I finished giving the salon a coat of Cetol, and we left shortly after 6:00, headed for Winnipeg.

We made a stop for coffee, on our way out of the city, and then didn’t stop again until Dryden, where we got gas.  We arrived in Winnipeg shortly after 2:00, and stopped at the Co-op for a few groceries.  We attended the apartment’s Happy hour and birthday night- many people were happy to see us and had been following the blog. The puzzle table is being well used in the lounge, and several puzzles have already been completed by the group. It was nice to be home, and sleeping in our own beds. Arlene had all the mail waiting for us, and had been watering my Kale plant- so it continues to grow.   On Friday morning, Andy was off to full-fill his 2 blood work requests, and I went to the gym and got reacquainted with the rowing machine—30 minutes was a long time, after being away from it for almost 2 months.  I had a  Ladie’s lunch date with Andy’s cousins at Fion McCool’s , while the guys went to the Curtis hotel—we later all met on Kathie’s patio for more wine.  On our  home we ran a few more errands.  In the evening, we went up to the lounge and learned to play the horse racing game. On Saturday morning, we drove out to Tyndall to see Erin, Jason and Jack—Andy wanted to get another lesson in drone flying, as well as seeing if Jason could fix his broken boat hook, and share with Jack what he would be doing on his 10 day vacation with us.   We stopped at Princess Auto for boat oil and other supplies. That night we watched the Bombers lose yet again on TV.  On Sunday, Andy went to our other princess auto location to buy boat hooks, and he met a friends for coffee.   We lazed around a little in the afternoon, and did some cleaning and re-arranging stuff.  We also started packing our suitcases for our late September trip to Ireland.

Monday began Andy’s marathon of Doctor’s appointments and tests. He saw the thoracic surgeon at 9am, and got the green light for hernia surgery in the next six months He also briefly saw the Urologist, who works in the same building.  We then went to see our family doctor to fill out pre-op  paperwork for the hernia.  But we learned that Dr Shabayo was on vacation—Andy was told he could come back to Lakewood the next morning, and see the Dr. at the walk-in who could fill out the paperwork, using Andy’s medical records.  Next stop Monday was the Misericordia  hospital for a CT scan.  Andy did a couple more errands on his way home.  We also went out and bought British Pounds and Euros for our upcoming vacation.    We had an enjoyable supper and evening at the Cappers and learned a new dice game called “Farkle”?

On Tuesday, after the gym, I went to my crochet/knitting class—not a lot of knitting was done by me—I mainly pulled out the yarn on a towel I had been making on the boat,  that was more kite shaped than square.  Was good practice—will try to knit it correctly the second time.  We had some great discussion;  Tuesday morning crochet  is becoming my favourite activity. In the afternoon I did  more packing, and  realized we likely have more stuff to take back to Thunder Bay, than the little SUV can hold—so came up with a solution—Stuff we didn’t need immediately could be brought by Erin, when she picks up Jack on August 11^th. 

In the afternoon, Andy had an appointment with the Endocrinologist,  she was extremely happy with his progress, and gave him 5 stars and graduated him—his diabetes treatments will now be overseen by our family doctor.  Tuesday night Erin and Jack came for supper, as Jack was going to spend the night with us, so we could have an early 6am start.  We packed and repacked the car several times that evening, getting everything to fit, including Jack- although his 6 foot body was squished like a pretzel in the back seat with very little room around him.

We left before 6, and stopped at Clear water Bay, and again in Dryden for short rests and gas.

Back in Thunder Bay. While on the road, Andy got a phone call from another boater, who had hit the back of our dinghy while he was waiting to gas up a couple days before.  We said we would assess the damage once we were back at the marina.  We arrived around 2:30, and started to haul everything to the boat—it was great having a second able-bodied person to help.  I called my friend Teresa to see if she could take me grocery shopping at some point—so that Andy and Jack could return the rental car before the 5 pm deadline.

On Thursday, we left the marina and just got through the break wall, when the Starboard engine started acting up and then quit.  So back to Prince Arthur landing- gas dock.  Andy called his new friend Tim for advice, and Tim sent Cody down to assist us- likely an air lock.  We thought it was fixed, and ventured out again, only for it to happen again, Cody returned did some more bleeding on the fuel fittings on the engine, and we set off again, this time with Cody in the engine room- same fault.  On returning to the marina, we decided that the secondary fuel filters may need to be changed, and Cody did this.  By this time, the starter battery would hardly turn over- it was boosted but still weak– so we decided to call it a day, and get a slip for another night.  Cody returned in the morning, and changed the fuel separator—which was the cause of our issues—it was plugged up- so the engine was being starved of fuel.  We went on one more test run, and all was good,

We returned to the marina to let Cody off the boat, and then prepared to leave.  We cast off at 12:20 headed for Sibley peninsula and the Sleeping giant.  

