Bad River to Beaverstone Bay (Burnt Island) to Collins Inlet and Thomas Bay

Aug 17-19-Fri thru Sun-Bad River to Beaverstone Bay (Burnt Island) to Collins Inlet and Thomas Bay

The wind was calm so we were up and out on the Bay by 0830.  The ride in open water was calm early in the morning.  We pass the Chickens, McDonald Shoal and Toad Island before we turn into Beaverstone Bay.  We explored anchorages and settled on Burnt Island with anchor down and set before noon.  The rest of the day was filled with casual activities, a nap, reading, a rowing dinghy ride and dinner.  

The wind shifted twice and finally blew hard all night long into the early morning.  We waited to pull up anchor until about noon when things calmed.  We went thru Collins Inlet which was beautiful, steep wall of granite, some placed wide and others narrow and tight.  Some trees seem to grow improbably out of cracks in the rock.  There are a few hunt and fish camps back in this secluded cut.  With assistant from Heart Tug (Randy and Audrey ) and Tug N (Steve and Fran), we follow their dinghy into the secluded anchorage of Thomas Bay - appropriate name.  Colletta was posted on the bow watching for rocks as we snake our way in.  Randy and Steve take our stern line and tie us to shore after our anchor is down - a first for us.  We are immediately invited to rocktails out on the large rock/island that protects the mouth of this anchorage. We enjoy the beautiful setting, the good food and the welcoming nature of our new friends and hosts.  This is absolutely the best!!! 

Sunday morning we take off in the dinghys and make a 4 mile ride into Killarney for fish and ships at Herberts.  The ride is rough as the winds were out of the southeast.  The fish and chips at Herberts is local historic treasure.  It is the only restaurant in town, we order at the window, pick up our tray and eat inside  or outside at the picnic tables - if there is room.  We ride back at a slower pace as the two foot waves make for a wet and splashy Ride, but the water is warm and it is fresh water to it is OK.  we climbed the steep rock off of our stern and enjoyed the view of the anchorage in the sunshine.  Wonderful view.  A few new boats are in the bay so we again have rocktails - 16 of us - and enjoy the new friendships.

 

Leaving Bad River

Beaverstone  Bay

Cruising the bay seeking out an anchorage

 

 

 

Cruising thru Collins Inlet

A high tech beaver lodge with satellite dish

Beautiful cruising thru Collins Inlet.

Kind of reminded me of the "grand canyon" part

of the Tennessee River. Both very beautiful and

serene.

Collins Inlet

Collins Inlet

Randy and Steve tying our stern line to a big rock.

First you drop your bow anchor and get it set. Then

you slowly back to shore and tie off your stern line.

The shore drops off very quickly into deep water so

although it appears that we are close we are actually

in about 9 feet of water off our stern

Mission accomplished. If a rock isn't handy to tie

to a tree or any object attached securely to shore

will do.

Here I am installing a piece of hose to protect our

line from rubbing against the corner of the rock. This

will protect against ware and chafing of our stern line.

Rocktails on the island protecting Thomas Bay

from the waves of Lake Huron

As the song goes, "I lost my shaker of salt"

I have no idea what I am looking for but I am sure

I found it.

Thomas Bay anchorage from Rocktail Island

Beginning our trip to Killarney. Looks calm enough....

But once we cleared these islands it was pretty bumpy

into Killarney

Having survived the dinghy ride we enter the clam

waters in protected Killarney

Cruising the channel in Killarney. That is the Sportsman

Inn behind us. The fish and chips at Herberts Fishery

was excellent. In fact when we brought the boat

to Killarney I think we ate there 2 more times.

Make way for the float planes. They actually have

the right of way when you encounter one on the

water

Herberts Fish and Chips

All the dinghies lined up at the fish and chip

restaurant dock

Colletta, John and I climbed the rock cliff behind our

boats. This is looking down into the anchorage

My two favorite ladies

John with his boat, Short Vacation below him

It was a long way up and unfortunately no one

brought any beer. oh well, next time.