TOBERMORY TO SOUTH BAYMOUTH & GORE BAY ON MANITOULIN ISLAND…A COLD, WET, & WINDY NIGHT:((

SOUTH BAYMOUTH HARBOR ABOUT NOON TODAY ON MANITOULIN ISLAND

Quiet night but we were both awake from about 3 a.m. on for some reason.  Nice early morning with 50F outside.  Said to Kelly this will probably be our mildest night time temperature until we get down into Utah later.  Vehicles started rolling into the pre-boarding parking lot about 6:30 a.m.  One semi-truck cab & a pick-up had come in around 3:30.  Right at 7 a fellow showed up to measure us & get everyone organized for boarding.  Half hour later we were all moved to a lower parking lot & lined up in rows.  It was here we paid the $216.00 upcoming ferry ride fee for the Motorhome & Jeep.  I was in the company of logging trucks while Kelly was at the head of the line in another lane.

RE-ASSURING PHEEBS THE BOAT RIDE WILL BE JUST FINE

ALL LINED UP FOR THE FERRY & READY TO GO…KELLY’S AT THE HEAD OF HER LINE

CLOSE QUARTERS BUT IT GETS EVEN CLOSER ON THE FERRY

We had nearly an hour before boarding so took us for a wee walk around Little Tub harbor.  Too bad about the heavy cloud cover but that’s the way it was. 

 

THIS FELLOW WAS FEELING AS SOUR ABOUT THE WEATHER AS WE WERE

We were all back in our vehicles by 8:20 & a few minutes later the boarding process commenced.  I saw Kelly & the Jeep heading for the boat.   A minute later our line began to move & Pheebs & I were soon swallowed up inside the big whale as well. 

 

KELLY HEADS FOR THE BOAT RAMP WITH PHEEBS & I ABOUT A MINUTE BEHIND

Not a lot of room between vehicles & the key to getting it right is paying attention to the fellow’s hand signals who is directing you into your spot.  I did that & we had no problems.  I didn’t know where Kelly was but hoped she didn’t have to drive up one of those narrow steep ramps.  She didn’t.  Said good-bye to a very sad faced Pheebs & headed for a nearby stairwell to an upper deck.  Took me about 10 minutes of looking to find Kelly who had just taken about 10 minutes looking for me.

 

IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO DIRECTIVE HAND SIGNALS

THIS CHI-CHEEMAUN MODEL SHOWS HOW VEHICLES ARE PARKED ON THE BOAT DECK

Standing outside just under the bridge we watched as the big canoe slowly backed away from it’s mooring while lowering the large 50 ton bow.  We swung around & were soon on our way.  Had a stiff breeze blowing & the water was a bit choppy.  Could feel a slight rolling action but not enough to toss up our cookies.  There was also a slight mist in the air so the view was not the best.  Even the Islands we passed heading out were mere dark objects.  Had the sun been out we could have seen those Islands ablaze in their Fall colors.

 

THE CHI-CHEEMAUN BACKS AWAY FROM HER BERTH, SWINGS AROUND & HEADS FOR THE OPEN WATERS OF LAKE HURON & GEORGIAN BAY

 

LOOKING BACK TO WHERE WE’VE BEEN & LOOKING AHEAD TO WHERE WE’RE GOING

 

CAFETERIA & LOUNGE…WE SAT IN THEM BOTH

 

Spent some time on different outside deck levels both fore & aft before finally retreating inside where it was warmer.   I wasn’t hungry until we walked into the cafeteria & minutes later I had a plate of scrambled eggs with sausages, home fries toast & coffee.  And the price was even cheaper than most of the restaurants around Bayfield & Goderich.

A MIGHTY BIG BLUE SMOKE STACK

 

A CREW MEMBER HOSES DOWN THE DECK…WE WERE TOLD THIS WHOLE CHI CHEEMAUN CREW ARE NEWFOUNDLANDERS

  

ME & MY TOQUE…WE WERE DRESSED FOR A COLD DAMP WINDY CROSSING BUT IT WASN’T TOO BAD

The crossing is less that 2 hours & before long sitting in the lounge behind the bow I could make out a long dark object ahead on the distant horizon.  The mist had lifted & it was Manitoulin Island. 

