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Terry And Randy Clarke
Terry And Randy Clarke

Terry And Randy Clarke

Since retiring we are trying to explore as many places as possible without rushing through any of them. Read more🇨🇦Bright's Grove
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  • Terry And Randy ClarkeIrelandTraveler
    Our drive from Doolin to Galway via The Burren
    Roads were two lane but tiny two lanes. These busses are huge.Just spectacular views.We stopped at the Aillwee Burren Experience to see this area up closeLori is still in flip-flops even in the Burren.Wild areaI'm always the short one.Salthill area of Galway. Check out the right side of the building. Randy loved this.Ducked in to The Office to get out of the rain and spent the afternoon betting on the horsesWe were at the Listowel race track on Sunday. We were too early for the races so we enjoyed on tvThe winning ticketsSalthill GalwayWe had dinner at The GalleonOur little hotel. Small but very nice.The pub we spent the afternoon watching and betting on races.Crazy pub Randy called Crackerbarrel on drugsWaterfront in SalthillO'Connors pub in Salthill. The fire was wonderful.So much stuff.

    Salthill

    Sep 25–26, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We drove through the Burren on our way from Doolin to Galway. It is a very unique part of County Clare with stunning views of a very diverse landscape. We stopped for a walk to see the landscape up close. It was so beautiful. The drive was interesting, too. We were on a road called Corkscrew Hill passing tour buses and tractors. We would pull over into the bushes as far as we could and wait for them to pass. As we got closer to Galway, it started to pour. Our hotel was in Salthill, a beachfront area of Galway, and about a 15-minute walk to the historical center of the city. We parked by the beach and tried to get into our hotel early, but no luck. We were waiting for a cab to go into the city center and it started raining really hard. We were cold and wet, so we headed into the pub beside our hotel. What a good decision. Friendly bartenders and patrons made us welcome. Horse racing was on the big screen, and several patrons were betting. We were surprised to see the races were in Listowel. Randy and Mike ran down to the closest bookie, and each placed bets. Mike won in the first race and Randy in the second. We cashed in and blew the money on pints. The weather didn't improve so we decided to stay in the neighborhood. We had a nice dinner across from our hotel and then visited OConnors Pub for traditional music. The pub was very unique. It was old and very quirky, filled with so many weird things. Randy said it was like Crackerbarrel on drugs. There were several fireplaces, and our table was a sewing machine. It was our last night with Mike and Lori. We are taking them to the train station tomorrow. We've been calling Randy Rip for all you Yellowstone fans. We met some fellow Canadians and other people from Maryland. We didn't get to see much of Galway, but we did enjoy our visit.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeIrelandTraveler
    Crab Island from the Doolin Pier. Grey, cool day but not much rain
    1Mike and Lori waiting for our boat trip.I think this was called the Hags HeadA different view of the Hags HeadThe Cliffs of Moher from the water on a cold windy day.Warming up at Fitz's Pub. A few doors down from our cottage.The Cliffs of Moher by land on a warm sunny day.OBrians Tower at the Cliffs of Moher.We dressed for the previous days weather. Coat off, then hoodie offThe Cliffs of Moher are a must see.1Obrians Tower behind us.Lahinch Beach. Although it was calm there were surf lessons taking placeCornerstone Pub.Our walk from the cottage to Gus OConnors Pub. The cows on the right were hanging over the wall.Our entertainment at Fitz's. Great singer even with a cold.Beautiful Cliffs of Moher and my handsome husband.Gorgeous day.The water was calm and no wind at all.The cattle and sheep in this pasture had their own ruins. Our walk to old town.We had a 3 bedroom cottage in New Doolin for 2 nights.

    Cliffs of Moher

    Sep 23–25, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    The drive to Doolin was a little easier, most of the way was on national roads and even some time on a motorway. Randy was still not 100%, so we were grateful for a bit of a break for him. We booked a 45-minute cruise to see the cliffs from the water, but Randy stayed behind and tried to nap in the car. It was cold, grey, and windy, so a boat ride didn't appeal to him. It was really interesting to see the cliffs from the water, and Lori, Mike, and I enjoyed the cruise. Afterward, we warmed up in Fitz's Pub while we waited for our cottage to be ready. We went back there for dinner and to listen to music later that night. The cottage worked well. It had 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, so there was plenty of room. It had a washer and a drying rack, so we were able to catch up on our laundry. Day two, we went to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center and spent a couple of hours exploring. There were at least 20 tour buses and hordes of people, but we still were able to enjoy the beautiful views. We drove a little further south to a pretty little surf town called Lahinch for lunch. Cornerstone Pub was a quaint old spot with a friendly and entertaining bartender who kept us laughing. Dylan was a native of Lahinch, and he thinks it's the best spot in all of Ireland. Surfing is his passion, and it's a great place to surf. Later that day, we walked into Old Doolin to Gus OConnors Pub for traditional music. It was a nice walk there and back. We passed a friendly donkey and a pasture with cows and horses. We had cows behind our cottage, too. We woke up to them calling for their breakfast. We really enjoyed our stay in Doolin.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeIrelandTraveler
    Randy are you sure this is a road? Short cut in Listowel
    Listowel was a lovely town and we enjoyed a few hours exploring. Tidy Towns is a big deal here.The ruins of Listowel Castle, the racetrack was just behind it.Beautiful hotel with gorgeous flowers. It was furnished with period pieces, guests were dressed up.The view from the patio was amazing. We'd walked that bridge to the track.The town square was busy when services let out from both churches.Bunratty Folk Park was interesting. There were displays of country life from historical times.There was a village and rural displays and people in period dress. 2024 tourists.The castle was impressive. We had to climb steep winding staircases to see each level.Lots of climbing stairs so it was nice to sit.1Sheaf tossing competition. Randy told someone it was sheep tossing.Our hotel was beautiful and the gardens so colourful

    Are We In Listowel?

    Sep 22–23, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We left Dingle heading to Bunratty and drove the stunning Connor Pass. It was another of those winding narrow roads with sheer drops a few feet from the car. We didn't get to see those views, though, as we were driving through thick fog. It was not a fun drive, but Randy did a great job. Once we were back on level ground, the fog lifted, and the sun even came out. We'd noticed on the map that there was a town called Listowel, so we decided to stop on the way to our destination, Bunratty. Randy grew up in the Listowell Ontario area, so we couldn't resist. It was a pretty town with lots to see. It was the first day of Race Week and the Harvest Festival, so there was so much going on. We saw the race track, the Writers Museum, and the castle. I wish we had more time here. We went on to Bunratty Castle and Folkpark for their Harvest Festival, and the rain held off long enough for us to visit. Randy had caught a bug and wasn't feeling good, so he was happy to check into our hotel. He did a great job today on a challenging drive, even feeling bad.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeIrelandTraveler
    Tigh Furlow our apartment in Dingle. Beautiful accommodation.
    Two ensuite bedrooms, a nice great room and lots of outdoor space.We met the owner of this beauty while wandering the waterfront.Pub in Dingle enjoying trad music.The musicians we were enjoying.Later that night in the Dingle Pub, great music and great people.Our beach walk on Slea Head.It was low tide on a beautiful sand beach. The seaweed left amazing patterns in the sandThis whole building is made of stone even the roof.4000 year old stone huts.Pretty Dingle at night.The Blasket IslandsBeautiful scenery on the Slea Head drive.The most westerly pub in Ireland.Slea Head drive.

