On the Water with As You Wish: Aug 15 A TOP 10 DAY!! Mills Lake to Covered Portage Cove and on to Killarney

Aug 15

I can not even begin to describe what an amazingly awe-inspiring day this has been! Mother Nature gave us views that can only be described as unbelievable. The North Channel as this section of Lake Huron is much less developed. Hence, we’ve been at anchor at times for multiple days without internet access to update the blog. It also means fewer cottages and more undeveloped land. The scenery has continued to change. Replaced by the low smooth rounded pink granite islands we’ve now begun our transition into the more heavily wooded ridges of quartz and granite rising up higher in elevation. The water is now colder but very clear. Another milestone today, we have now exceeded 2,000 miles on the trip! Right at 4 months since we started so we remain on track for going full circle in 12 months.

We began our day transiting the remainder of Collins Cut. We covered about 1/3 of it yesterday before pulling into Mill Lake to anchor for the day. The wind was blowing, it was cool and overcast and just not the most picturesque anchorage. I went to bed feeling just so-so and wasn’t expecting much for the balance of Collins Cut. But this morning the sun was out bright as we pulled up anchor promising temperatures back into the 70’s. There was just an occasional puffy white cloud and no breeze worth mentioning. It laid the water down into a reflective pool that created virtually magical mirrored images off the cliffs and trees on either side of our passage. It was hard not to continue taking picture after picture as around each bend was another startling image where it became hard to decipher where land stopped and water began. This continued for several miles before entering the larger part of the North Channel where we continued to enjoy fine calm seas in the open water crossing to Killarney.

A bit disorienting with the reflections

As You Wish leading the way

Our buddy boat - Cat n Dogs

Flat calm in the open crossing to Killarney

The "Little light on the Red Rock" aka Killarney Lighthouse-

Our original plan had us stooping at a marina in Killarney for the night but we altered our plans and decided to go explore an anchorage called Covered Portage Cove which is known for it’s clear waters, scenic setting and trail up above the anchorage for a good photo opportunity before returning to Killarney for the evening and dinner. Again, entering the cove was almost magical with sheer cliffs rising up from the north side and woodlands rising up from the south. We set the anchor, dropped the dingy and set off for a landing where a trail began the climb to the top of the cliffs.

On the hook in the cove

Hiking to the top

Tranquil view

While not a particularly long trail, it was a bit arduous due to some steeper sections, but worth every bit of effort. The views were unbelievable as you looked down on the cove and the boats below settled in the clear blue waters. All along the trail were wild blueberry bushes so we also gathered up some for use in our breakfast cereal. Wild Blueberries are VERY small and it takes a lot of picking to collect just a few handfuls – hindered even more as you’re eating them along the way. Also hindered by constantly looking around for potential bears known to be in the area as evident by multiple sightings of their scat.

We reluctantly pulled up anchor from this beautiful cove and headed to Sportsman's Inn Marina where we had reservations for the evening. Very prompt, helpful and professional dock hands. Dinner was at Herbert's “World Famous” Fish and Chips with several other loopers. We all agreed it was probably the best we had on the trip so far. Lightly battered, fried just right, super fresh fish caught from their own fleet right here on Lake Huron and pretty darn good fries too. Finished the day with yet another stunning sunset!