Arrival in Meldrum Bay
The log for the day reads:
9/1/92 - Arrived Meldrum Bay - 46 NM, (8:40 - 16:30), wind 12 knots, NW engine on 8 hrs, 40 min
It was another day of motoring. As I approached the gap between the Manitoulin and Drummond Island there was great anticipation. This was the gateway to the North Channel. But I still had more than an hour of motoring to go before I was able to weigh anchor.
As I arrived in Meldrum bay, the contrast between the day of motoring and the conditinos in the bay were dramatic. The trees surrounding the bay blocked the wind. So I went from waves, wind, sound to nearly dead quiet. Remote. Off in the distance, a lone motor was heard. It belonged to a single engine aircraft probably 3 miles away. That was it. The peace and quiet overcame me like two stiff shots of 16 year old single malt scotch whiskey. This is why I made the trip. (I am actually writing this in 2008, recalling the arrival, and the memory is still vivid).
The procedure for passing customs is to find a phone and call in upon arrival in a Canadian port. So my first stop was to the dock at Meldrum Bay with some gas docks and a building. The building looked to be on the end of the road (about 7 miles?) that runs from end to end through the Manitoulin Island. A sign on the gas docks said “For gas call xxx-xxxx). The place was unattended. The “lodge” was unlocked. Inside was a payphone, I called customs, returned to my boat, and anchored out in the bay for the evening. I never did actually see anyone.
Tags: North Channel