    The Dingle Peninsula

    Sep 20–22, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Dingle was such a great stop on our trip. Our accommodations. Tigh Furlow exceeded our expectations. The owners did a wonderful job building this apartment at the back of their property. It was a bit of a walk into town, but that meant it was so peaceful, and we even heard the sheep. Our first night, Moira drove us into town and pointed out the best places. She dropped us off at the waterfront, and we started exploring. We had a nice dinner and then hit the pubs. We heard some great music and met some interesting people. We decided to walk the 1.5 kilometers home along the dark country road, and it was an adventure on its own. We did the Slea Head drive the following day, and the scenery was unbelievable. We stopped at Carhoo Bay Beach for a long beach walk and then checked out Dunbeg Fort. We wandered around Cashel Murphy, a collection of stone beehive huts that is thought to be over 4000 years old. We dropped into the most westerly pub in Ireland, Kruegars of Dunquin, for a late lunch. There were two Hen Parties and one Stag there, so great people watching. All three parties were on buses so they were free to really enjoy themselves. We wandered around Dingle that evening, and all the pubs and restaurants were packed. It really is a wonderful place.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeIrelandTraveler
    1Kenmore Stone Circle was an interesting stop
    We had a nice walk around the town of Kenmore.The view from the bridge in SneemThe view from our off road adventure was worth the scary drive.The wider part of the road where Randy was able to turn around.Very rugged and beautiful.Not even paved in parts.We couldn't get down to this beach unfortunately.The Skellig Ring was mostly single lane with lots of curves.We walked into town from our B&B and enjoyed dinner and drinks.The view from our B&B. We walked the beach in the morning.This cat joined us on our walk and insisted on lots of attention.Our B&B from the beach. The tree was impressive.Inch Beach.Perfect beach day.We didn't bring any summer clothes. Not even a pair of flip flops.One more picture of our scary driveThe view from our accommodations in KnightstownSt Mary's Cathedral in KilarneyInch Beach

    The Ring of Kerry

    Sep 19–20, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We had originally planned on driving the Ring of Kerry in one day, but after experiencing the Irish roads, we decided to take two days. We booked a B&B in Knights Town on Valentia Island to break up the day. Our first stop was Kenmore, where we checked out a stone circle that dates back to 2200 to 500 BC. It's one of the largest stone circles in southwest Ireland. Our next stop, after some beautiful scenery and many tour buses, was Sneem. We walked around the colorful little town and browsed in the gift shops. It's definitely busier on this drive. There were a couple of viewpoints we couldn't stop at since all the parking spots were taken. We decided to look for a WW2 historical marker that was what we thought a short side trip. At first the single lane wasn't too bad and we only passed one car. The road gradually got worse till I convinced Randy to turn around when there was a wider spot in the road. The views were spectacular, but the road was probably the worst we had been on. We continued on to the Skellig Ring and had great views of the Kerry Cliffs. We were all quite happy when we crossed the bridge to Valentia Island. It had been a long driving day. We had a bit of a surprise when we pulled into the driveway of our accommodations in Knightstown. I found it on Booking.com, the pictures looked great, the reviews were excellent, and it was rated 4.8 out of 5. Best of all, it was waterfront. However,I didn't even want to get out of the car when we arrived. The gardens were overgrown, and there was an assortment of strange items in amongst the tall grass and weeds. Our host was sitting outside waiting for us and told us a bit about the house. It was over 200 years old, his family bought it in the 1960s, and he grew up there with his 8 siblings. He and two of his brothers still lived in the home, and he ran it as a Bed and Breakfast. The house was huge and very old. We both had our own bathrooms, but they were across the hall. It was a little creepy, but we lived to talk about it. The view from the property was so beautiful, and it turned out OK in the end. The next morning, after a full Irish breakfast, we took a small ferry off the island and completed the Ring of Kerry drive in Kilarney. Randy had his t-shirt on from Kilarney Ontario, and we found him one from the original Kilarney. Our final stop before arriving in Dingle was Inch Beach. What a beautiful spot. We first walked the beach and then went back for the car and drove on the beach. The sun was shining and it was really warm, so it was a perfect beach day.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeIrelandTraveler
    We stopped at Cobh on our way to Kinsale. The Heritage Center was really interesting.
    We wandered along the waterfront reading information about the Titanic and Lusitania.The coloured houses were called the deck of cards.Most of the immigration ships left from Cobh so there was lots of information and memorials.Kinsal was so pretty and very walkable.Lots of colourful shops and restaurants. Our weather was great so we enjoyed the outdoors.We couldn't believe the full moon when we headed home from the pub.Kitty O Sheas was a great pubOur second day started out cloudy.Really cool houses on our morning walk.Although the day started out cool and cloudy we still enjoyed our walks.The Yacht Club had a nice building and docks across the street.Our harbour tour boat. They handed out blankets for the seats on top.We had to have a pint to sit in the sun and plan our routes for next day.An other great outdoor spot to catch the sun.Great bartenderFort Charles from the boat tour.Sailboat heading out of the harbour.Chris and Paul, friends of Mike and Lori's from Sarnia.

    Kinsale

    Sep 17–19, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We took a side trip to Cobh on our way to Kinsale and really enjoyed exploring the waterfront. We started at the Heritage Center, where we learned about the Titanics' last stop and the sinking of the Lusitania. There were brightly coloured buildings, lots of statues and interesting little shops. Randy and I couldn't resist a sausage roll with hot mustard. Kinsale was only about an hour further west, and we arrived in the late afternoon. Parking was a challenge, but we found a spot at the library. Our rooms were above a cafe, they were really nice but really small. After checking in, we wandered around exploring the town. There was so much to see, and we really enjoyed exploring. The streets were narrow and wound up and down the hillside. Cars barely had room for one lane of traffic, and you had to keep watching out for them. We found a pub with live music to end our first evening. We took a harbour tour the following day and learned a little about the history of the area. We also had a good view of both Charles and James forts from the water. Both were very impressive. There was a farmers market by the harbour. Later that afternoon we were enjoying the sunshine at a little pub when Lori spotted friends from Sarnia walking by. What a coincidence, Chris and Paul Campbell were just finishing their two week tour with a few days in Cork. They were just in Kinsale for a couple of hours. It was fun comparing stories and hearing about their trip. We had a really nice dinner at a small but elegant restaurant across from our hotel. Overall, we really enjoyed our time in Kinsale.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeIrelandTraveler
    Seal Rescue was our 1st stop. We really enjoyed hearing their story and seeing the rescued seals.
    Courtown was a pretty seaside resort town.Lori wanted to get her feet wet. It wasn't as cold as she expected.I wasn't quite as brave. Also I didn't bring flip flopsWe walked to the pier and along the waterfront.A little further south we stopped at Cahore Beach and Mike went for a swim.It was a gorgeous beach and we walked for awhile. I found a few pieces of sea glass.It was warm and sunny. It felt so good to have our feet in the sandWe were on some crazy roads on our way to Wexford our stop for the night.This pub was outside our hotel. Had to get the picture for our own MaggieThis was Beggars Alley and led from a main street to the waterfront.This pub was very close to some really nice shoppingA Pub, an Undertaker and a Husband Day Care.Oldest shop in Wexford. Sadly it wasn't opened.Inside Maggie Mays. Really friendly staff and customers. It was really pretty with a beautiful barSuch a beautiful beach.

