Soo to Gore Bay on North Channel

This stretch includes a quick overview of the Soo locks; passage down the St. Mary's River dodging ships; my last night in the U.S. at anchor; first Canadian harbor (Meldrum Bay); and my current location (Gore Bay, Manitoulin Is., North Channel, Ontario, Canada). 

Chart of Soo area, Canadian lock is the small one to north, U.S. Locks are the larger lower ones.  You can see the backtracking (3 nm) I had to do to shift from the Canadian lock down to the U.S. locks. My passage was east to west, downbound.

Power plant generating electricity from water bypassing the locks

 

Upper St. Mary's River - Downbound Is Red Color

First upbound ship to pass in a wide spot

Downbound ship passing close in the cut, the narrowest channel. 

Yes, he is cutting across my bow because I'm rounding a buoy and he is going into the narrower channel.  I've been hugging the starboard side and he was hugging the port side of a wide spot now narrowing.

They can get really close, uncomfortably so!

Corp of Engineers dredging fleet parked

I like the baby tug!

Round Island Light (private) midway down the St. Mary's River

 Lower St. Mary's River - Anchoring Harbor Is.

Out kayaking in the evening, inner harbor at Harbor Island, last U.S. anchorage

 Soo to Harbor Island, 06/28, 41.7 NM - Last USA Stop

Behind the boat is the old house site, see story below:

Site of the house of a legendary Englishman named Church who was reputed to be a graduate of Oxford and Leipzig but who, for reasons of his own, chose the solitary life and lived there until about 1910 with his Native-American wife, with whom he raised five stalwart sons. It is said that the American novelist Stewart White wrote some of his books while visiting his friend Church. Later, a cottage was constructed on the clearing at the entrance to the inner harbor.

The island was purchased by the Nature Conservancy, now managed by the National Wildlife Service

A contrast in boat styles in the outer harbor

 Harbor Is. to Meldrum Bay, Ontario - 06/29 - 34.8 NM

First Canadian Port - Meldrum Bay

I was over the limits on both wine and beer supplies and hoped I would not get boarded and checked upon arrival.  I was told it would be unlikely there would be any customs present. 

Wouldn't you know I go up to the hotel/restaurant for dinner and who is sitting there but the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) and Customs eating dinner! 

They finished eating, said hello on the way out.  I watched as they went down to the harbor and checked each boat where folks were aboard.  Needless to say I took my time eating my dinner until they left!

Enjoyed talking with the mother and daughter who owned the hotel/restaurant and store respectively.  The family is transplanted from San Francisco, CA.  The mother is Canadian, the father U.S. citizen.  They purchased the place sight unseen were desperate to get away from the rat race!  It is in a town of 50!  Definitely, no rate race here. The picture you see above is the whole town!

Looking out on the anchorage, tied up to the gas dock

Another contrast in boat types

But there is only one Dash

 Meldrum Bay to Gore Bay - 06/30 - 31.2 NM

Janet Head Light - Entrance to Gore Bay
30 NM east of Meldrum Bay.

Gore Bay Marina & Charters (Both Sail and Power)

Looking out on anchorage-town docks in foreground

The Pavilion - Cafe, Ice Cream, & Gifts

Lots of nice dock space and home of a charter fleet

Gore Bay is a more substantial community with plenty of services, and a variety of stores including: marine , hardware, grocery, pharmacies, banks, etc. 

I will stay for Canada Day today and head to Little Current tomorrow.  Supposed to be some celebrations and fireworks.