The Ruff Life

Welcome to Our Ruff Life

Collins Inlet – Beaverstone Island – Friday, July 16, 2010

Merrill decided to break from the group and hit some ports on their own – we planned to meet up with them later on.  The gang decided to go down Collins Inlet to another island anchorage.  While weather had been just about glorious during our trip so far, the morning we left Killarney to head to the inlet proved to be windy – which created some turbulence in the water.  While Ruff Life was the last one out of Killarney, as soon as we hit those waves, we put the throttles down and got going!  We ended up passing the other 3 boats in the group, but as everyone assures us – because all boats are different, each Captain has to find the right speed/course for his boat to make for the best ride.  So, we got on top of the waves and our 4 mile ride was over in 10 minutes.  We waited in the inlet for the others to catch up – they were going pretty fast too – I think WaterKraft tug is on plane…

After cruising through a narrow inlet (more like a cavern), we popped out in pretty calm water, but still very windy.  We all scouted around for some protection, and ultimately anchored out on the North side of Beaverstone Island.  The other 3 boats all have 100% chain for anchor, while the Ruff Life is only equipped with 20ft of chain.  Ruff Life set the bow anchor and took a stern anchor to shore, and the other boats set bow anchors and swung with the wind.  We were snug as a bug all night as the winds picked up a bit.

The island had a ton of blueberries!  Scot and I picked about 2 cups of little berries and the begging for blueberry pancakes in the morning began!

Goodbye Killarney...

WaterKraft on plane...

Nikki on WaterKraft is spying on us...

Tug "Jenny Jo" - George and Mary Jo

Ocean Alexander - "O B QUIET" Steve and Chris

We had lots of horse flies - but had to capture this picture of a dragonfly eating one!

Loving his day at the helm!

Backyard view at anchorage

Where's Waldo? She was happy to be on shore taking a nap on a rock!

Steve & Chris on O B Quiet - they invited everyone over for happy hour - I owe Chris a jar of olives!

Nikki & Ben from WaterKraft - Ben would later blame me for Nikki's hangover!

Finally - blueberry pancakes before pulling up anchor!

July 27th, 2010 Posted by Laura | Extended Cruise, Lake Crossings | no comments

Killarney, Canada – Thursday, July 15, 2010

We left Covered Portage Cove this morning and headed to the town of Killarney to hook up with our friends from Sturgeon Bay, WI.  We weren’t in any need of provisions or pump out, but we used the pitstop to get a load of laundry done – and what better day to do so – we had muggy/cloudy conditions!  The town is pretty small, but has a nice charm to it.  We ate dinner with a big group of friends at a real restaurant.  After “preppy camping” for a week, we were ready to have someone else make our meal and clean it up!  We had a really good time and had some martinis at the bar afterward – they tasted like tootsie rolls!  Not sure if it is the bugs, too much sun or too much drinking, but we were in bed before 10pm! 

Sportsman Inn - Killarney

Ruff Life at dock...hooked up to AC!

 

The Sturgeon Bay gang - happy hour before dinner

 

Scot and Ben - happy trails....

Nikki and Chris

Ben & Nikki - from WaterKraft

July 27th, 2010 Posted by Laura | Extended Cruise, Lake Crossings | no comments