    Wexford

    Sep 16–17, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Our destination today was Wexford with a couple of stops along the way. We were on actually highways for part of the trip, and it felt so strange to be going fast. Our first stop was Seal Rescue Ireland, a volunteer organization that serves all of the country. Their goal is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release at risk seals. It is a very impressive organization with many dedicated individuals contributing to its success. You can find out more at https://www.sealrescueireland.org/
    We continued on to Courtown to explore this small resort town. There were many family focused attractions, a nice boardwalk, some pleasure boats, and a wharf. We walked down to the water, and Lori got her feet wet in the Irish Sea. We drove a little further south to Cahore Beach. The beaches were amazing and stretched before us for miles. Mike decided to go for a swim and then we walked for an hour or so. He said it wasn't as cold as expected, maybe the same as Lake Huron in early June. We found sea glass, some interesting shells, and even a mermaids purse. Back in the car and more crazy little roads until we reached Wexford in the late afternoon. We enjoyed exploring Wexford, visited a few pubs, and had dinner in a Thai restaurant.    Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeIrelandTraveler
    This little shrine was across the street from our cottage.
    The river ran under the street, we passed this on our way to the shopsFirst stop O'Sheas pub.We spent a couple of hours touring the castle at Kilkenny.Over the bridge to O'Driscolls pub and beer garden. Great live music.View of the river from the Kilkenny castle.Interior of the castle.The ceiling of the portrait galley was so beautiful.Pedestrian mall in Kilkenny.Found the Hole In the Wall pub in Killkeny. Unfortunately it was closed.The roads to Kilkenny were small, winding and beautiful.We stopped at a lookout and the view was so beautiful.The church in Graiguenamanagh was old and very interesting.Doyles was a fun pub. It was also a hardware store.Small windy streets of Graiguenamanagh.These flowers on a restaurant were real. They were so beautiful.Our cottage in Graiguenamanagh.Open plan kitchen and sitting room.One of the bedrooms and bathrooms was in a loft.

    Graiguenamanagh

    Sep 14–16, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    We had absolutely no idea how to pronounce the name of this lovely little village until we arrived. Even after a couple of days there, it was still a challenge, but what a lovely place. We rented the Weavers Cottage, which was very comfortable. It was only a short walk to the shops, restaurants and pubs. Mary, the owner, gave us a warm welcome and some great recommendations on local spots. The cottage was well appointed, and the fridge and cupboards were stocked. We also had a convenience store right beside us. Since it was Saturday night, the town was busy. We stopped in at a couple of pubs and then had dinner at a nice restaurant. We found a pub with live music after dinner, it was packed and we stayed for a set of rock music. It was packed with a younger crowd so people watching was great. The next day, we drove into Kilkenny and visited the castle. We had a nice lunch on the river and picked up a few supplies before heading back to Graiguenamanagh. We visited the pubs again, then picked up takeout and spent the evening in the cottage. The drive to and from Kilkenny was a highlight of our time here. The country roads were just magical.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeIrelandTraveler
    When we first got off the motorway we did have two full lanes.
    Even heading into the Wicklow Mountains we still had a bit of room.The landscape was continually changing. It was really windy too.Many parts of the Old Military Road were very narrow. Meeting oncoming traffic was crazy.The colours were spectacular.Unfortunately there were few places to pull over so most of the pictures were through the window.The wooded areas were lush and green.So much beauty.Coming to the end of The Old Military Road.Back to civilizationThe first place we could pull over. We all enjoyed a short break.Glendalough was our next stop. There were some impressive ruins.This was the chapel. The roof was stone, it was amazing to think how long it has stood up.These ferns were growing out of the walls of the chapel.The monks who built this in 1200 AD used this tower for protection.On our final leg to Graiguenamanagh, still narrow winding roads for a long way.2We made it to our pretty little house, wow that was an incredible drive.

    The First Epic Drive

    September 14, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Our destination today was less than two hours if we took the motorways, but where's the fun in that. The Old Military Road wound through the Wicklow Mountains through Sally's Gap and was said to be one of the most scenic drives in Ireland. What could have been an hour and a half drive turned into four and a half hours, but oh, what a drive. Our compact SUV was really working hard to climb some of the inclines, but its compact size was a blessing on the narrow winding roads. The scenery ranged from fertile farmland to fields of heather to windswept barren land to green wild forests. We thought we saw all four sides of the Wicklow Mountains, and I was asked a few times if I was taking them in circles. We'll there was one time I did have us going the wrong way but only for about five minutes. Randy did an amazing job as always. Once we arrived in Glendalough, we thought the best of the drive was behind us, but definitely not so. We wandered around the ruins of the Church and Abbey, then headed southwest for our final destination, Graiguenamanagh. The roads were just as breathtaking for the rest of the journey. We were very happy when we met our host Mary out front of The Weavers Cottage on High St.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeIrelandTraveler
    Tug was not pleased that our backpacks were out in the car and he was giving us the stink eye.
    Waiting for the Parknfly bus. Everything fit in our backpacks.Through security and ready to fly.Our partners in crime.Our first stop in Dublin for live music and good beer.Great place, great music, great beer.The actual Temple Bar in the Temple Bar area of Dublin.There were interesting murals around the city. This pigeon was outside our hotel.First breakfast in a cool little cafeWe walked along the north side of the river. So much to see.The Half Penny Bridge. Couldn't see over so we looked through it.1We really enjoyed the Jamieson tour. There are so many whiskeys.The Brazen Head Pub was the oldest in Dublin.I think the armor was as old as the pub.Christ Church Cathedral was beautiful.Another beautiful church we passed on our walk to the Guiness Warehouse tour.The end of the Guiness tour was the Gravety Bar and a pint.Randy enjoyed his complimentary pint.Having fun with the characters in Guiness Advertising areaMore fun with the advertising displays.

