Long Point Cove, North Channel

After Turnbull Island we cruised a short way over to an anchorage referred to as Long Point Cove. This name isn't used on charts and it does require using a specific route and identifying Navy Island. Sounds easy. But remember -- you are looking at a few dozen islands from eye level and comparing them to a chart, which shows the "birds eye view" version of an island. Not so easy. The GPS helps and Bernie is using a handheld compass to take readings (Phil thinks she learned how to take a compass reading from watching Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates movies.) However, any little identifier you can find helps. We found a reference to this passage in a book called The Well-Favored Passage. It noted that Navy Island could be identified because there is a spike in the lower rise on the Island. When we found that, pictured above, we were pretty sure we knew the way. Of course, we did take another turn a little early and initially thought that Long Point Cove was completely deserted, much smaller than the books indicated, and very shallow. When we saw another boat head out, we realized that we were in a little indentation and the real cove was further back. (Of course, Phil won't admit to making a wrong turn. He was "exploring" a new gunkhole and didn't hear Bernie as she shouted at him from two feet away "STOP! TURN AROUND! WE'RE GONNA RUN AGROUND! ARRRGH! SOMEONE HELP US!")

Long Point Cove offers a lot for people who are anchoring. It is a relatively small anchorage, very well protected and, during our visit, there were never more than five other boats anchored. But that might be because there are "Meridian spotters" out there, posting sightings to warn other boats away. ;) The scenery is spectacular, with high bluffs and large rocks all around the anchorage. There is kayaking, hiking, and swimming. Although this summer has been a little cool and the water still chilly, our sailboat neighbors partook in some swimming exercise. The gentleman swam around his boat a few times a day. We always knew he was starting his exercise routine because when he got in the water, he triumphantly would yell WHOO! WHOO! WHOO! The first time this happened, Bernie thought our anchor had broke free, and they were trying to get our attention to let us know we were about to float into their boat. She looked up, expecting to see them on their bow, boat hooks and fenders out -- just like everyone at the marinas when we come in to dock. Instead, she saw him enjoying the lake and a safe anchorage. Phil wasn't paying much attention though. He just thought he was having a flash back to a Cubs game in the days of Ronnie WooWoo.

Once anchored, and somewhat confident that the anchor had set (ok, both of them), we set up our flotilla for kayak launching and away we went. The kayaking is generally smooth and affords you a great view of the archipelago that makes up this area. However, we did find a waterfall and rapids that seemed just our speed. See how adventurous we are?

Shooting the Long Point Cove Rapids

We hope he finds another anchorage. This one is full!

There is good, slightly steep hiking along and around the large boulders that provide a different angle for viewing the cove. Phil found some blueberries while hiking and they were our dessert one night after dinner. We saw cormorants, loons (never close enough for a picture, though), herons, and a beaver family. We stayed at Long Point Cove two nights. This is our favorite anchorage ... until we get to the next one!

Long Point Cove
N46 10.526 W82 41.325