Historians say that the granite bedrock exposed by the glaciers of the last ice age formed the largest chain of fresh water islands in the world known as Georgian Bay. But, if you believe the legend, the 30,000 islands were formed when the god who guarded the whole bay, Kitchikewana, upset by his spurned affections for Wanakita, threw a wad of soil from one end of Beausoleil Island to the other in a fit of anger.
Whichever story you believe, the ensuing formations were a sight to behold and the waters flowing between them breathtaking.
We took a ride around Honey Harbour and decided to anchor just off Beausoleil Island in Chimney Bay through the Big Dog Channel. Along the way we passed homes scattered across the landscape perched on the granite boulders which lined the shores.
After the anchor was secure, we lowered Baby Belle into the water and made our way to Frying Pan Bay to explore and absorb the scenery. We took Little Dog Channel which was a more apropos route for our current method of transportation. We skated passed the rocks and lily pads as we entered the small craft channel we were on earlier that day. The channel was lively as people were boating up and down the bay around us.
We decided to beach Baby Belle and go for a hike on Beausoleil Island and then have a barbecue at one of the campsites at the water’s edge. The hike was mostly enjoyable except these mosquitoes seem to be immune to American bug spray. But, I sucked it up and trudged on…the wine helped of course. It was all in all a perfect day right down to the sunset. However, the clean up was a bit hasty as I noticed the bear warning signs on my way to the garbage and wanted to skedaddle before the smell of beans in the air attracted their attention.
I will never get tired of the yellow hue over the water as the sun sets and closes out the day.