    Dublin Fair City

    Sep 11–14, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Our flights were scheduled to leave late; 11:55, so we hung out with Tug until 3:00 before heading to the airport. The roads were great, and traffic was light until we got close to Toronto. We met Mike and Lori at Arizonas on Carlingview, and we enjoyed a nice dinner on the patio. We were less than a block from our parking spot, and we made it to the airport with three hours to spare. The flight was uneventful and we arrived in Dublin around 11:30 Wednesday morning. Immigration and Customs was a breeze, and we found the Dublin Express as soon as we walked out of the terminal. Our hotel was a short walk from the George Quay stop. The rooms were small but nicely appointed. We took a short break and then headed to the Temple Bar area to see the sights. We stopped at John Gogartys first, and they had great live music. We really felt we were in Ireland, and we enjoyed a couple of sets. We walked a little further down Fleet Street and found the actual Temple Bar. We met some fun people from Texas and really enjoyed our time there. We found a good traditional restaurant on the way back to our hotel and after that had an early night. The next morning, we found a nice restaurant for breakfast and then slowly made our way to the Jameson distillery. We walked along the north side of Liffey, enjoying the sights. We made a few side trips and even checked out a Mark's and Spencer's. The distillery tour was so cool. We really enjoyed it and met a nice young woman from Colorado who joined us for drinks at the Brazen Head afterward. We made our way slowly back towards our hotel and stopped for dinner. The next day, we had tickets for the Guiness Warehouse tour. We'd had so much fun the previous day we were moving a little slowly so we gave ourselves lots of time to walk the 3 kilometers to the warehouse. It was a little different than Jamieson in that it was a self-directed tour, but after we got started, it was pretty impressive. By the time we finished the tour and arrived at the top floor Gravity Bar, we were ready for our pint. Randy and Mike had a traditional pint, but Lori and I tried the Hop House 13. The views were beautiful, and the beers were good. It was really crowed so the people watching was really interesting. We stopped for dinner on the walk back to the hotel and did a little more exploring. The next morning, we caught the Dublin Express back to the airport and picked up our rental car. It was a fun three days, and we were looking forward to continuing our travels.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    It was an early morning for us. The travel lift will be picking us up soon.
    Out of the water and getting the engine winterized. Bottom was really clean.Heading to it's home for the next 10 months.It was such a tight squeeze, but it made it in.We were lifting out early, so lots of room. They will move it further back soon.There wasn't much room left in the car.We usually travel under this bridge.We left the island at 10:30. It was a long but beautiful drive.Such a beautiful day for a drive.1Stopped for a break at a small park. The corn was so tall we had to share with the Abneys.Dinner stop at Grogs in Port Franks. It was a long day and we were excited to be close to home.Almost home. Our beautiful lake was roaring tonight.Tug couldn't wait for us to open the door for him. He was happy to be home.

    See You Later Hogsbreath

    August 19, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    We were awake before the alarm, and we were ready to put the boat away. The car was packed, and the boat was as organized as we could get it. All systems we winterized, and we had everything in place. I went to Tim Hortons for coffee and breakfast and picked up donuts for the crew. Randy stayed with the boat and offered suggestions and feedback during the lift and storage process. It seems so strange to be leaving in up here, but we do think it's a good decision. Once everything was complete, we had showers at the town docks, and we were on the swing bridge by 10:30 . It was so strange to be driving over it rather than waiting for it to open and going by it. The drive was so beautiful. It was really cool to be driving by places like McGregor Bay, where we spent time anchored out. We stopped for lunch at a crazy place called The Hungry Bear, which was part of the French River Trading Post. We took the back roads and ended up driving through Randys old stomping grounds. He entertained me with stories about many of the places we were passing. We had planned on stopping for the night in Bayfield at Tom and Carol's, but we were making really good time, and Mr Tug was not a happy camper, so we thought it best to push on. We did stop for dinner at Grogs in Port Franks and still made it home by 8:00. When we turned on Old Lakeshore, the lake was wild. The waves were breaking over the road. The power of the lake when there is a strong north wind is amazing. Looking out over the whitecaps, we were very happy with our decision not to make the long trip home by boat. We still absolutely love our time on the water but much prefer the sheltered beauty of the North Channel and Northern Georgian Bay. It was a great trip this year, and we look forward to many more to come.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    I took this picture from the downtown docks. We really appreciated the opportunity to stay here.
    Tied to the floating dock before the wind increased. Thought for sure we'd break the dock.We felt more secure inside the haulout well. It was also so much easier getting on and off.Beautiful sunsetFull moon rising over the boom truck. This was our last night onboard for 2024.

    Two Nights at Boyles Marina

    Aug 17–19, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    There was a floating dock just outside the haulout well at Boyles Marina that we could tie up to. We put out extra lines and fenders because the forecast had gusts of 35 knots for Saturday and Sunday. As the winds built, there were whitecaps behind us, and the dock was bouncing back and forth. There were huge rocks about 30 feet to the east of the boat. If the dock broke free, there would be no chance for us to keep the boat off the rocks. It was a little stressful, and at times, we were sure we would break the dock. We enlisted the help of a person who was looking at boats in the yard, and we pulled the boat into the actual haul out slip. What a difference. The dock now behind us still bounced, but without the weight of the tug, it seemed much more secure. We were out of the waves, so no more bouncing for the tug. The wind still howled, but we felt very secure. We winterized everything but the diesel and packed our bedding, linen, and cushions in vacuum bags. We loaded the car with everything we were taking home. Sunday, the winds continued to blow, and around lunchtime, we lost power. We had planned on dinner out, but the whole town was dark. No problem, we have our car. We drove off the island, heading towards Espanola. The few businesses we passed didn't look open, so we pulled over a gas station. Good thing we did. We were told Espanola was impacted by the outage and even parts of Sudbury. Back to the boat for cheese and crackers. I had one can of soup left and had to turn the propane back on and dig my pans out of the car. Cell phone coverage was iffy, so we walked into town to see if we could find out what was going on. We were told power should be back on by 8:30. Nope, it didn't happen. We went to bed at 10 still without power. Oh well, early morning haul out and a long drive home tomorrow.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    Wind and rain aren't our favorites but still a good travel morning.
    No horizon today everything is the same colour. Except for the islands.Tug in one of his safe places when we are traveling.Rain rain rainWe had the last of our fish from Randys fishing days with Norm.Enjoying dinner and good company.Friends shared this picture from a couple of years ago. This is our favorite weather up here.

    Windy Rainy Birthday

    Aug 16–17, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We decided on East Rouse as our next stop. It's not one of our favorites, but it has good protection for the upcoming winds. It's close to Little Current, and it has good cell service. It looks like rain for the entire day, so good cell service means we can check messages, watch YouTube, and I can see my birthday greetings. We will need to start the generator since there is no sun to top up our batteries, which means we can watch a movie. The ride was windy and wavey, but we were comfortable in the pilot house. There were only two boats at East Rouse, and we tucked into the north east corner to hide from the wind. We are emptying the fridge and freezer since we are hauling out on Monday. We ate very well for lunch and dinner. We were playing cards after dinner when a catamaran came in the anchorage. The four people onboard looked cold and wet. It's a huge anchorage, but they pulled up right beside us. Once they settled, they were less than 100 feet away. Oh well, we can turn the music up and close the blinds. It was pouring and really windy. They were probably very happy to get out of the elements. Saturday morning, Randy spoke to Pat at Boyles Marina. We had planned on taking a spot at the town docks tonight and moving to Boyles on Sunday for an early morning lift on Monday. The forecast is calling for 20 knots on Saturday and gusts of 35 on Sunday, so we are worried about getting into the lift area with those winds. Pat said to come over Saturday afternoon before the winds get bad. What a relief.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    Looking across to the Benjamins
    This was a really nice walk to the top. It was a gradual incline, surprised to see how high we wereThe boys enjoying a little walk about.Very different blueberry bushes than a couple of weeks agoHogsbreath at anchor. It was nice to be anchored and not tied to shore.One lone blueberry. It was super sweet, I had to eat it.A long way up.Cold drinks on the beach. I found a couple of pieces of beach glass

