Victory Tug and the President

Monday -- today we made our way to Blind River Marina after a sleepless stormy night. The trip over was un-eventful with pretty calm waters and just a bit of wind. Two weeks ago, we picked up Gaye at the Blind River Marina and the place was empty -- very few boats. So, that is what we expected when we got on the radio with the Marina and they told us to pick our spot. Well, we turn the corner into the marina (past the breakwater) and sure enough it was pretty full this time around. The marina staff waved us into a slip.

Next to us was a 1988 37' Lord Nelson Victory Tug. Very fun looking boat. The couple on the boat invited us for a cocktail on their boat (of course, we don't drink -- so we tend to put a bit of a kink in the plans for Happy hour). We accepted their invitation and had a great time talking about their boat and their travels. They both retired in 2003 and that year started cruising the Pacific coast out of San Diego -- where they own a house. They took the boat up to Alaska and spent two summers (5 months each) cruising through the area. They then had the boat transported over land to the North Channel area where they will spend the next couple of years cruising the Great lakes. Their boat was very nice and filled with unique items that they have purchased along their way -- very nice couple. In a few years, they plan on having the boat shipped to spain and then spend a few years cruising the canals in spain.

Also, we walked past a boat on our dock that had just pulled in that was from Sherwood, WI. So, we talked with them for a while and told them that we kept our boat in Purves Lagoon in a slip that we own. Well, the small world that it is, they happen to be cruising with the President of the Purves Lagoon home owners assocation (which we are members of through the ownership of one of the lots/slips in Purves Lagoon). So, we ended up meeting one of our "neighbors" way up in the North Channel (we just purchased the lot/slip a few months ago). We spent an hour or so talking with them and giving them some thoughts on where to go in the North Channel -- we also had our truck at the Marina which we lent to them to do some re-provisioning (mainly liquor for the trip -- Canada only allows so much to be imported from the US). It was great to meet them and we enjoyed the conversation. Nice people.

Internet update -- Blind River Marina has free high speed Internet -- the only thing free in Canada. If you think the US has high taxes, go to Canada -- you have GST/PST and on and on.