Sept 18-19, Byng Inlet/Britt

We left Bayfield this morning about 8:15 as the wind lessened to 10 mph this morning and headed 15 miles north to Byng Inlet. This route included about 10 miles that were “outside” in the open water of the Georgian Bay. When the wind is blowing 15-20 mph from the west or southwest the wave height in the Georgian Bay can be 3-6 feet. We try not to move “outside” on those days. Today the wind was blowing 10-15 mph from the east and so the land provided shelter for our trip this morning.



Lighthouse entering Byng Inlet

Wright's Marina

As soon as we arrived at Wrights Marina, in Byng Inlet, we tried to have the boat pulled out of the water to check the damage and change the prop(s). Wright's uses a hydraulic trailer to haul and launch boats and as we positioned KOKOMO II over the trailer, we found the trailer was not long enough for the boat. We could have taken a chance and pulled the boat in an emergency (like if we had been taking on water) but since it was not an emergency the yard suggested we go on to Little Current where they have a large travel lift. We are comfortable travelling slowly and the boat is watertight, so we decide to move to a marina where we have the right equipment. Little Current is about 70 miles in the direction we are heading to get to Michigan.

Our next stop is Killarney, about 50 miles away including 15 miles “outside”. There is a “high wind” advisory is now posted for the Georgian Bay through Saturday so we will stay here until conditions improve. This is a good place to wait for better weather.

KOKOMO II next to the park like setting at Wright's Marina

At Wright’s Marina we are out of the wind, have 30 amp power, high speed internet and are next to a beautiful lawn and flower garden just below the owner’s home.

Byng Inlet and Britt (the town is Britt on the south side of the inlet) were settled settled 140 years ago as a lumber mill and then later became a coal re-supply stop for the railroad. There is still are an oil depot here to supply the railroad, with a big marine tanker coming here several times a year. The tanker must fill up the whole channel.

Linda admires the flowers.

Owen checks out the tree growing out of a crack in the granite.

Linda on a big slab of rock.

Temperature overnight Thursday was 41 degrees. Friday is a pretty day with temperatures rising to the low 70’s and the wind has increased to 15-20 mph from the west with higher winds expected tonight. The calendar says it is still summer but the weather is blustery and it feels like fall.

Kayakers and fishermen prepare to head out into the back country.

It is a windy day on the water.

We watch several groups of fishermen and kayakers leave from the marina to go to the more remote areas of the upper Georgian bay. The kayakers are paddling and camping. The fishermen head out to remote fish camps. These are hardy people.