    Back on Anchor

    Aug 14–16, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    It was so nice to be heading back out after too many days tied to the dock. We wanted to stay west of the swing bridge at an anchorage that was protected, and that was one we really enjoyed. Croker fit the bill. There was a catamaran anchored behind the island, so we went into the main anchorage. There was lots of room to swing, so there no need to tie to shore. At one point, there were only two boats in the anchorage, but a few more joined us later in the afternoon. It was hot and sunny so we brought our chairs and cold drinks to the beach. The crew from a few other boats joined us. Two of the boats were doing the loop, and it's always fun to hear their stories. We also did a nice walk to the top of the rocks behind our boat. There were tons of blueberry bushes, but only a few berries left. Many of the bushes were burnt from the recent hot dry weather. The water temperature was perfect for a little floating after our walk. Our range finder came in handy as the anchorage filled up. I was able to let a couple of boats know they were in our swing radius before they tied to shore. That made for a much easier nights sleep for all of us. We really enjoyed our two days at Croker, but the winds are picking up, and rain is in the forecast, so time to move onRead more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    Little shops, an art gallery and best of all an icecream shop at South Baymouth
    We were close to the front of the line for boarding.Beautiful Chi-Cheemaun arriving from Tobemorey.Getting ready to boardLeaving the dock and then spinning around. We drove in the bow and will drive off the stern.Heading out towards open water.The small town of South Baymouth.Passing the Cove Island lighthouse. Cove Island is our first anchorage on our trip north most years.Otter Pass, this is a short cut to the Cove Island anchorage on our way home.Driving off the ferry in Tobermory1The parachutes to cover the tug are at the back. Thanks Mike I couldn't reach.I was a little early for the ferry.Pretty sailboat coming into harbour while I waited for the ferry.The ramp we use to drive on the ferry.Line in Tobermory waiting to board. I'm the 7th car in lane 1.The Cove Island lighthouse on the trip back to Manitoulin. Another nice day onboard Chi Cheemaun

    Quick Trip Home

    Aug 11–13, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    It was a windy, rainy morning and other than to walk Tug we didn't leave the boat. Paul came over a little early in case the scheduled Pride parade wasn't canceled. If it was still on the streets would be closed, and it would be a challenge to get out of town. I had a few things I was bringing home, so it was nice that Paul's car was at the top of our dock. We left around 1:30 to give us plenty of time as we needed to be at the ferry at least an hour before the sailing time of 3:30. It was a beautiful drive, the skies had cleared, and the views were breathtaking. It took about 45 minutes to get to South Baymouth, so we were close to the front of the line. To board the ferry, you just need your reservation number. It's pretty simple. We went for a walk and spent some time in the little art gallery. They had some really beautiful pieces, and most were from the island. Boarding the ferry was interesting. We were on the side ramps, and when we were told to stop, we were on a very steep angle. Paul switched off the car and engaged the parking brake. I was concerned we were making the crossing that way, but as soon as the ramps were full, they were raised, and we were level. We had to leave the car and couldn't return until we were docking in Tobermory. We found a spot in one of the lounges where we had great views. The scenery was amazing and the people watching very interesting. We were one of the first cars off the ferry, and traffic wasn't bad, so we were out of Tobermory in no time at all. Paul was a great driver and tour guide, pointing out shortcuts and good stops along the way. We went to the yacht club so I could pick up my car, and I pulled into my driveway at 11:00 pm. It took 9 and a half hours door to door. I really appreciate Paul letting me join him on the trip home. I'm booked on the 5:45 pm ferry on Tuesday and have a long to-do list. There was a nice surprise waiting for me at home. Dianna had arranged to have all the windows cleaned as a birthday gift. The house looked amazing. I was able to get everything done on my list and had a great lunch with Alexis and Charity. Mike and Lori stopped by to help me get things down from the attic in our shed. We had a nice visit, and Karen and Larry stopped by as well. The drive to Tobermory on Tuesday was quite enjoyable, traffic was light and the weather was beautiful. I left home at 10:30, and even with a few stops, I was one of the first cars in line for the ferry. I wandered around and recognized a couple of boats in the harbour. Driving on the ferry was easy, and although I was on one of the side ramps, I was in the middle, so totally level. I was also beside one of the access doors, so it was easy to get on deck and return to the car when we docked. I had dinner onboard, watched out the windows, and read. The trip went by really quickly. The drive back to Little Current took about 50 minutes, traffic was light, and I was back with Randy and Tug before the sun went down. All in all, it was a great trip home.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    Randy's prizes from Turners. Everything is really nice.
    We are docked beside a boat from Port Elgin. We've met them at anchorages over the years.That big blue building in the distance is Hogsbreath's new winter home.

    And More Changes

    Aug 8–11, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    It was a windy ride back to Little Current from Covered Portage Cove, and we traveled a little quicker to flatten out the ride. We arrived at the bridge a little earlier than needed, so we checked out Harbour Vue by water. Once we were through the bridge, we arranged a slip on the west side of A dock. Between the winds and the current, it's going to be a wild few days. We had Paul and Deb over for happy hour and enjoyed catching up. Tug lost patience with us by 7:30 and insisted on having his dinner. We went for a walk, but it was chilly, so we headed back to the boat and watched YouTube. Friday, I did some laundry, and Randy started organizing the boat. Randy dropped into Turners for the Friday contest, and he was the winner. His prize was awesome, two sweatshirts, a ball cap, and a toque. As the question was about Baie Fine, so were the prizes. We took Tug for a walk to check out where we would park the car and decided to stop in at Boyles Marine. What a great decision. Randy asked if they had room for our boat in their inside storage, and Pat said yes. What! We've been asking about inside storage for years and haven't even been put on a waiting list. It's quite a bit more expensive and it's not heated but what a great opportunity. We told Pat we'd be back Saturday morning to let him know. Roy was hosting the Cruisers Net Happy Hour at the Anchor Inn, so we headed over. There was a big crowd. Deborah Ann was in town dropping off their guest, and they came bearing gifts. They used to have a green 32 Nordic Tug. Someone had given them a hat from Nordic Tug with a red tug on it. They also had a hand towel with a red 32 tug on it. That was so nice of them. We met a lot of new people and enjoyed the pizza and birthday cake. We took Tug for a walk and listened to the music downtown. The docks and wall were full, and there were lots of boaters out for a stroll. After we took Tug back to the boat, we decided to go to the Legion for a beer. There were four people at the bar and four boaters at a table. The four boaters were the ones we suggested the Legion to, so we joined them. They shared some great stories. Saturday morning, we went to Boyles and signed up for inside storage. They can accommodate us on August 19th, and now we won't have to come back to put the winter cover on. We let Jill at Harbour Vue know we won't be storing there, and she was very gracious. It was windy, cool, and wet for most of the day. We spent some time checking out the shops, and whenever the rain stopped, we would get outside. We had a nice dinner at the Anchor Inn, then watched a movie onboard. The wind howled, and it rained most of the night. Tomorrow will be an interesting day. I'm heading home, and Randy is staying onboard with Tug.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    The Indian head at the entrance to the inner bay at Covered Portage Cove.

