.  So we took off for a neighboring town where Garry got his Canadian fishing license and Jan and I got some last minute provisions at the local grocery. Tom (van man) and Shelley, John and Jo and 4 of their friends joined us later for docktails.  We enjoyed meeting and talking with them until the rain put an end to the party.  It is the people we have met along the way that have helped to make this trip so special.

Tomorrow we set out on the last leg of the Lake Superior portion of the trip, the northeast shore.  We will have very limited cellphone or wifi, if at all.  So our next post may be from the Soo in a couple of weeks.  Until then .......................

Thanks for following our adventure.