Continuing through Georgian Bay: Parry Sound, Anchorage near Stairs Island and Ojibway Island, and Britt

On Tuesday, July 28 we left Port Severn South Bay Cove Marina to head to Parry Sound to Big Sound Marina. The weather looked windy for the next 2 days so we didn't want to anchor just yet. We left at 7 am to try and beat some later winds that day. We passed more beautiful scenery, including our friends cottage we had just visited the other day. We were getting used to the navigation which has  narrow channels to avoid rocks. There was one swing bridge we knew about but didn't quite time it right because we had to wait an hour for it to open so we anchored and waited. We got settled into Big Sound Marina about 1:30. We later explored the town with Lance and Sue starting with dinner at Henry's Harbor Georgian Bay, known for their fish and chips. We had the pickerel (we know as walleye) and it was excellent. Although I didn't get a photo, I did get one of the dessert Biscoff pie which was amazing! From this area you can take a 10,000 Islands Cruise to see more of Georgian Bay or a sea plane tour! We walked to the downtown area and viewed the car show there. 

We stayed another day in Parry Sound due to winds and so we visited the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Museum. He was a famous hockey player and was from Parry Sound. We also, with Lance and Sue, had dinner at the Trestle Brewing Company. It overlooks a train bridge and also is adjacent to an old train bridge that is now a pedestrian bridge. 

On Thursday, July 30 we headed to our first anchorage in Georgian Bay.  We chose Stair Island Anchorage. We left at 9 am from Big  Sound Marina and went though the  open and deep waters of Parry Sound. I saw a depth of over 300 feet. After this we had to weave through narrow channels surrounded by  rocks and beautiful scenery and lighthouses and we arrived at the Stairs Island anchorage about 12:30. There were 3 other boats already there but there was room for us and our buddy boat The Dash. We took the dinghy out to explore a couple areas we knew of. We went through a narrow rock area they call a "Hole in the Wall". There was a beach on either side which we tried later but it was a little windy for swimming there. We made our way to Ojibway Island. This is only accessible by boat and has a hotel and a club. The area is a member-only club and they have a lot of activities for kids. It looked like an old fashioned summer camp in a way.  Anyone can visit, though,  and they have a cafe, ice cream, a gift shop and even a grocery store for those who live on the island. We shopped for souvenirs, got some groceries and had ice cream. Later back at the boat Tim and I lounged on our raft in the water. We had a great charcuterie board for dinner that Tim made. We enjoyed seeing the Loons there and my brother-in-law Ron reminded me that this  is the bird on the Canadian one dollar coin thus it is called a "loonie". We saw a very pretty moon-rise that night also. 

On Friday, July 31 we left Stairs Island anchorage at 8:30 and made our way to the open waters of Georgian Bay. We passed the famous light house and actual spot where they used a barrel light before the lighthouse was built to guide boats into Pointe au Baril (translation Barrel Point).   We made it to Byng Inlet and Wright's Marina in the town of Britt by 12:30. The staff was friendly and were very helpful with docking. There is a nice store there too. We didn't see much of a town but took the dinghy to their "sister" marina, St. Armant's and had dinner at Blake's Memories of Muskota. Our next stop will be Killarney Mountain Lodge which is popular with loopers and many others. We will stay at the marina but have access to all the Lodge has to offer! Stay tuned for more adventures in Killarney and the North Channel!