June 29
After spending two days at Harbor Island at anchor, we headed for Drummond Island. While we have been there before - the last time was only a stop and go as we checked into customs upon returning to the USA in 2016.
The stop at Drummond was necessitated by the need to get paperwork and parts that were supposed to have arrived before we left. For $10.40 we were able to have the package sent from Coopersville two-day-mail. You can't beat the post office. From a small town to an island for $10.40 still boggles my mind.
The marina is two miles from town so we rented a car for $12 and spent the afternoon going to town and seeing the island.
Just a few days before we arrived, the newest tall ship on the Great Lakes was launched at Drummond. Drummond Island is home to the newest Tall Ship on the Great Lakes. The schooner Huron Jewel was launched this summer after being built on the island.
It is the largest ship ever built on Drummond. While it was officially christened this spring, it is still lacking a mast. The 78-foot schooner is expected to start sailing this summer taking private charters and others sailing on an 1800s- style boat. We motor sailed from Drummond to Meldrum Bay Ontario – a distance of 40 miles. Again the winds were from the east at 10-15 kts.
June 30
We had planned on anchoring in Meldrum Bay but the winds were gusting to 25 Kts and out of the east so we docked. The marina sustained heavy ice damage this winter and repairs are still being made but we were able to spend the night on the dock with a half dozen other boats.
We checked into Customs at Meldrum. A phone in a broom closet constitutes the Customs office. Cindy made the call the customs agent answered, Cindy identified herself and the agent said "Oh ya Jeffrey and Cindy on Respite. You still have Duncan. OK got what I need - have a good day." Apparently we are still in the Canadian data base from two years ago.
Until last year Meldrum Bay Marina didn't havfe fuel and the general store had been closed for years making Meldrum a stop most didn't make.
Dave and Dawn reopened the general store last year and seem to be making a go of it. The community only has 35 full-time residents but there are enough tourist to allow the store to work if they watch their hours and inventory, Dawn said.
Meldrum Bay is home to several Inuksuk artists. These are man-made stone landmarks or cairns originally made by the Inuit and other first nation people. Those making the inuksuks say they do it because there are lots of rocks here and the stone upon stone creations are fun to make.
There are few rules to the art and everyone seems to participate.