MANITOULIN ISLAND DEAD AHEAD

 

A ladies voice finally came on the intercom telling people to head below decks & proceed to their vehicles for disembarking.  Luckily I remembered my stairwell & found the Big EEE right off.  A lot of people weren’t so fortunate as I saw many wandering about with puzzled looks on their faces trying to find their vehicles.

 

 

TIGHT QUARTERS & WE BEGIN TO ROLL OUT…KEEP IN MIND I AM USING A WIDE ANGLE LENS SO THAT EXIT POINT IS NOT AS FAR AWAY AS IT LOOKS

KELLY WAVES TO PHEEBS & I AS WE RUMBLE BY

Pheebe was absolutely ecstatic when I opened the rig’s door.  Her tail was wagging so fast it almost knocked all our furniture right out of the rig.  She had been just fine in the rig & nothing was asunder.  Wasn’t long & I saw daylight flooding in ahead.  The big stern door was open & we were soon moving.  Kelly gave me a big wave as Pheebs & I off the big canoe before she did.  Now, where were we going to find each other ashore??

 

HERE SHE COMES, SHE FOUND ME

Luckily I spotted a big parking area about 30 seconds after driving ashore so pulled in hoping Kelly would see the rig when she disembarked.  She did.  Hooked up the Jeep & took a walk back to-wards the Chi-Cheemaun for a few photos of the stern entrance plus a few photos around the harbor.  Despite the inclement weather we decided to head for Meldrum Bay anyway.   Forests were ablaze with un-lit subdued color.  Oh if it had only been sunny what a wonderland of candied colors we would have seen. 

I’M GUESSING AT SAND HILL CRANES HERE

Highway 542 is very winding with a lot of curves & old pavement plus gravel sections.  We averaged 40 mph. Took a drive into Providence Bay thinking we might stay there but drove right out again & went on to Gore Bay.

SLIPPING ON DOWN INTO GORE BAY

By the time we reached Gore Bay around two I was tired & my legs were bothering me.  Luckily we found a little spot near the water to pull in & stop.  Didn’t see any signs saying no overnight camping so decided to hunker down here for the night.

GORE BAY MARINA OVER YONDER

 

THIS IS BEFORE THE COLD WET RAINS BEGAN

About 3 o’clock a camper van pulled in beside us & man got out.  Figured oh-oh we’re going to have to move.  But no………this man was a long time Bayfield Bunch reader.  Reading my Sunday night post his wife Joan knew we were in the area & while driving (him & his wife live here) around he spotted us down by the water.  Dave Parker is one of those Senior semi jolly type Englishmen with that great English accent as well.  Said he & his wife have been reading my blog for years.  They go to Coyote Howls in Why Arizona for the winter so we had a lot in common to talk about.  Boy what a small world sometimes.  Just after Dave left to pick up his wife & bring her back the skies opened up & down came the rains.  They never made it back & I don’t blame anyone for not going out in a cold pouring rain.  Checking weather maps & channels it looks like the rains are here to stay for awhile.  Doesn’t look like we are going to head for Meldrum Bay now.  Not wanting to sit for days in the rig we’ll probably head out in the morning for Little Current, drive off the Island up through Espanola & continue our journey westward. 

DAVE POINTS OUT A FEW FEATURES IN OUR RIG SIMILAR TO HIS CLASS C TIOGA WHICH HE KEEPS IN WHY ARIZONA

And ‘OH-NO’ what is this we have just heard about a fire Sunday night on the set of where CORNER GAS was filmed in Rouleau Saskatchewan.  That Corner Gas site is one of the main reasons we are where we are right now.  That was our last Canadian destination before heading south across the border.  Ivan sent us an email informing us of the fire.  Several readers have since sent emails knowing that is where we were headed.  Kelly has been showing me pictures of the Foo Mart building that burned & it does not look like the Store between the Ruby & the Corner Gas building.  I’m thinking now that is not where the fire took place.  We will stay on this story to make sure it is not the location I want to see.  If it was it would mean we could be in for a major shift in the direction of our travel plans.  A major shift indeed!!  As I am set to post this tonight it is pouring rain, cold, & windy.  I have a feeling we will be heading for the main land first thing in the morning…………….

 

THANKS FOR TODAY’S GREAT MEMORIES MS CHI-CHEEMAUN

BYE BYE:))

GROANER’S CORNER:(( A man showed some friends his apartment. One guest asked "What's that big brass basin for?" "That's the talking clock," answered the man. He gave it an ear shattering pound with a hammer. Suddenly, a voice on the other side of the wall screamed, "Knock it off, it's 2 a.m., you idiot!"