    Back In 50 Cove

    Aug 7–8, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We were pleasantly surprised to find 50 Cove empty when we arrived at Covered Portage. There was only one boat in the outer bay, and it didn't look crowded in the inner bay either. We set the anchor, took Tug to shore, and had a late lunch. We joined Bob and Karen on Hunky Dory for happy hour and had a great time catching up. We made plans to go to Kilarney by dinghy the next day. Yeah, I'm finally going to get some ice cream. We had great cell service, so we checked our weather apps for the next few days. Oh no, strong wind warnings starting Friday through Sunday night. We were planning on heading into Little Current on Saturday but decided to head back early. We let Bob and Karen know we weren't sticking around. It was rainy and cool, so they decided not to go to Kilarney on Thursday either.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    Randy being interviewed by Roy Eaton on the Cruisers Net
    Randy Roy and Terry. Roy has been a positive influence on the boating community for over 20 years.Our walk to the marina. I didn't take any pictures.I borrowed this picture of the marina since I didn't take any myself.

    Change In Plans

    Aug 6–7, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    It was a bit of a bouncy ride from our anchorage at Heywood into Little Current, which was a surprise. According to both weather apps, I use the wind was supposed to diminish in the early morning. While we were underway, I reached out to Paul and Deb on Nadura. They are friends from our yacht club who have been keeping their boat up here for several years. We will need to get our car if we are going to leave our boat here. Paul was heading to Brights Grove on Sunday and was happy to give me a ride if needed. That was a huge hurdle taken care of. We tied up to the west wall by the pavilion. Typically, we like the wall rather than a finger dock as it is easier to dock and leave when the current is strong. It was a beautiful sunny day with enough breeze to make it comfortable even though it was really hot. The marina was a bit of a walk, but it was nice to get off the boat and stretch our legs. Jill, the marina manager, was wonderful. She answered all our questions, and we felt confident that the boat would be well cared for. We arranged a haul out date of August 19th. We could empty and winterize everything and still catch the last ferry off the island later that day. We would have to come back in October with the winter cover and to take care of anything we missed. Jill offered to drive us back to town, so we had her drop us off at Manitoulin Brewery for a celebratory craft beer. We enjoyed the company of the bar staff and some other travelers. It's hard to believe we have finalized this change so quickly. I let Paul know I'd be joining him on Sunday and booked a ticket for myself on the ferry. I will do what I need to do on Monday and then come back on Tuesday. We talked to the dock staff and reserved a week at the town docks. We can use the 7 days when we need them. I'd prefer Randy to be at the dock while I'm gone, so that should work well. While taking Tug for a walk, we met up with Paul and Paula. Randy worked with Paul in the 90s, and the last time we saw them was years ago in Titusville, Florida. We had a nice visit and then met up with them at Elliots for dinner. The next morning, we were at the vets when it opened and bought a bag of dog food. We stopped into the Cruisers Net Broadcast, and Roy interviewed Randy about our trip last fall on the narrowboat. Randy did a great job. When we got back to the boat, Glen from Last Resort told us Tug had been crying the whole time we were gone. That's unusual, and we thought it may have to do with all the people walking by the boat. Maybe the wall isn't such a good idea. We decided to head to Covered Portage for a few days. Karen and Bob on Hunky Dory are there, and we haven't seen them in years.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    Leaving Little Current when the bridge opens.
    Our anchorage in the east end of Hotham Island.Last Resort was anchored ahead of us. Their dog is such a characterOur view from the bow.Our view from the sternOur view from the port side

    Decisions Decisions

    Aug 5–6, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    We headed to Spider Bay Marina in Little Current for a pumpout and water. The marina wasn't busy, so we were out in time to make the 10:00 bridge heading east. Heywood Island was our destination, and we were hoping to tuck into the small bay at the west end of Browning Cove. Unfortunately, there were already two boats anchored there, so we headed to the east anchorage. There was lots of room there for us, so we tucked into the back end. If the weather cooperated, we would head to Cove Island on Tuesday and then Kincardine on Thursday or Friday. According to the long-range forecasts, after that, the winds may pick up, so we may have to stay somewhere to wait out the winds. This part of the trip is never a lot of fun. We wait and watch the weather always a little apprehensive even when we are not sailing to a schedule. I noticed our bag of dog food was getting a little light. Tug's appetite has been really good this trip, and he hasn't been sick. I think we underestimated the amount of food we needed. I figured out we had about 5 days of food left. That wasn't going to be enough if we had to wait out any weather. There was a vet in Little Current who carried his food, but they didn't open until Wednesday. There was no vet in Tobermory, so Kincardin may be the next spot we could purchase his food. We decided to head into Little Current Tuesday and pick up the food first thing Wednesday morning. If the weather forecast was correct, we could then head for Cove Island at the 10:00 bridge opening. Randy had reached out to Harbour View Marina in Little Current to get details on storing the boat for the winter. It's something we've discussed over the last couple of years. Now that we have our home in Brights Grove, we don't really use the boat before and after our North Channel adventures. Neither of us really enjoy the trip up and down the lake. We thought it may be worth looking into options since we had an unplanned day in town. We liked the information and decided we would visit the marina while we were there.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    Tug decided this was a good place to hide from the deer flies.
    Deborah Ann at anchor in East Rous, it was nice to catch up with Jeff and Deb.Since we stayed inside to hide from the deer flies. The boys decided a nap was in order.

    Deer Fly Invasion

    Aug 4–5, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    East Rous is a well protected anchorage just to the west of Little Current. It's not the prettiest spot, but it has great holding and is very convenient if you are planning to go into town. We spoke to Deborah Ann, a beautiful Nordic Tug 32 on the radio, and Jeff said there was plenty of room, so we headed in. We anchored in the east end in about 7 feet of water. Jeff and Deb came over to chat once we were settled, and the deer flies were crazy. We both had our fly swatters working overtime. Deborah Ann was heading into Little Current to pick up company so it was a quick visit. We took Tug to shore and then decided to try our hand at fishing. We watched a small fishing boat with five people aboard catch fish after fish, but we had no luck and finally gave up. Greg and Jen on Huzzah from SYC came in later in the day. Greg had raced the Bayview Mackinaw race and placed second. He then went on to the North American championship and came in first. Congratulations. We spent more time inside than usual because the deer flies were so bad. The next morning, we were up and pulling anchor early to put those flies behind us. We both managed to only get a couple of bites, but they are super itchy.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    Hard to believe we have the whole anchorage to ourselves.
    Another view of the empty cove. Those are the La Cloche mountains in the distance.Beautiful day for floating. It was hot and the water was refreshing.There is a nice beach in one corner. Great place for Tug to wander.Saturday we had company. Three sailboats and two trawlers.Gord and Marge Beaton from SYC joined us for a night. It was great to catch up.It was a little more challenging rowing home after happy hour.1Beautiful sunsetsGreat places to go ashore.Colours are beautifulThe boys enjoying the sunset.

