Mike and Kathy-Beautiful day
07/22/2007, Gore Bay, Ontario-Manitoulin Island

Vidal Bay was perfectly calm over night. I tied on a mepps and made a few casts before coffee but nothing was interested. We got underway about 8:00 heading for Gore Bay. Seas remained calm and the traffic was nonexistent so I decided to begin the process of shining up the cabin sides and brow. I started by sanding everything with 320 grit on and then switched to 800, followed by rubbing compound on the wheel. Finally I applied some hard wax by hand. It doesn't look new but is certainly a huge improvement. I'm happy with the system and have lots more to do when we get the chance.

Kathy worked out, did dishes, cleaned the head (bathroom), and took a shower.

Gore bay was hopping.. There are new docks since the last time we were here and the marina has doubled in size. We took the dingy to shore and walked to town which consists of three blocks of stores: a bank, two drug stores, two hardware stores, one grocery store, misc. shops and two eating establishments.

Another beautiful day!



Sorry about that

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Mike
07/21/2007, Vidal Bay, Ontario

This morning I tried casting from the boat. We were in about 15 feet of water and I could see the tops of pickerel weeds but nothing seemed to be interested . After a nice breakfast and two pots of coffee we set out at about 8:15. As we mentioned yesterday, the area north of Drummond Island is a maze of islands. Our job this morning was finding our way out. Even with GPS, we kept one finger on the map as we passed one island after another looking for markers as we headed northeast toward open water. Once clear of the maze, we set a course for Meldrum Bay, 25 miles to the east. Sailing was out of the question with winds of 2 knots or less most of the morning. Clearing customs in Meldrum Bay consists of pulling into the marina and entering a room with a table one chair and a phone. There are no direction, so it made sense to pick up the phone. A customs lady began asking exactly the same questions that we've all had to answer at border crossings. After giving our MC numbers and other pertinent information I was finished. We really wanted to stay for awhile to check out their one store (I'm sure they had bait) but our bow pulpit was blocking the entry to a slip and a rather large fishing boat was waiting for us to leave.

We shoved off and began our search for an evening anchorage. The next bay to the east looked promising so we worked our way slowly through some shallow, boulder strewn water to Vidal Bay, a perfect spot with no sign of civilization for miles. I got the pole out again and cut a sliver of bacon fat to tip a 1/8th ounce jig. I had a few hits... small perch shaking my bait , but once again failed to catch dinner. We were entertained by a pair of loons and an osprey while grilling pork tenderloin for dinner.

Depending on the wind direction we will either go east to Gore Bay for bait and ice or north to Whalesback Channel.

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