Friday, August 16, 2013 Sugar Island

We had a really pleasant night. The winds and seas were clam and there was no reason to worry about the anchor dragging again. I woke a couple times and turned over in bed when I noticed the calm conditions. Kerry said she popped up ocassionally and looked around to be sure we were stationary.

I woke up for good about 5:30. We had gone to bed before 9:00 so it was still a good night’s sleep. The morning light was just coming. I took some pictures of the sailboats in the harbor against the morning light. I think some will be good and can’t wait to see them on the computer. Two loons were swimming nearby. Their calls are so beautiful. I wished they did it more frequently. I laid in bed for awhile listening to news on NPR.

When Kerry got up we sat out and had our morning coffee and tea. Sadly, we finished our last white powered donuts. I cooked a nice bacon and egg breakfast for us and we set sail for Sugar Island about 9:30. I had originally planned to go to an anchorage closer to the marina where we must return the boat tomorrow morning by 9:00AM. But after being in an open, more crowded anchorage yesterday I decided I would rather go further tomorrow and find a little tiny inlet where we could snuggle in alone. Sugar Island was the place, and lucky for us, it was open. It is so pretty here. We stayed at another place on Sugar Island our first night, but this is the premier location. It will be perfect for our last night. Today’s journey was only about 45 minutes.

Kerry watching for rocks as we start towards Sugar Island

Pulling into Sugar Island

We had a real nice ball of weeds on our anchor when we pulled it up on Picton Island. We pulled them off with our boat pole. The captain on a powerboat next to us used a machete to slice off his weeds. He obviously knows what he is doing! I don't think I will anchor in this place again. I now have a preference for little coves rather than a bigger designated anchorage, especially a weedy one!

Chopping weeds with a machete

Kerry is feeling much better today and suggested we have Lime-A-Ritas upon completing our anchoring duties. It was a great idea. I then did some fishing and caught a couple little perch using worms. I still have a bunch left. They are alive and I will free them on land when we get back to the marina tomorrow. Their brothers did well for me. Lunch was canned Sloppy Joes. Tonight will be the long promised ribs on the grill.

It’s 7:00 PM now. We spent the afternoon reading and relaxing. Kerry had a short nap.

I decided to go for a swim. The water was so inviting and clear, like a mountain stream. I grabbed my trusty seahorse and jumped into the water. Not too bad, really, probably about 70. I tried to talk Kerry into coming in the fish water, but no success there. Then Kerry asked me if I wanted my scuba mask. Of course I did. I did not know she brought it – what a nice wife! The bottom was fun to see and a bunch of the little perch that were chomping on my worms were swimming along the top of the sea grass. A warm shower was perfect after my cold swim.

We started cocktails early so we could cook the ribs and still have time to pack up for our disembarking tomorrow. It was really pleasant grilling ribs in such a beautiful setting. I love our decks at home, but they do not compare to this setting. As we were eating, Kerry said she would like to come back here again. It is just so beautiful.

Just as we finished eating a nice couple came by on a jet ski. We waved at them and started talking to them when they approached. They commented that we really looked contented and the lady offered to take our picture. I said, “Sure!” Kerry wondered if they would steal our camera. I asked them if they would, and they said they would not. After the photo op they said we had the best spot in the Thousand Islands. I told Kerry that I thought we might have the best spot on earth.

We sat out and enjoyed the night. We had beautiful scenery, warm weather, wine, a nice cigar and a breakfast bar for dessert. How could it have been any better? This has been a perfect last day and evening.