Vidal Bay, Manitoulin Island, Canada

Entry # 97: N45.55.919, W83.00.011

Tuesday, August 6th, (Day 92) – Boy, I am still struggling with motivation this morning. The favourable forecast called for blue skies with perfect northwest winds 5 to 10 knots and 1-2′ seas and I am still not looking forward to sailing. No excuses. I finally left my slip around 8:30 am, fueled and embarked under sail heading northeast towards Manitoulin Island, Canada. The North Channel is truly picturesque with dozens of islands dotting the northern shores of Drummond Island. I found myself motor sailing to facilitate avoiding shoals and islands. In the late morning I waved to a passing couple and their dog in their Cape Dory sailboat. They were also headed east and soon disappeared on the horizon ahead of me. I had enjoyed the relaxed sailing conditions that morning and was making good time.

The skies became overcast and the winds slowly began to climb into the upper teens (knots) with the seas choppy. I needed to take things more seriously as high winds were forecast beginning around 5 pm with thunderstorms from the northwest through the night. I had planned on anchoring that night and had targeted Vidal Bay on the north end of Manitoulin Island some forty-four miles from where I had set out earlier in the morning. Vidal Bay appeared to offer decent protection and good anchoring.

I rounded the peninsula and entered Vidal Bay around 5:30 pm with winds and seas continuing to build. I picked out what I determined would be an ideal spot to anchor along the west shoreline. Unfortunately I ended up disturbing a beautiful Golden Eagle as I put in anchor about 50 feet from the edge of the heavily wooded shoreline. The eagle had been sitting less than a 100′ feet from where I had anchored and flew off before I could take its picture! I felt sorry for having disturbed it.

Since Manitoulin Island is a Canadian territory, I dutifully reported to the Canadian authorities. Reception was weak and it took three calls before I was successful in getting my authorization number. I had dinner (which comprised of canned salmon, crackers and sparkling water) on deck and watched two additional sailboats arrive and anchor. We were the only evidence of humans in the otherwise pristine bay. I finished off a Symphony chocolate bar for desert.

I fell asleep early while reading only to be suddenly awaken from a dream where I had lost my bowsprit and both anchors and ended up drifting into a subdivision full of houses. I jumped out of the cabin only to find my anchors secure and the treeline protecting NTL in calm waters. I went below and went back to sleep.