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We left the dock just before 0800 after having called the American Soo Lockmaster and being told to come right over as the MacArthur Lock was ready for us. We pulled right in with another small Canadian sailboat behind us and by 0830 we were 20 feet higher and off down the shipping channel to Whitefish Bay. It was a partly cloudy day with temperatures in the high 50′s, but as we passed Gros Cap Reef Light and turned N for Batchwana Bay the day turned sunny. An hour later the wind which had been on the nose moved into the NNW, and we raised the main for some drive and to stabilize the boat. An hour later the wind backed to the NW and we rolled out the jib and actually sailed the last two hours into the North arm of Batchwana Bay where we tied up to the dilapidated Government dock. This L shaped dock is about 70 feet long on each arm and we are tied up on the outer N facing arm in 13-14 feet of water. When we were here in 2005 this arm was a good 30 feet longer. I guess the ice has continued to tear some away each winter. The dock is solidly constructed but there are planks missing and you need fenders or in our case a fender board to avoid damage to the side of your boat.

Kevin and I walked about a mile exploring the surroundings, fished a little and then consumed a dinner of blue cheese meatloaf, wild rice pilaf and broccoli. During the day we had lots of visitors who came down to say hi and also to fish off the dock. The most memorable one was a woman who was calling to the loons and she did a great imitation call. After dinner, a light rain started to fall, and the air got quite cold so we went below, lit the Alladin lamp which puts off quite a bit of heat and enjoyed the warmth before going to bed . Tomorrow we expect to be off to Sinclair Cove.