Greek's Folly on the Great Loop: Port Severn to Beausoleil Island

Aug 2-5 - Thurs to Sun Port Severn to Beausoleil Island

On our last lock, the lock master strategically placed our boat in the lock with 3 other boats - a very tight squeeze. This is the smallest lock in length and width. Greeks Folly locked thru and started its path through the narrow channel markers and water currents as Short Vacation waits for the next lock thru. We make our way onto Severn Sound and see the sunshine, open waters and many, many boats on holiday for the first two weeks in August. They criss cross each others wakes all on their way to their favorite anchorage or bay. We head north along the east side of Beausoleil Island. We pass many boats anchored or docked on the piers on the island. The island is a Providential Park and a very popular place. We anchor in Chimney Bay. By sunset, there are 14 boats here. Smoke rises from campers and boaters grills as we all enjoy the peaceful surroundings together.

Today we go exploring. The area here has countless islands and passageways and cut thrus to explore, look around and even get lost in. We take Little Dog Channel to get to the main channel. Good thing we went in the morning cause the channel is already busy with boats (some hauling lumber, refrigerators and just people) We head to Honey Harbor which is tucked in off Big Dog Channel (don't you just love the names of these places!) The town (a grocery store, library and one shop) is bustling with cottagers and boaters getting supplies - for Pam that is worms for fishing. We stop at the Fry Hut for lunch (burgers and fries), then back onto the water and back to the big boat. Later that afternoon we dinghy to the Island and hike to Fairy Lake and climb the rocks. We visit with the campers and are told they had a bear visit the campsite last night. The bear enjoyed the chocolate covered blueberries which are accidentally left out and wandered around the food cages before heading off. I'm glad I'm on a boat. The water is refreshing and we once again enjoy a float and a dip.

A couple who were "Gold Loopers" (Dave and Sue on Manana) offered to lead us on a tour to show us other anchorages in the area. We pack a lunch and headed out on a four hour dinghy tour. We visited marvelous, tucked away places - Devil's Elbow, Bone Island, Frying Pan Bay, Longuissa Bay. Dave found a rock on Bone Island with a picnic table for our lunch destination. There are boats everywhere - even in these out of the way places. Today is Saturday of the Civil Holiday so everyone is going boating for one more summer weekend. The weather has been perfect - sunny, warm, light winds. It is wonderful boating with locals - they know the shortcuts - where to go - or not to go and the out of the way places. Dave then mentions the popular "ice-cream" word and that becomes our final stop. Once back on Greeks Folly, we look at the chart to determine where we went - nice trip. After a float and relax in the water we are asleep early.

A very warm relaxing day. We were in the water before noon due to the heat and floated and relaxed most of the day. We did go to visit Manana and they showed us anchorages on the charts for further up north. We are ready to travel again.