    Third Time's a Charm

    Aug 2–4, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    We didn't have a clear plan for the next few days, so we decided to head to Mosquito to hide from the winds coming our way. We had already been there this year, and we knew the holding was good. It was close by, so it was a quick trip. When we arrived, there were a couple of boats already anchored. One was tied to shore with tons of scope, so we couldn't get as close as we like to. The anchorage was rolly from passing traffic, and we weren't comfortable, so we pulled anchor and set off for Louisa. Again, it was a very short trip. There were about 8 boats already at Louisa, so we decided to head to Sturgeon Cove. The entrance is a little tricky, but it's a large anchorage, and if we could get in the bottom, we would have great holding and good protection. Unbelievable, we were the only boat in Sturgeon Cove. It's definitely a first for us. We chose our spot and settled in for a couple of nights. We dinghied over to Bell Cove and found only one boat there. We looked for blueberries, we found lots of bushes but no berries. We did see three eagles, one juvenile and two with full colours. The largest kept a very close eye on us, so we kept a very close eye on Tug. It was really hot so we spent a lot of time in the water. The next morning, we were joined by two sailboats and two trawlers. Later in the day, Gord and Marge Beaton from SYC came in on On Beat. We had a nice visit and a fun happy hour. The following morning, the winds were changing direction, so we decided to move on. We need to head into Little Current for services but are waiting till Monday. It's the Haweater Weekend there and it is really busy. They host a beautiful fireworks display on Sunday night, which we have to avoid because of the dog. We decided to head to East Rousse and the Beatons on to Hotham or Fox.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    Our point of reference to drop the anchor. Good depth to shore and great holding.
    Alternate means of transportation.Nice anchorage behind Middleton Island.These small islands provide some additional protectionLots of cool places to explore in the dinghyTwo bays over was a beautiful beach.Someone left us a heartTrumfanger and Evalina at anchor.

    Amadroz Island

    Jul 31–Aug 2, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    It was a short trip from Croker to Amedroz Island. We anchored there one night last year on our way east with Sticks and Trumfanger and really liked it. There was only one sailboat in the anchorage, and we were able to get in close to shore and drop anchor in about 12 feet of water. It's deep until about 3 feet from shore, and there was a really cool dead white birch tree we could use as a reference point. While setting the anchor, we saw about 4 big bass swim by so figured there may be good fishing. After we were settled we went over to the sailboat and introduced ourselves. My Girl is a 30-foot Grampion, and the owners are from Bay City Michigan. We tried a little fishing but no catching. We explored in the dinghy, and I used my kayak for the second time. We heard from Trumfanger, and they are heading our way tomorrow. There are hundreds of little fish in this bay. That may explain why the bass weren't interested in our lures. We kept trying, but still no success. We did a little laundry, and the little fish were very interested in our clothes as I rinsed them behind the boat. We spent quite a bit of time in the water, it was really hot out and the water was really refreshing. My Girl left early the next morning, and we had the anchorage to ourselves until Trumfanger and Evalina joined us in the late afternoon. We took the dinghy to a really nice beach two bays over and then around the northeast corner of the island to the other anchorage. Later that afternoon, Evalina dropped anchor with two blocks of ice for our cooler. Shortly afterwards, Trumfanger joined us with a third block of ice. Cold drinks all round. It was great to see Ann, Jim, and Dan as they made their way back west. Hopefully, we will see them at their home in Indiana while we are traveling in the RV.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    We had a great spot to anchor at Croker Island.
    There are a few beaches to explore on Croker IslandCroker is part of the Benjamin group of islands so has the beautiful pink rock1Mike from Sacagewa shared a drone shot of the anchorage. Can you spot us?A drone shot of the potluck.Beautiful sunsetEast side of the island had cool features.There are lots of places to take Tug to shore. This one was just behind the boat.Lots of blueberries hidden in this spot. Close to the boat and easy to get ashore.The anchorage cleared out on our second morning.

    Crocker Island

    Jul 29–31, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    We'd forgotten how beautiful Croker Island was as it's been a few years since we've anchored there. The small bay we usually go to had a few boats tied to shore and didn't appear to have room to swing at anchor. We went to the back of the big rock and found enough depth and swing room for us. It was a beautiful spot and was a little more private. There were more boats anchored near the beach than we'd ever seen. As we were getting settled, two dinghies stopped for a visit and invited us to a potluck on the big rock that evening. Both were loopers, and they assumed we were as well. There were three other Nordic Tugs in the anchorage who were doing the loop, so they thought we were one more. A catamaran came into the little spot we were in, but they went in further and tied to shore, so we still had some privacy. We took Tug to the beach and chatted with two boats anchored beside the beach. Both were loopers but were considering finding a place to store for the winter close by so they could spend lots of time in our area. They said of the 6000 miles of the loop, the North Channel was the most beautiful. One boat had a blog written from the perspective of their dog Lily. The potluck was a lot of fun. Everyone but us were loopers and had some great stories. They were all interested in our local knowledge. Mike and Elaine on Sacagewa, a 48-foot Ocean Alexander, were from the Pacific Northwest.
    They took their previous boat a 32 Nordic on a 3 month trip to Alaska. What a great adventure. A few had sold their homes and were living full time on their boats. The next day they all left but we stayed. The forecast was for rain all day, but it ended up being a beautiful day. We picked blueberries and explored the southeast coast of Croker Island in the morning. After lunch, we took the dinghy over to the Benjamins. Wow. There were 43 boats anchored in the main anchorage, and only 6 were sailboats. On our way, over 8 center console dinghies passed us, so we were expecting to see some big boats. There were a number of boats rafting together. One had 12 boats anchored, rafted, and tied to shore. Hopefully, the storms in the forecast don't materialize. I can't imagine the chaos of high winds with all the boats tied together. It looked like everyone was having fun but not what we are looking for when we come north. We took a walk on some of the beautiful rocks but were glad to head back to Croker. It was so busy at the trailhead that we didn't even attempt to walk across South Benjamin Island. There was a beautiful sunset we watched from the bow oh Hogsbreath and we had a quiet night. We were glad we stopped in Croker, and we will definitely be back.    Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    I didn't take many pictures so I borrowed this from their website.
    This is the spot campers were allowed to park overnight. Such a shame it's prohibited now.Tug was hot so he found a place to cool off.1Our view from Split Rail Brewery.Very common sight in Gore Bay. I borrowed this from the town website.

    Happy Early Anniversary

    Jul 28–29, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We pulled anchor after listening to the Cruisers Net at 9:00 am. It was a bit of a challenge getting Tug to take his sedative, but finally, success. It really makes a difference for us all when he is calm. It took about 2 and a half hours to reach Gore Bay, and he was okay for about half of the trip. We had to wait a short time to get our services, but it wasn't as busy as we expected. We anchored in 6 feet of water close to the permanent docks to make it easier to take Tug to shore. The first stop was the grocery store, and the second stop was the LCBO. One thing we love about Gore Bay is the deer population. I think there are more deer than people. We saw the first ones before we left the boat. While walking from the grocery store to the LCBO, we saw a couple in people's yards. When we came out of the LCBO, there was one across the street, and Tug was so focused on it that he missed the one on our side of the street that was about 10 feet away from him. The young man in the LCBO said deer hunting season is pretty funny. Hunters spend hours in the bush and come back empty-handed. Once they are back in town, the deer are everywhere. Smart deer no hunting in town. We chatted to a lady who was reading on her veranda, and she said the deer eat her gardens. We went back to the boat and put away our supplies before heading out to celebrate our anniversary. Fun piece of Randy and Terry trivia, 19 of our 29 wedding anniversaries have been spent in the North Channel. We stopped to say hi to Ruby and Jake Haasnoot, who spend summers on their 28-foot Doral. Randy went to school with their kids, and Jake just celebrated his 90th birthday. Jay from Ks and Jay's was helping fix one of their davits. We last saw him in Carla's office in Tobermory. We went to Split Rail brewery and tried a couple of their beers. I had a flight then ordered the lager. We chatted with a nice couple on a Mainship 39, Three Rings. They summer on the boat and winter in an rv, so we had lots in common. We went to dinner at Bouys, beautiful evening on the patio with entertainment. On the way to the restaurant, we stopped where there used to be a spot for 3 rvs to spend the night. Sadly, there is a sign that says no overnight parking now. Years ago, we met Paul and Mariska from the Netherlands who were parked there. We still keep in touch after spending time with them in Gore Bay. After dinner, we visited with Ks and Jay's before heading back to the boat. It was a very nice early anniversary celebration. The next morning, we couldn't get Tug to take his sedative, so it was a stressful 2 and a half hour trip to Croker. Poor little guy shook and cried most of the way.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    My favorite lure and the star of this tale.
    In addition to lots of reeds the northwest end of our anchorage has beautiful water lillies

