The Best Of The Great Circle Georgian Bay and North Channel By Alan Lloyd The Great Circle Cruise is a journey down the Heartland Rivers of the Midwest, around the Gulf of Mexico, up the Atlantic seaboard and across the Great Lakes. Ask anyone who has completed this 5,000-mile epic voyage about the best part and each will respond, “Georgian Bay and North Channel.” Geographically speaking, the pristine cruising waters of Georgian Bay and North Channel are both parts of Lake Huron. Georgian Bay is the east side of Lake Huron behind Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula, and North Channel is north of Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world. Both areas are sheltered from the rough seas and strong winds of the open lake, but do not be lulled into thinking the waters are always calm. My wife, Jean, and I have been trapped in port for several days by small-craft wind advisories in June and September. July and August may have better weather, but those are precisely the months the Canadians come out to play, and ports and anchorages may be more crowded. There are two routes for transiting this area. I call them the “express route” and the “scenic route.” Many captains are intimidated at the prospect of piloting a vessel along a winding channel between rock-strewn islands, so they opt for the wide-open waters of the express route. Sailors also prefer the express route because of the opportunity to actually proceed under sail. I prefer the scenic route because it is…well…more scenic. The Canadian coast guard has done a splendid job of marking the Georgian Bay small-craft route, but do not be put off by the terminology “small-craft route.” Small craft defines any vessel less than 65 feet, and boats more than 40 feet regularly travel this route. Midland, Ontario, near the exit from Trent-Severn Waterway, is the starting point for both the express and the scenic routes to Georgian Bay and the North Channel. But first take a walk downtown to view more than 30 historic murals, most painted by Ontario native Fred Lenz. The largest mural, on a huge grain elevator, can be seen from Midland Harbour. Lenz passed away in 2001 prior to completing this self-proclaimed “pinnacle of his artistic life,” but his two sons pitched in to help finish the project. The Express Route Enter Georgian Bay on the Midland big-ship channel passing west of Beausoleil Island and continue curving left keeping Christian Island on your starboard side. The alpine forest-covered Blue Mountains appear on the horizon 25 miles across the mouth of Nottawasaga Bay. Meaford, the apple capital of Ontario, is the first port of call. The Sykes Street business district is just a short walk from the marina. When you leave Meaford stay outside the Tank Range marked by cautionary buoys or you will become an unwitting target of the Canadian Army. Follow the west s...

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