We left mid-morning to traverse the expanse of Parry Sound which was calm as it is very protected. The landscape here is less developed than other parts south of here due to the fact that most of Parry Island forming part of the boundary of Parry Sound is all First Nation reservation and largely free of vacation cottages. This part of the Georgian Bay seemed like the beginning of a less settled and less-developed landscape with the shores showing diminishing frequency of signs of human settlement.


[photos to follow]


After clearing the Killbear Peninsula and heading out in the direction of the Georgian Bay, we passed through the picturesque and narrow Canoe Channel and then turned north toward Snug Harbour - where we had hoped to have lunch and anchor in nearby Regatta Bay. However, the weather was not cooperating and it looked like a dismal wet lunch were we to stay. So we headed up the Shebeshkong Channel and then continued up the Shanagawa Channel where we decided that staying in the anchorages in the lee side of Nadeau Island would have been as wet and soggy as our lunch option so we plodded on further.


[photos to follow]


At this point we passed the Pointe au Baril Channel and Lighthouse - the locals pronounce it "point o'barrel" with no French inflections. In fact just past the lighthouse - there is a barrel on a post to emphasize where you are! We headed out into the Georgian Bay - the seas were about 2-3 feet but we agreed we could take the 45 minutes or so of bumpiness to arrive at the Byng Inlet and reach Wright's Marina.


The Byng Inlet is clearly a small glacial fjord carved into the hard reddish grey granite of the Canadian shield. The further we got into the inlet the calmer the waters and were warmly welcomed by the Wright's Marina staff. After tying off and settling in, we ventured down the rural country lane past trailer houses and arrived at the building at St Amant's marina that served as the grocery store, the liquor store (LCBO) and the only restaurant in town. It was great to be out of the soggy bumpy mess out on the Georgian Bay.


[photos to follow]