August 17-18, 2024 Onto the Upper Lakes Region Noble Bay Anchorage and Col. By Island mooring ball

Saturday Aug 17, 2024  Poonamalie to Noble Bay Anchorage  13.3 miles and 2.2  hours

When Colonel By was designing the Rideau Canal he utilized the many natural lakes that comprise this area.  It saved him time and money as it provided a mostly unencumbered passageway.  Just a few locks were needed constructed at critical areas connecting lakes. We are looking forward to spending time here in the deep clear cool waters.  Poonamalie lock is basically the entranceway onto the first lake - called the Lower Rideau Lake.  Lower being altitude - not latitude.   We are looking forward to some quiet anchoring and our first stop is Noble Bay.  We arrive early afternoon, drop the hook in 20 feet and play out 125' of chain.  We expect other boats to arrive later but ultimately have the entire cove to ourselves. We plan to stay 2 nights.  Despite a forecast for rain it remains just lightly overcast so I drop the kayak and go exploring.  

Noble Bay shoreline with typical Canadian Shield rocks

As You Wish happily at anchor as viewed from a cove I was exploring in the kayak

It is obvious from the geology that we are into a region of the Canadian Shield.   This is an ancient rock formation that covers half of Canada.  We were introduced to it while doing the Great Loop. Solid rock formations and cliffs on the water's edge with a heavy dose of evergreen tree coverage.  No muddy runoff keeps the water clear and the scent of pine fills the air. It's a beautiful setting and why we enjoy the change of pace in anchoring.  The scenery is simple yet spectacular. It's a shame the day is just too cool to go swimming. No other boaters arrive leaving us feeling quite isolated.  Some rain finally arrives late afternoon and evening.  We're keeping an eye on the forecast as rain is expected to continue.  Monday shows winds shifting to strong northerly and a further drop in temperatures. That complicates things as not many anchorages offer protection from the north.  We set the anchor alarms but with just a light southerly breeze tonight we sleep soundly.

Journey for August 17, 2024

Sunday August 18, 2024  Noble Bay to Col. By Island mooring ball  6.5 miles and 1.25 hours

Weather forecast this morning shows a cloudy day with some passing rain. Big changes for Monday with the wind shifting and gusts are still in play.  We decide to take advantage of today's weather to head for Col. By Island.  First order of business is getting the anchor up and cleared of weeds.  It is a constant battle hauling up 10 feet of chain and clearing the growth off, repeat until we have all 125 feet of chain up.  Then remove the huge weed ball stuck to the anchor. It is a nasty, stinky, slimy, heavy job that takes almost 1/2 hour before we're ready to head out.  

Saying "Adios" to another handful of weeds off the anchor chain

Deep water on the way as we move out of Lower Rideau Lake and onto Big Rideau Lake.  Places here with depths up to 300'.  Open running space gives us a chance to put the engines through their paces. After multiple days of idling at low rpm's and constant engine on/off for locks we take the boat up on plane and blow out the engines and turbos.  Boat runs good and seems to enjoy the run up.  We arrive to Col. By Island and there are boats on several of the mooring balls provided by Parks Canada, but most are open.  These mooring balls present a challenge as there are no pendants - just the ball and a ring on top.  We need to grab the ball at the stern, rope it and walk it to the bow to secure the lines.  Then wrestle it to get a second line attached. Not pretty, but we get it done.  We're secured for the next 2 days and protected from the coming northerly gusts. 

Moonlight over Col By Island during a rare cloud clearing

The island is part of the Parks Canada system with available docks, but reports say racoons are problematic at night getting on boats and breaking in for food.  We decide being out on the moorings is a better decision. The front on Monday brings the anticipated gusts and cool weather - cloudy, damp and high only in the 60's for the next few days. We are mostly sheltered from the worst of the winds so a good decision to settle here.  There's an interesting home falling into disrepair on the island. It's a typical 50's modern home with a long flat roof, lots of glass windows facing the water and huge stone fireplaces. Still somewhat visible but mostly covered by undergrowth now.   It was built by Danny Arnstein who was the owner of Yellow Cabs in NYC and Chicago.  It supposedly has 14' high ceilings to match those of his NYC house. He hosted all sorts of celebrities there during its heyday.  Rumors are he also had mob connections. After his death in the early 60's the home and island went through several owners before finally being acquired by Parks Canada. Shame to see it simply deteriorating. 

Part of Danny Arnstein's  "Wag" lodge visible behind the large maple tree

Journey for August 18, 2024