August 22, 2008: Little Current, Manituolin Island

This morning we decided to take the suggestion of climbing up the granite mountain to see the beautiful views of the bay. We took our dinghy over to a low place on the shore, and found the steep path lined with pine needles along the stones. Part of the way was very much like climbing a ladder, where you had to be careful of your footing and were looking for handholds to keep you steady. I admit that I had to have a couple of breaks on the way up, but it was fun to reach the top and see The Next Thirty Years as a miniature below in the water. We crossed the rocky top, and could see Killarney bay in the distance.

We found an interesting green marker approaching Goat Island. There were two green lights on the shore one set back some distance from the other so that when one was above the other, you were approaching the inlet in the channel. We saw the markers as we arrived at Harbor Vue marina to retrieve our propeller which we had delivered there. The Manituolin Bridge, Highway 6, which was built in 1914 as a railway bridge only opened on the hour. So at 1:00, we crossed under the swing bridge which is the only bridge connecting Manituolin Island to the mainland, into Little Current. Little Current is the largest community on the island and was originally settled as a lumbering center. After the lumber was depleted, it became a fishing community. Now it is mostly a tourist yachting center except for the fish farming in the area. Tom and I have been amazed to see some very expensive sailboats at the city docks that were chartered, so you can come and go sailing without bringing your own boat.

Tonight we are at Spider Island marina tied up at the end of the fuel dock, where we have washed clothes and had a nice walk to dinner to the Anchor Inn, the only restaurant open in town.