We passed by  Silver islet, Porphyry lighthouse and Snaganash light house and continued on to the Loon islands—we anchored between Spain, Chapleau and Borden for the night- having gone 50 miles from TBay  Very peaceful! 

On Saturday afternoon, we moved 12 miles to Otter cove, where we had read there was good fishing, a moose  feeding ground and a waterfall.  When Andy did the fuel check he noticed that we were not using any fuel on the starboard side- and realized that the return valve between the engines was shut off.   Andy opened it so that the tanks could equalize.  We spent the day doing cleaning in some of the storage lockers.  On Sunday we moved a little farther down the bay.  In the afternoon, we launched the dinghy,  I had planned to row Jack and I to the waterfall.  Although I work out on the rowing machine at the apartment block—the movements of doing it in a boat are quite different—I was pathetic, and we went around in circles.  Jack and I switched places and he rowed us to the waterfall—the last 100 feet was very shallow, with lots of logs underwater.   Jack got us there – and I didn’t even get my shoes wet.  We trekked through the paths, found the waterfall, and I took some pictures.

Returning to the boat, we realized we were creeping into to very shallow water, so we decided to move back to some deeper water.  On starting the engines for the move, Andy found out that the Starboard engine wouldn’t start.    He contacted David, our electrical magician, for some advice, using what’s app—as no cell phone service where we were.   Andy  tried a few things and then suspected it was the key switch–  so did some by-pass work–  but still no luck.

On Monday morning, we decided to leave limping in to Red Rock using only the Port engine. It took us  about 5 hours to go 38 miles, some of which was in the Nipigon Channel, between the mainland and Fluor or St Ignace islands.  We did notice that even thought the Port engine was running, that no power was going into the house bank—which we thought was strange.  Something we will need to address for future- maybe a battery combiner?  After docking, Andy did some more trouble shooting, and realized that the neutral battery post on the Port labelled battery had melted.  He replaced this battery, with our redundant spare—and the engine fired up and it also began charging the house.  We will need to buy another spare battery in the very near future.

On Tuesday morning, after showers, Jack and I walked into town to reprovision at the grocery store,  Andy asked Bev from the marina if  she could find a home for a rusty anchor and some chain, we also wanted to dispose of the useless battery.  Both items were taken from the boat.  On our return from shopping, we moved the boat to the fuel dock and topped up the tanks.  We then departed, going back down the Nipigon channel and around Fluor to anchor or dock  at CPR slip on the east side of  St. Ignace Island in a very secure bay.   We were told that the area had been excavated years ago for the ballast used along the CPR lines. This place was similar to what we had experienced at Thompson Island a few weeks back—the island is privately owned, has a lounge area/bunkhouse,  a shared BBQ area, sauna, fire pit, trails  and several docks.  Once again rafting is the norm—we tied up to a sail boat.  The area is around a gravel spit and has protection from all sides.   Once we were settled in, we met people from the other 9 boats, already tied up.  We knew  a few already–Tim and Suzie, Suzie’s  sister Leslie and Chris, and her parents- Brenda and Dave.  There was an 86 year old, Doug- who spends a lot of time here at CPR in the summer. There was another person, Ron,  tied up on a sail boat, who actually lives at Victoria Beach, north of Winnipeg, but boats out of Ontario.  Andy chatted with him for quite awhile, as he has taken his sailboat to Newfoundland, Labrador, and done most of the Down East Loop.  After dinner there was a camp fire, and most of the kids made smores and played. Jack was really good with the younger children, here he is with Cooper at the campfire.  Once it was dark, and the mosquitos came out most people returned to their boats.

On Wednesday morning we left before 10 am headed for an anchorage at Wilson Island, about 30 miles away.  At 12:15, we ran into an issue—can you guess what happened?