    The Tale of Ted Diltz

    July 25, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Ted Ditlz was a jeweler in London Ontario who had a small shop at the base of the TD Tower at King and Wellington streets. While I had an office in the tower, he was my go-to guy for family gifts. In addition to a nice selection of estate jewelry, he always had a great inventory of interesting stories. Ted was an avid fisherman, and on one of my visits to his store, he presented me with a fishing lure. I added this lure to our tackle box, and it quickly became my favorite. I think its first trip north with us was in 2005 and I have used it on every trip since. It's a little rusty and well used, but it has attracted the attention of many bass and pike. Experienced anglers have made fun of Ted and cautioned that I wouldn't catch anything, but I always bring it out at least once a season. I have a tendency to lose lures on a regular basis but never Ted. Randy and I were out the other day around Hotham Island, and we couldn't find any fish. We were heading back to the boat, but I asked him to try the northwest corner of our anchorage. It's a marshy area, shallow and warm. I was trolling when my line caught on a reed. Before we could stop the dinghy my line went slack and my leader and lure was gone. Oh no, it was Ted. We looked around for a while but couldn't see where I had lost it. The next day was really windy, so we were sticking close to the boat. After taking Tug to Shore, Randy headed to the place I lost Ted. There is a resident eagle there, and a couple of years ago, I saw a momma bear with two cubs, so I thought we were just exploring. No, Randy was on a mission. While I looked for wildlife, he checked every reed until he found one with a fishing lure wrapped around it. Ted is now back in our tackle box ready for action. I wish the real Ted Diltz was still around so I could share this story with him. Thank you, Randy, for bringing Ted home. You are the best.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeNorth Channel 2024Traveler
    Hogsbreath looking pretty anchored by Norm and Elaines cottage.
    The cottage is in the background. It's such a beautiful spot and totally off grid.Cool and rainy so I baked more bread.Tango is close by so baked cookies. Bob has helped everyone. Cookies are a good way to say thanks.Rain held off but cool and windyOut fishing but not catching. We remembered the net but didn't have to use it.Laurie and Dave fishing.1Tug loves his dinghy ridesHappy hour at the cottageA morning of kayaking while Randy and Norm are fishing.Another happy hour.Happy hour number 4 I believe.A very good morning of fishing. Norm was the guide, Randy and Bob fished.On our way back to the boat after happy hour.Ed and Ruth on FacetimeMeal time is never boring with Tug

    2 Nights in Hotham Turned Into 5 Nights

    Jul 23–28, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We woke up to stronger winds and some chop in the anchorage. Since we were not tied to shore it wasn't bad for us as our bow swung into the wind and waves. High Five and Lucia were tied to shore and were taking the wind and waves mid ship, so it was definitely time to leave. Toy Chest was the first to leave. Their windlass wasn't working and they had 150 feet of chain out. Terry really struggled, so Randy offered to give him a hand. He declined, and after about 20 minutes, he was on his way. Don did an amazing job dropping his shore line and hauling his anchor on his own. He made a few trips from the bow to the stern and appeared to have full control of the boat. Dave and Laurie were good, lots of practice, and two onboard, which makes a difference. Since we were the only boat with a windlass, we hung back till everyone else was on their way. It was a short trip to Hotham, and there was lots of room to anchor. The small cottage was empty, and the docks were pulled onshore, so we went further in than we normally would. We dropped in about 8 feet of water and were well protected. Traumfanger and Evalina came in, and there was still plenty of room for High Five and Lucia. I think there were 11 or 12 boats at anchor. Elaine came over to say hello and let us know happy hour was on their deck at 4:30. We timed our visit perfectly. Their family left a few days ago, and they were looking forward to boating visits. Jim came by in his dinghy for a quick visit, and at 4:30, we all headed to the cottage. It was a large group, and Elaine impressed everyone with her introductions. After dinner, the crews of Traumfanger, Evelina, High Five, and Lucia joined us on Hogsbreath for a few hours. It was great to catch up and share stories and laughs. The next morning, the wind had picked up, and it was overcast. Elaine and Chaylie went out for a paddle, but way too windy for me. Traumfanger and Evelina were off to Kilarney, so just a quick visit with Jim and Ann. We heard Tango was the next bay over, so it was time to bake cookies for Bob. Oh no, I didn't have all the ingredients for chocolate chip, but Chaylie gave me a simple recipe for peanut butter cookies. I also baked another loaf of bread. 4:30 and another happy hour at the cottage. Harold and Chaylie invited us onboard Redimix after dinner, but we had plans to join the SYC group so had to decline. Lots of laughs before High Five and Lucia headed east on Thursday morning. The wind has switched, so we moved to a better spot in the anchorage. Bob and Helen came for a visit and they decided to move to our anchorage the next morning. We did a little fishing but no catching that afternoon. It was a very small happy hour that evening, which gave us a chance to chat more with Norm and Elaine. Norm invited Randy to go fishing with him the next morning, and Elaine and I decided to go for a paddle. Tango came into the anchorage early enough that Helen was able to join us on our paddle. Randy and Norm caught some nice bass, so we had fresh fish for dinner. We were planning on leaving, but Norm convinced us to stay a little longer. Saturday morning, he, Randy, and Bob went out and caught two huge pike and about 7 bass. We still had fish from the first trip, and the freezer space is limited, so we shared our fish with another boat in the anchorage. While the guys were fishing Helen, Holly, her Chesapeake retriever, Elaine, and I hung out at the cottage. We FaceTimeed Ed and Ruth from Carosel, who are no longer boating. They are an amazing couple we met years ago, and we really miss them. We spent time with them for a few years, and they shared so much with us. From great anchorages to safe shortcuts to the best way to clean and cook a pike. They were considerably older than us but still so active. They spent winters in Colorado as ski instructors and had spent a couple of years in the Bahamas on their sailboat. It was good to see their faces and catch up. Norm and Elaines cottage is so beautiful, and we really enjoyed our time with them. We had to leave Sunday morning. We've been out for 8 days and really need services. Also, Monday is our 29th anniversary, and we wanted to go out for dinner. Most places are closed on Mondays, so we headed for Gore Bay on SundayRead more

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