With continued rain forecasted for today, Wednesday, we decided to stay put and wait one day for clear weather following the passing weather front. All it did yesterday was rain. Good day to clean the inside of the boat and take of business via the Internet. We literally did not leave the boat the entire day. Cocktail hour started early! Today we walked to town and to the grocery store, picked up a few replacement items, and “borrowed “ the store’s buggy to bring our haul back to the boat. The grocery folks know the marina folks will return the buggy so they’re okay with this standard practice. Such is life in a small town. And actually the grocery was fairly well stocked given the size of the community.

Tomorrow we head east to Gore Bay, ON via the North Channel. I’m told the trip is 88 nm so I’m planning for a 5-6 hour trip. The Admiral has called for reservations (really none are needed at this time of year) and dock master has already given us our slip assignment, bathroom and WiFi codes since no one will be there! He’ll see us the next day for us to settle up. Again, that’s life in small towns and on the water. The dock master here at DeTour told me she has experienced only one no pay in five years on the job. I’d say boaters are a pretty honest bunch! Once we get to Gore Bay we are required to check in with Canadian border patrol and identify ourselves. Last year the drill was very simple and easy: call 1-800 and talk to an agent. Once cleared you’re issued a number that is to be displayed in your boat for a couple of days. The number alerts patrolling agents that you’ve been cleared and to let you be.

We’re looking forward to seeing Gore Bay and having a forecasted seven days of sunshine and temperatures in the 70’s!!

I've checked down the engine room, rinsed the boat of midges, set our waypoints, and got our international calling plan for the cell phones. Data downloads are limited to 10 gigabytes per day so I hope we have good Internet connection. Otherwise, data hungry posts such as photos nay be delayed until we get to the States or have a good Internet connection.