September 5, Day 84 - Vidal Bay, ON to Drummond, MI

We had planned a 7:00 a.m. departure, but fog kept us at anchor until 8:00. We raised the anchor (which we were never sure was set properly because the bottom had lots of rocks and then a layer of hard clay) and headed out. There was absolutely no wind last night, so dragging the anchor was not an issue.

Emotion III decided to wait a while. They are a faster boat and would easily be able to catch up. We plotted a course back to the U.S.A. (Drummond Island). The water was perfectly flat …. no wind at all. We officially crossed the border into U.S. waters at 11:22 a.m.

Now Ruth and Bill (See Adventures of Integrity – Day 127) entered the U.S. and reached their northernmost point at N 46 06.522 W 083 42.061 at which point Bill and his pet snake, Arnold, had a toast with a special elixir made by Bill’s friend. Not to be outdone (but also to commemorate the occasion in honor of Ruth and Bill) we also had a special toast with Arnold the pet snake. While Arnold has been on Monk’s Vineyard the past 3 years, he has become partial to “fine wine”. So we toasted with the best Canadian box wine that money could buy. Arnold has now been this far north on the “Great Loop” twice. Probably the only pet snake to accomplish this feat. Anyway, Bill and Ruth, we toasted you as we passed our northernmost point at N 46 06.784 W 083 43.908 at 12:27 p.m.

After that, it was a short run to Drummond Island where we easily cleared customs and docked for the night.

Gerry got on the computer and did some updating, plus tried to change his phone plan from Canadian back to the U.S. No luck there as he kept losing cell phone reception. That may have to wait for a few days. He also tried to help Carole (Emotion III) with internet access. After several failed attempts, we decided to head to town for dinner. The four of us used the marina car (a huge Ford Expedition). The food was pretty good and we had a fun evening.

Back at the boat we took a short walk, took sunset pictures/moonrise pictures and updated the blog. Then it was off to bed.


Monk's Vineyard in the fog at Vidal Bay


A fellow looper boat (Emotion III) in the fog

Entering U.S. waters !!!

A "wine" toast at our northernmost point. This was old hat for Arnold, the pet snake.

Monk's Vineyard entering Drummond Island Yacht Haven

2 Loopers side by side

Sunset over the marina. Although there was no wind and the flag is hanging limp, it felt good to see the Stars and Stripes

Moonrise over Drummond Island