BAYFIELD TO TOBERMORY ONTARIO…A GREAT FIRST DAY ON THE ROAD:))

It was a bee hive of activity this morning as we scurried about taking care of last minute things.  Went through our house check list half a dozen more times.  Last minute laundry, cleaning etc. etc.  Double checked to make sure all doors & windows were locked.  We have neighbors keeping an eye on the place for us plus our good neighbor Bruce will be coming in to check things.  We are also having our bathroom partially renovated while away so our good friend Rob from Deer Park Lodge  will be in & out over the winter months.  Rolled the rig out & pulled in front of the house to hook up the Jeep.  A quick good-bye to a couple neighbors & we climbed aboard.  I pulled the gearshift handle down into gear, stepped on the gas & had the big wheels rolling at 12:22 p.m.  We were finally on our way:))

AS I BACKED THE RIG OUT OF IT’S SPOT THIS MORNING I THOUGHT AHEAD 6 MONTHS TO THE MORNING I WILL BE DRIVING IT BACK INTO THIS SPOT AGAIN

 

JUST MINUTES AWAY FROM GETTING THE BIG WHEELS ROLLING

Having had no lunch our first stop was McDonald’s in Goderich followed by a $192.00 fuel stop just up the road.  From there it was a relaxing sunny afternoon 3.5 hour scenic fall color drive on quietly paved back roads for most of the way to Tobermory.  We knew all the traffic would be going the other way & it was.  All the week-enders were headed home & by the time we reached Tobermory we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves.  Unhooking the Jeep in Tobermory’s large information center parking lot  a cream colored car pulled up.  They had seen our Triple EEE roll through Wiarton.  They too were Triple E owners saying how much they too loved their coach. 

 

We found where the ferry parking lot was located & pulled ourselves into lane 4 where we knew to go from talking to folks at the reservation office a couple days ago.  We ended up being the only vehicle in the whole parking lot for the night.  Now how nice is that.

 

It was only a short minute walk to the Chi-Cheemaun (Ojibway for big canoe) docking area so we walked over to watch the ‘big canoe’ sail into the harbor & nestle into her resting place for the night.  We watched as many vehicles disembarked.  The Chi-Cheemaun was built in 1974 at a cost of 10 million dollars in the Collingwood Shipyards.  Carries approximately 140 vehicles & 638 passengers.  225,000 passengers a season. The bow visor alone weighs 50 tons.

OFF-LOADING THE BIG CANOE

  

 

STEEP RAMPS ARE LOWERED TO DISEMBARK MEZZANINE PARKED VEHICLES

 

I TOLD KELLY ALL THE VEHICLES LOADED IN THE MORNING HAVE TO BE BACKED ON…SHE WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THAT THOUGHT:))

We both remarked again tonight sitting in the rig how nice it is having all the additional space compared to our last couple shorter Class C’s.  We wisely left 2 of our 4 dining room chairs at home & appreciate that extra space as well.  We are just so totally happy with this rig.  And Kelly is so totally happy with her Blackberry phone which she received used from her daughter a year ago.  She spent time these past few months learning it’s capabilities & set up a plan for it.  Emails, etc.  I think it does everything except pour coffee.

SEEN IN THE PARKING LOT NEAR THE BOAT DOCK…DON’T ASK CAUSE I DON’T KNOW

And we are so fortunate to have a little doggy who travels so well.  Max used to whine a lot & Checkers just seemed to be frightened of the moving vehicle.  Pheebs just seems to love traveling.  Gets on the couch looking out the window wagging her tail.  Today she was walking around with her Teddy Bear while we were driving wanting to get a game of toys going.

A LOOK ACROSS THE HARBOR AT SOME NICE GLASS TOPPED TOUR BOATS

THIS NEW STATE OF THE ART POLICE BOAT WAS BUILT IN HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA JUST A YEAR AGO & I THINK IT MIGHT BE FOR DUTY HERE ON THE GREAT LAKES

 

So all & all we had a very fine first day without any glitches or screw ups.  The Gremlins left us alone.  Weather was great, rig ran well, very little traffic, & we got to see a big canoe at the end of the day.  Now that was a bonus.  I always enjoy seeing things I have never seen before. 

