posted October 10, 2005 05:04 PM               

D'Arcy has a summer cottage there on the lake, and suggested I launch at the public launch facility in the village of Rosseau. What an excellent facility! It's not quite finshed yet, but is usable. They just have some interlock and landscaping to do. The concrete ramp is perfect, and they have several tie up slips available right there. There is an adjacent beach, and a marina that sells charts right at the ramp.

I phoned Linda and D'Arcy the night before and left a message that we would be coming up, and would try and stop by. We got out and started heading in a southerly direction when all of a sudden I hear Paradise Paradise Paradise, this is Shortwave Shortwave Shortwave on the VHF My kids looked at me and said, "Hey that's D'Arcy!!" D'Arcy could see us from his dock, and hailed us. We altered course and headed into his bay.

What a terrific visit we had. It was a bit on the cool side still, so Linda whipped up some great hot chocolate for us all Thanks again Linda. Here are Shortwave and Paradise tied to the dock.

After our drinks we decided we better get in some sailing. We cast off and waved "so long!" as we sailed out into the main part of the lake.

The autumn colour was absolutely gorgeous. Better than the wind, unfortunately. That didn't bother us though. Muskoka is a chaming area. Lake Rosseau offers many little bays to explore, and look at some of the mansions, and "cute" boat houses. We passed one place that had a 4 bay boat house!! There was traffic on the water, but not what I'd call busy. Mostly folks getting out for a final time to take in the colour before packing up for the season. Just about every boat that passed by offered us a wave. By now the day was beautiful. The temperature was easily the forecast high of 15*C, with bright sunshine.

We had an excellent little visit and sail. I still have so much more of the lake to explore, and will hopefully return again in '06. I just love having the ability to trailer to various lakes, and Lake Rosseau is a jewel.

Happy Thanksgiving all.

posted October 11, 2005 09:11 AM               

Don, if you need a hand PM me. I was out on Saturday in our crazy weather (not in the Piper, on the Santana 35). The annual "Turkey Bowl" race out of the RNSYS. 30 kt gusts, 15-20 sustained. Saw two spinnakers absolutly shred, and a main sail spilt in half, and a small cat-boat flip. We broke a couple things, but survived, top 5 finish, it was a great day, SW winds made it not all that cold at all!!