Pink Granite and Peaceful Inlets

Discovered by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1615, Georgian Bay stretches 120 miles from southeast to northwest and is 50 miles wide and 540 feet deep at its deepest part; it is almost as large as Lake Ontario. With Haden’s capable help, we cruised up the Bay, passing Parry Sound, Pointe au Baril, and Bying Inlet. Dense forests along the shore fell back to reveal mile after mile of polished pink granite outcroppings and treacherous rocks, the roots of ancient mountains scoured clean by glaciers during the last ice age 11,000 years ago. A 40-foot boat similar to ours ran aground an hour behind us, and we listened to the radio as the Canadian Coast Guard called for nearby boats to assist until rescue crews could arrive.

Rocks On Georgian Bay

With the Coast Guard in mind, we threaded our way carefully among the rocks for the rest of the day, finding shelter for the night in a beautiful anchorage among the Bustard Islands. The islands’ sleeping shores beckoned exploration, and a full moon glistened across the water after it finally got dark around 10 pm. It was calm and tranquil - a perfect place to spend the night.

Leaving Bustard Islands Anchorage