 

It will be an early start in the morning as this whole place comes alive around 7 a.m.  Apparently we get measured before boarding & I’m sure driving the rig onto the big canoe will be another experience.  Kelly will drive the Jeep on board separately.  It’s about a 2 hour crossing & Pheebs will stay below decks in the rig.  Oh & our Bell MiFi Turbo Hotspot is working like a charm & the internet is reasonably fast.  We’ll see how we make out Monday on Manitoulin Island.

 

GROANER’S CORNER:(( A lawyer was well into a lengthy cross-examination when he stopped and said: "Your honor, a juror is asleep." The judge ruled: "You put him to sleep; You wake him up."

AT LONG LAST….WE’RE READY TO GO:))

SPOTTED THIS GREAT BLUE HERON WINGING OVER OUR PARK’S POND THIS AFTERNOON
When we phoned about the ferry from Tobermory to South Baymouth about a month ago they said we didn't need reservations because this time of year it's not as busy as the summer.  Just to be sure Kelly phoned again this morning & it's a good thing she did.  We were planning on boarding the 8:50 a.m. ferry Monday morning & had she not double checked there wouldn't have been room for us.  Luckily we were able to reserve one of the last spots.  Seems like Monday morning is a busy time no matter what the season.  Lady on the phone said a lot of logging trucks heading north.  We will roll out of Bayfield Sunday afternoon maybe around 1 p.m. & head directly for the ferry dock parking area where we will spend the night in the lot & be lined up for boarding first thing in the morning.  Our plan on disembarking the CHI-CHEEMAUN (big canoe) at South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island is to drive 75 miles to the Islands westerly end where we will camp at a Marina camp ground near the MISSISSAGI LIGHT HOUSE for a day or two or maybe three depending on weather.  I may not be able to publish any posts while there because it sounds like internet signals are either very slow, sporadic, or non existent.  We will be traveling with a Bell Telephone modem while in Canada so we have our fingers crossed that will work for us in most places.  From previous long ago travels above Lake Superior I remember there being some fairly long stretches between civilizations.  Of course that was back in the early 70’s so who knows what it will be like now. 

 
A WATER LANDING & A GRASS STRIP TOUCHDOWN

In Friday's post I mentioned about Kelly doing a lot of cooking.  A reader wondered about getting that food across the border.  We plan to travel in Canada for the first 10 days or couple weeks before reaching the border somewhere in southern Saskatchewan so figure we'll have all our pre-cooked grub eaten by that time.  It seems the rules for what kind of foods allowed by Canadians to take across the border have a habit of frequently changing so it's always a good idea to either phone the border or just simply do not take any food with you to be on the safe side.

 
AND A COUPLE PICS TODAY OF OUR GOOD NEIGHBOR MONICA    


 

If I walked around the property to check & make sure everything was put away & secure I walked around the property a hundred times.  If I walked around the rig once checking all the bins I did it a hundred times & if I stepped up into the rig once & stood looking to see if everything was in order I did that a hundred times too.  And checking around the house before we leave constitutes another hundred walk-arounds.  It's just the way it is for our semi-annul 6 month departures from one country to another & back.

CHECKING BINS FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME
I think today had to be the most perfect weather day of the entire year.  It was so quiet in the forest this afternoon I could hear single leaves falling through branches to the forest floor all around us.  Shafts of  golden sunlight made their way through the forests dappled canopy alighting softly along our trail as Pheebs & I walked quietly in thought.  Well I was in quiet thought anyway with the only thought on Pheebs mind being the hurried scrambling of an occasional Squirrel along the way.

 

Ready to publish this post now & my mind thinks ahead 24 hours to where we will be Sunday night at this time.  It will be the first leg of our 6 month adventure & I like to think we will be parked alongside placid Georgian Bay waters in Tobermory's Little Tub Harbor enjoying a mighty fine Lake Huron sunset.  The first of many sunsets & sunrises we will see in our travels.   Thanks to all my readers who managed to stick with me through the thick & thin of another long summer.  Happy to have you all back aboard once more for another up coming season in the great American South-West................:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((  The old man had died. A wonderful funeral was in progress and the country preacher talked at length of the good traits of the deceased, what an honest man he was, and what a loving husband and kind father he was.  Finally, the widow leaned over and whispered to one of her children, "Go up there and take a look in the coffin and see if that's your Pa."