We were on the wrong side of an island and encountered a rock shoal.  Not good! Andy called Tim, who found us someone in Rossport, that would come out to pull us off.  While we waited, both Andy and I got into the water.  How many people can say they walked around their boat in Lake Superior—The stern of the boat was in about 3.5 feet of water, but the bow was in about 2.5.   There was nothing Andy and I could do to move the monster. Chris and his son Peter arrived around 2:15 with a boat with a 90HP motor, after a few attempts with a single rope, we both put bridles on and he was successful at pulling us off.  We followed him to Rossport to assess the damage.  No water was coming in, however there was a vibration.  Peter took a couple pictures of the props, and they were still there.  We tied up Rossport- not knowing what to do- a sleepless night, because of worry, trains, wind and waves.

  In the morning, Jack our techno grand kid was able to get our Safaire camera working and took an underwater video, confirming that the props and rudders were intact, but each of the 6 flutes had some damage- the port prop seemed worse than the starboard. 

When the staff at the marina arrived,  we asked if we could stay a couple more nights, and possibly plug in for power as the forecast was for cloudy and rainy weather.  We decided to stay put in Rossport- known as the “Gateway to the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation area”and have Erin pick up Jack here—as we couldn’t make Marathon for Saturday- and didn’t want to move much without a full assessment of the damage. As the day progressed a plan emerged- thanks again to Tim.  He was in Red Rock for the music festival and had found a trailer that could likely pull us out to exchange the props.  Tim is really an angel in disguise, and  has got us out of all of our recent predicaments–  hard to believe  we only met him July 21^st.  Will definitely be a lifelong friend—I think Andy already has him on speed dial!

We will travel to Red Rock on Sunday, once Jack has left .  The rain continued for most of the day, but it became warm and sunny later in the afternoon.  We had a quiet night—I had book club, and it was nice to connect with the group by zoom.  It rained several times during the night, and there were only a couple of trains- so we slept somewhat better- knowing there was a plan.

On Friday, it rained off an on for most of the day, and the wind, went from calm to gusting.  Jack and I went for a short walk down main street,  Andy called the Serendipity restaurant to make a reservation for the evening.  We walked over at 5:30 and had a really good meal- Andy had the prime rib special, and Jack and I chose Greek salad with either  mediterranean chicken and spanakopita.  Food was really good.

When we got back to the boat- Andy and I watched a few episodes of Coronation—we are weeks behind.   It was a chilly night, and we kept the heater on- warming up the boat while we slept.  I can’t image what it would have been like without power here for 4 days.

In the morning, we saw this rainbow over Rossport—hopefully it is a sign that our week is going to get better. 

We heard that Erin was on the way at 8 a.m. so she should be here in about 11 hours.  We dug out the spare props, which reside under our bed and placed them in a box on the sundeck.

  At one point, a visitor on the dock suggested that instead of going all the way to Red Rock to be pulled out that we should try and find a diver that could change the props.  We spent some time doing that—one guy could come out on Sunday- but didn’t have the right tools and no guarantees that he could accomplish the task.  We decided our better bet was to limp into Red Rock- yet again, and get pulled out with the town grater and someone’s trailer. 

Erin and her cousin Shannon arrived around 7:30, and we visited and showed them their sleeping quarters in the ON BUSINESS hostel.  Jack got bumped from the V-berth to sleeping on the dining room table—which he said was also not soft enough for sleeping. In the morning after some more visiting, and a few pictures of the crew, and 3 generations of McKendry’s, Erin, Shannon and Jack left.

  They were headed to the Amethyst mine, and other sites in TBay before heading down to Duluth for a few days.

Here is Jack’s take on spending time on the boat: 

Highlight: we ended up high centre on rocks enroute to an anchorage, met a few people and had some nice times and I learned lots of things about the boat. I learned that it is always good to have a straw in your tool box, because you never know when you might need it to fill a filter- and a straw might fit.  I saw some very nice places to visit on Lake Superior.

 It was great having him aboard, an extra set of hands and technical skills that Grandpa and I lacked😊

  Once they were gone, we unplugged, fired up the engines and left at 9:20 for Red Rock at 6 MPH, we passed Simpson, St Ignace, Vert Island and La Grange,  waves were less than 2 feet for most of the journey as we were sheltered by the islands.

 

We went 36 miles and arrived just after 3 PM.

We topped up our fuel, pumped out, filled our water and did laundry, in hopes that we will continue our journey Eastward.

UPDATE: Unable to be pulled out in Red Rock– too risky, so we made the 12 hour trip back to TBAY at 7.5 MPH. Hope to get lifted out of the water tomorrow for a damage assessment and prop change.

UPDATE: Aug 13

Successful prop exchange- our journey will continue Eastward tomorrow.