Day 395 – Shotgun Harbor to Killbear Marina, Nobel, Ontario - August 4, 2012

We were going to get a leisurely start this morning and not worry about getting to Killbear Marina until later in the day, but the weather report got us moving earlier.  The wind is supposed to pick up this afternoon and we’d rather travel (and dock) in less wind.  It was an easy trip today, mostly along the small-craft route and its alternates which keeps you close to shore and takes you in between and around some of the islands that give this area its name, the Thirty Thousand Islands.  There was only one set of buoys that worried me as there was barely enough room for Boreas to pass between the red and green marks (there would not have been room for even a canoe on either side), but as usual, the captain wasn’t concerned and we got through without any issues.

We arrived at Killbear Marina before the wind got too serious and we were safely tied in our slip (with the air conditioner running as the temperature is over 90 degrees) long before the rain started.  We did watch lots of boats arrive here in the afternoon as the winds kicked up and the clouds got more ominous.  The marina isn’t full yet, but there were plenty of boats seeking shelter from the storms.  Except for the lack of internet (which means the blog doesn’t get posted), Killbear Marina is a great place to spend a few days.

There is a weather pattern that needs to move through the area before we head north again, so Fred is planning a number of different travel options.  The options are based on how many days of good weather in a row we will have.  I am voting for a stop with internet and laundry in our near future, but I’m willing to go where the weather allows.

            Miles: 19.8      Bridges: 0        Locks: 0

leaving Shotgun Harbor - my favorite scenery - rocks and trees

at every turn there are more small rock islands

this was the set of buoys that made me nervous - there was barely enough
room for Boreas to pass between the red and green

looking back at the "scary" spot - it doesn't look any wider after we
have passed through

you have to look to the sides of the waterway, not just in front or you
will miss the small cuts between rocks that are beautiful

it surprises me that someone was able to put a small-craft route in place - this
is what it looks like to me most of the time - I'd be lost without the buoys

looking through another cut at mroe islands beyond