#1: [09-Jun-02]

15-Jun-2002 -- Written by Moab, the Dog

Between playing fetch and sniffing crotches, us Canines have very little use for confluence projects. Then I heard that 45N 80W was just off the main channel north of Georgian Bay National Park/Honey Harbour. This meant my master, Dave Barton, would have to get the boat out of storage and go on the water. ‘Good chance to get wet’ I thought. The next fetch I made was the nautical charts, Barb’s enthusiasm and Neil’s navigation skills (picture 6).

The day was looking good, rain was falling in buckets, the ground was soaked and it was nice and cool. Camping on the biggest island of the 30,000 islands, Beaujolais Island, was going to be heaven. Something went wrong as night fell and the boat was not yet launched. Someone mentioned staying at Delawana Resort for the night. Before I knew it, the bark collar was on and I was cooped up in a prissy room with a fireplace going (picture 7). At least the party poopers took me for a run.

Early in the morning we were out on the water, it was overcast but dry. The 25 km trip follows marker buoys from Honey Harbor to 45N 80W and was fast in the trusty J-craft. It was great to smell adventure again and the have wind flap at my ears. We steadied the boat to get our pictures and then Barb and Neil decided to love me up. Yech. (picture 8)

We were back before breakfast. While they had their buffet, I had the bark collar back on and only got kibble in the room. I would have felt really cheated but as the day cleared we went up to the old stomping ground, Beaujolais Island, to go hiking. I was able to chase plenty of squirrels and birds; felt truly alive during the game of water fetch and learned how to dog paddle. It doesn’t get better than this (picture 9).

In the Georgian Bay of Lake Huron, about 400 m from some islets.