Friday, July 18, 2025, Gibson Cove

I was up early to post the blog as usual. I got the princess up at 7:45, which was unusual, to go on a dinghy tour of the harbor with me. It was a little cool but still a nice ride. The harbor is long and we rode all the way to the other end, taking pictures and enjoying the scenery. We only used 16% of our battery and it was all charged up during our trip to Gibson Cove. Following are some photos we took this morning in Moiles Harbor. One thing worth mentioning about Moiles is that Annie has had almost no bugs on her in two days of anchoring. 

Hurry to shore, Daddy!

Former dock.

Expensive Tea Holder

The trip today was pleasant and mostly uneventful. There is one narrow passage where you announce that you are passing through, when and what direction. Two boats won't fit past each other because of water level rocks and you can't see someone entering from the other side. It's called Little Detroit. I had to wait for one boat to clear and another boat waited for me to clear. Busy morning. We traveled 15 1/2 miles today in 2 hours and 15 minutes. We've gone 445 NM so far.

Water level rocks make Little Detroit narrower than it looks. 

It's deep in Gibson Cove. We put out all 100' of our chain, and then some rope rode on top of that. I had to get my knot book out to remind me how to tie a rolling hitch on the rope rode to act as a snubber and take the strain off the windlass. Usually we just clip the snubber onto our chain. There was only one boat here, tied to a tree in the corner. We anchored well away from him. Kerry said he was probably glad once we did when he saw me out there with my knot instruction guide. 

We invited the Orro's over for a blackened shrimp linguine dinner. It's one of my favorites and Peter's too. We took a nice dingy ride around the cove. Back at Annie we cleaned up, read and prepared the evenings dinner. 

Gibson Cove has many interesting rock formations.

I made a reservation at Gore Bay for Monday evening and also an appointment for a haircut. This will be our final night in a Canadian town this trip. Once we leave Gore Bay we will anchor a couple more nights then set sail for the USA. Usually we leave from Gore Bay and go to Presque Isle, Mi. It's 71 miles. If we leave from Long Point Cove it will only be 65 miles. So, we hope to leave from Long Point Cove or somewhere nearby. We'll wait for a good weather day in the Straights of Mackinac. 

Peter tested his motor today and it seems that replacing the sparkplug did the trick as the motor ran and started much better. It did shut off once, so a tune up could be beneficial. Peter and Marianna are going to remain up after we leave, and will go home the Canadian coast when they return.

Marianna captured a picture of the captain reading in his favorite spot on the bow. 

Speaking with the Orros in their dinghy

Peter and Marianna arrived at 5:00-ish for drinks and dinner. We had drinks and snacks in the pilot house which had a lovely breeze blowing through it. Marianna checked out Annie's screen doors as she would like to add screen doors to Voyager. The biting flies can be relentless without protection.

Dinner was Kerry's always wonderful blackened shrimp alfredo. We also had cranberry salad and a delicious little pizza that Kerry made by baking a tortilla covered with basil and freshly ground mozzarella cheese. That was the hit of the meal. It was crispy and really good. Cookies and cigars followed the dinner. Kerry always sets a festive dinner table. As usual we had fun together.

Everyone was home and closed up before the mosquitoes came for their anticipated feast. But they were frustrated again. Looking at them buzzing all over our port window screens made it obvious they were really hungry. There were still a few buzzing around in the morning. 

We agreed to go to Hotham Island tomorrow and probably on Sunday. It's just a couple miles west.