I’ve never been so excited to step on solid ground and would have kissed the dock if it was not covered in goose poop. Killarney was as equally a beach town as it was a winter wonderland. During the summer months there is a frenzy of boaters frolicking around indulging themselves at oyster bars, enjoying live music and watching movies projected over the water. Winter days can be filled with cross country skiing, snowmobiling and stargazing as we were told the skies are extremely dark in the winter months at that altitude.
The Killarney Mountain Lodge is an architect’s dream. The custom stone fireplaces were constructed meticulously by Dave who owns the bakery and also whips up fabulous pastries. Logs from the surrounding vicinity were trucked in to construct the entire backbone of the lodge.
After touring the ornate rustic bathrooms one last time, we made our way to Herbert’s Fisheries to finally enjoy some proper fish and chips. Locals and visitors alike lined up at the counter to place their order and Duane debated long and hard over the three or four fillet meal. With our appetites sufficiently satiated, we explored the rest of the town. Killarney definitely had that small town feel as we walked the unpaved street and weaved up and down the docks lined with fishing boats. Quaint shops were scattered about as was a beautiful church with a perfect view of the channel.
That night we sat at the Carousel Bar and enjoyed bison burgers as we discussed our travel plans for the next day. Grabbing pastries, apple fritters and muffins from Dave, the stone mason/baker, at Gateway Marina Bakery while the boat was being gassed up, we were soon on our way to an area called Baie Fine to anchor out for the night.
We had a 70 mile run through North Channel and right from the start the clear blue waters and granite landscape made for ideal cruising. I have mainly adjusted to the various sound effects on the boat, but for some reason the sudden squelch of the VHF radio gets me every time. Duane has deemed this not a “jumpable” offense, but I still beg to differ. A few miles passed Snug Harbor was a picturesque location referred to as the Hole in the Wall. We boated by in awe of the shoreline and went north toward Frazier Bay and anchored a little further away in Maryann Cove. The cove was part of Baie Fine which is reputed to have a fjord like landscape– which we hands down concur with after seeing the beauty before us.
Hole in the Wall
That evening we opened a bottle of wine and had a barbecue as we sat on the flybridge swinging around our fabulous serene surroundings well into the night. The next morning we hopped in Baby Belle and took a two and a half hour ride to “The Pool” at the end of Baie Fine. The topography was like none we have experienced thus far. To put a cherry on top of the cake, we hiked up to Topaz Lake which words alone do not do justice. It was a steep haul but, aided by a walking stick, I made it to the top relatively unscathed.
This spot also boasted about being covered in blueberry bushes. I guess the bears had ravaged the area before we arrived. Duane found exactly seven berries which he scarfed down without a second thought. But why would I be surprised?? He eats berries from Central Park with no qualms and hasn’t had to have his stomach pumped yet.
Boarding Bella Donna later in the afternoon, we were off to Little Current to spend the night. The Goat Island Swing Bridge opens on the hour and this time we were spot on and idled through without having to stop. To our excitement we met a lovely Canadian couple, Renee and Pierre, who were also on the Loop aboard their boat, Shoreline Traveler. We spoke at length and made plans to meet on Mackinac Island once we both cleared customs.
