Wednesday, July 6, 2005. Sault Ste Marie

This short update covers the time from Thessalon (July 1) to today (July 6).

When we finally completed our exhaust replacement, we were detained in Thessalon an additional day because of a Gale warning (35 knots of wind from the NW). Friday, July 1 dawned calm and clear. We left Thessalon for Drummond Island Village (about 30 miles south) to clear US Immigration and Customs and obtain a Cruising certificate for US waters. We sailed from Drummond Island down DeTour Passage to anchor in Whitney Bay for the night.

Sunday, July 3 we motored to DeTour Village to meet Jane’s brother and sister-in-law (Jim and Darcie).

Jim and the wheel and Darcie checking freighter identification

The village was holding their first “annual” Freighter Race. Individuals and organizations were encouraged to build cardboard models of freighters, put them on whets (wagons, lawn mowers, etc.) and race them down the main street. There were 5 entries, and we stayed to observe the first few races.

Pilgrim is at the far end of the dock a race equipped freighter

Late Sunday afternoon we sailed up the St. Mary’s River to an anchorage just north of Lime Island. The wind was from the South, so we had a great sail, but docking at Lime Island would not have been comfortable, so we went a bit further north to an area in which we anchored.

The wall at Lime Island and our anchorage at sunset

Monday, we sailed and motored further up the river to East Neebish Island. We spent the afternoon exploring in the dinghy and kayak and stayed overnight. Jim and Darcie found an Osprey nest.

A messy nest .. must be the first one they ever built

Tuesday we motored the rest of the way to Sault Ste Marie, sharing the waterway with some large vessels.

This is a major provisioning site before we enter Lake Superior on Thursday morning. Our next update will probably be in 3-4 weeks from Thunder Bay.

Pilgrim at Roberta Bondar Park Marina in the Soo