Great Loop: Ending Our Canadian Segment on a High Note

Lighthouse near Little Current Ontario

Little Current

We tied to the City Wall in Little Current and walked into town to re-provision at the local market.  Everything you might need is available within easy walking distance and at "normal" prices. You can ask the Harbor Master if you can tie up on the east end of the wall by the stairs that lead to the super market.  This will make your return trip easier if you are heavily laden with provisions.

Little Current's waterfront has successfully transitioned from it's industrial beginnings to support of recreational boaters

The city wall is quite long with plenty of room for visiting boats.

Fuel and pump out are available.

The Benjamin Islands

After leaving Little Current we headed west to the Benjamin Islands.  These are located along the northern edge of Georgian Bay

We found a nice protected cove in which we dropped our bow anchor and then tied a line from the stern of the boat to shore.  By doing so, we restrained the orientation of the boat so it wouldn't swing into shallower water.

Shortly after we arrived, our friends on Selah Way anchored nearby.  They invited us over for a rousing game of dominoes - Mexican Train!  We had a ton of fun, but did not conclude the game till midnight!  It was worth it....

Sunset over the Benjamin Islands

Blind River

From the Benjamin Islands we cruised to the small town of Blind River.  This is a former forest products town that is struggling to find it's next industry.  

In this photo we are about to transit Little Detroit Cut between two islands.  The current was swift and there was insufficient room for two boats to pass safely.  As a result, boaters are asked to make a "Sécurité" call on VHF channel 16 advising other boaters you are entering the channel.  

Along our way we stopped in the town of Spanish for diesel fuel and a pump out.  They had the lowest prices in the area.  It was not a candidate for an overnight though.  Town was quite small and without the services that boaters need.  The marina and cheap fuel was the main attraction.  

The afternoon clouds filled the sky over the islands in this area

We never tired of looking at the water, clouds and terrain.  Protected anchorages could be found on the Lee side of these islands

We saw in our rear view mirror that rain was falling from one cloud

Once we docked in Blind River, we walked into town.  Here we see a park in town with a lovely sandy beach.

At least half of the store fronts in town were un-occupied.  The town was clean, but clearly looking for a way to return to prosperity. We stopped in the Mustang Grill.  It was the only bar we could find that was open.  Inside, a half a dozen locals were sitting on bar stools.  There were two pool tables, the light was dim and all eyes were turned our direction.  I immediately asked if they had cold beer.  That seemed to break the ice.  The first question we got was "Are you from the marina?"  I don't think they get too many out of town visitors.  I replied yes.  Well it turned out the first three people at the bar were all boaters.  One had been a delivery captain and made 50 round trips from Canada to Fort Lauderdale. So we talked boats.  The next fellow had run a pool service in Scottsdale Arizona and moved back to Blind River.  He enjoyed visiting family on Lake Como in Italy.  They patrons were all looking forward to later in the evening when it would be Bingo night at the Mustang Grill.  The pot was $1000 and people could participate live or remotely via the local cable channel.  So while Blind River may be down on it's luck, it still had a pulse and things which it anticipated with optimism.

The Blind River Marina had recently been upgraded, with the help of government grants, in the hopes of attracting recreational and sport fishing boaters to town.  It is a lovely spot.  However the boating season is only 4 months long.  Once the lake freezes, the locals will drive snowmobiles down the boat launch ramp and out onto the ice to pursue ice-fishing.

Thessalon

Our final stop in Canada was to the town of Thessalon.  Here we visited a Sonoma County friend who has a family cabin on a nearby lake.  We spend two nights visiting and getting caught up.

Here are Jill and Beth on the deck of her cabin.

Jill took a selfie of herself, Beth, Mike and Bryant

Here's a shot of Jill and Bryant inside the cabin.

We also went canoeing and explored the lake in Jill's speed boat.

Here's a picture of the cabin from out in the lake

Thank you Jill and Bryant for a wonderful visit!

Our last night in Canada was highlighted by a beautiful sunset.

The Canadian portion of our voyage was the highlight of the loop.  

We passed through over 100 locks in our travels and visited so many wonderful locations.

Would we return?  In a heartbeat.  It was such a great experience.

Detour Michigan - Our Return to the USA

First landfall back in the USA

We spent the night at Detour State Harbor

The Harbor Master's Office

We cleared USA Customs using the CPB ROAM Smartphone App.

There is a Customs Kiosk in the Harbor Masters Office as an alternative.

Option 1:  Fine Dining within walking distance of the marina

Option 2:  Fine Dining within walking distance of the Marina

First sunrise back in the USA

Sunrise at Detour State Harbor

Sunrise over the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave

Amy Marie is once again flying the flag of the USA from her mast

The Detour Reef Lighthouse

Thank You USCG!

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Berthing

After leaving Killarney, we only stopped twice until we re-entered the United States at Detour Michigan.

Stop 1:  The Benjamin Islands

• This is a beautiful anchorage.  If you check the charts, there are many spots to drop the hook
• Also consider Croker island.  That is were we anchored in a sweet little cove only suitable for shallow draft boats.
• There are no services in the Benjamins, just uninterrupted solitude!

Stop 2:  Blind River

• Clean Marina, showers, restrooms, small cafe, fuel, pump out
• New docks with 30 & 50 amp power
• Some dining options in town

Stop 3:  Thessalon (Last Canadian Port)

• The Thessalon Municipal Marina is quite nice.  They had gas, no diesel and a pump out.
• They had good WiFi in their boaters lounge.  The showers and restrooms were also located in this building and were clean with plenty of hot water.

Stop 4:  Detour Michigan (First Port of Call in USA)

• Clean Marina, showers, restrooms, fuel, laundry, pump out, picnic area
• A Customs Kiosk for clearing USA Customs

Track Log

Killarney to the Benjamin Islands

Benjamin Islands to Blind River

Blind River to Thessalon

Thessalon Ontario to Detour Michigan United States of America