Great Loop & Cruising Adventure Blog

Canada’s North Channel is a magical boating paradise and for us Croker Island is one of its gems. The reason we like Croker Island so much is because it has a cove that provides an excellent, well protected, anchorage. From here you can dinghy and explore around Croker, or go over to the equally magnificent Benjamin or Fox Islands to dinghy through the menagerie of coves, creeks and unique, glacier created, rock formations.

Nestled into our anchorage with a half dozen others, sterns tied off to the rocky tree lined bluff we settled in for a three day stay. The water is gin clear down to at least 10 feet. I can attest to this because I accidently knocked my sunglasses off my head and watched them sink all the way to their resting place on the sandy bottom. The water is also very cold, even in August – as I quickly found out when I dove in to retrieve the glasses. It sure is fun being a boater!

One night while we were finishing dinner on the boat we heard a lot of commotion coming from some of the other boater. We saw the dads running up the rock (yes right in the area we had hiked earlier in the day) lined bluff frantically waving oars over their heads. At what? You may have already guessed… a black bear, of course.

Apparently their kids had gone for a blueberry picking and island exploration and saw a bear and began to yell. So this prompted the dads to defend the kids with the only weapon they had handy – the almighty oar. Bears like blueberries and Croker Island has lots of blueberries therefore they have bears. It worked out in the end as all the dads and kids returned safely to their boats.

A short while later Lisa and I took the dinghy around the point of Croker Island to where we thought the bear had gone to escape all the ruckus. Much to our surprise we spotted the bear’s (he had swam to a nearby island and was now swimming back to Croker) pointy ears sticking out of the water as it was swimming right in our path. If we had not seen those ears protruding from the water and slowed down we could have run right into the him, we were that close, and that would not have been a fun encounter.

And this is just a minute taste of the wonders of the North Channel and more specifically the Croker Island area.

We walked to Fishbusterz’s (an amazing fish market right on the docks of the fishing boat harbor on Stock Island) today with the sole intent of securing some fresh tuna for dinner. We had our eyes set on a huge hunk displayed in the case when all of a sudden one of the fishmongers and another man came and took the whole hunk away (apparently a restaurant buyer securing his own bounty).

With our mouths left hanging, because we thought it was a certainty we would have a few steaks off that fillet tonight, we only had to wait a minute, however, before the fishmonger returned and said, “No Problem!” We have more in the back. Off he went and in the room across from the counter two guys pulled out a WHOLE TUNA and began cutting.

Not only were we able to watch our dinner being carved  from this magnificent hunk, right in front of us, but we got some of the freshest tuna in town.

Just around the corner from the marina is the Stock Island Lobster Company and within walking distance is Fishbusterz Fish Market. We walk by the Lobster Company on our daily walks and the colorful lobster pots and fishermen always brighten our day. This is definitely one of the perks of staying on Stock Island, lots of fresh seafood every day.

When we need a little diversion from our normal boating lifestyle; what do we do? Go for a ride in the dinghy of course. After working on the boat we jumped in the dinghy and headed out. We found some interesting canals on the island north or Stock Island and we had a fun afternoon exploring canal life. We think we met more dogs who wanted to defend their waterfront than we did people.

Yes, we’re talking about the Blue Angels. They practiced over our marina for a few days before the Southernmost Air Spectacular show which was at the Naval Air Station on Boca Chica, the next island up from us. Of course we had to take our chairs and unbrella to see our favorite aviators.

As much as we love the Blue angels we were even more amazed and astounded by the daredevil Franklin’s Flying Circus (http://www.franklinairshow.com). Kyle Franklin as Captain Kyro and Amanda Franklin as the Wingwalker, Scandalous Scarlett (below-left).

After the wingwalker act Fat Albert made his appearance followed shortly after by the incredible Blue Angels.

It was so hot out on the tarmac that if you didn’t have an umbrella to shade you from the intense rays of the sun you were sure to get fried. This is definitely the most umbrellas we’ve seen in one spot on a sunny day.

Lunch today was at a unique restaurant in Key West, Blue Heaven, with our friend Jean. As you can see this spot features the laid back atmosphere of the Keys. The dirt floors and several roosters wandering about makes you feel as if you are in your own backyard.