It doesn't get much better than this

From sunrise in Port Rawson Bay...

...to secluded anchorages in Spider Bay,

...we are enjoying the wonderful summer weather as we meander around the Massassauga Provincial Park.  

One of these anchorages is home to an abandoned copper mine, surrounded by high rock walls which crack and wear in amazingly regular, straight-edged shapes.

We were joined here for a night by Bob and Judy from Florida, aboard Sanderling.  They are on their way to the North Channel, but at a very slow and relaxed pace that allows them plenty of time to truly appreciate the beauty of the trip.

We took them on a dinghy tour of the area, and discovered this new addition to the local landscape.

It seems to follow traditional construction, with all of the long supporting poles, and an entrance flap that laces closed, but we were unable to determine what material was used for the covering. According to a neighbour we met, it has two storeys.  This has to be the coolest bunky on the bay!!

Our days on the bay have been spent watching the loon family train their chicks,

and trying to keep ourselves cool with the help of our new floating toys.  A tether to the mother ship means no worries of floating away, and allowing total relaxation, as demonstrated here.  Sunglasses and hat in place, and a built in drink holder to complete the experience.

On our last trip into the marina, we came across an unusual sight - a flock of loons.  They are usually such solitary creatures, which are occasionally seen in pairs, but hardly ever in groups like this.

Sandwiched into all of this rest and relaxation over the last few weeks have been cataract removal and new lens implants for Michael, in both eyes.  He'll be good as new (or maybe better than new) in no time.

Summer's here.....

Canada Day has been and gone, and our friends in the US are celebrating Independence Day today.  We miss you all.

We've been having lots of fun, and spending plenty of time out at anchor.  We met friends from another marina in Port Rawson Bay over the Canada Day weekend before they head to the north channel for their vacation.

It's always a chore to get the raft set just right!!!

We spotted this family of red necked grebes while out for a ride in the dinghy.  Mum would make a short dive, then all the little babies (we counted 10!) would scurry to catch up as she surfaced.  We watched and laughed for about 10 minutes.

Michael and I are now on our own again, in a place that we call Wildberry Bay.  We went exploring this afternoon, and spotted this family of loons.

We got back to the mother ship in time for afternoon cocktails in the sun.  It got quite warm in the sun, and we decided to go for a swim before dinner.  As I swung my leg over the transom to get onto the swim platform, I noticed a stowaway....one that make my poor little heart skip a beat.

He had found an nice quiet spot in the sun, and my yelling disturbed him enough to force him back into the water.  Deciding that he was more afraid of us than we of him, we still went for a swim.  But just a quick one!