Our family was invited to spend the Fourth of July week this summer at Archbald's Island on Lake Huron. The four acre island on Georgian Bay has been a family treasure for many years. Scott grew up with Doug Archbald and has many fond memories of being at the island. Our families have stayed in contact over the years and the five teenagers between us all know each other and get along well. It was great to have a week with everyone together. The older the kids get, the harder it is to get vacation time together and I feel lucky that they still want to go with us.
When the kids were little we always did our major road time at night. Scott and I drove while they slept. It always worked very well and still does, except now we sleep (well, sort of) and the kids drive. They are up until the wee hours anyway so I know they have no problem staying awake. We arrived in the morning, found the boat landing, unfolded the Campanoe, loaded the crates of food it takes to feed teenagers and all our gear into the boat and miraculously found the island about one and a half miles out.
Many of the islands in Nares Inlet have very old, well maintained, picturesque cabins on them and Archbald's is no exception. The island has calm inlet water all around it and big Georgian Bay water within a few minutes paddling distance. We very quickly switched into cabin mode and Scott of course had to head out into the big water. He would get up early and motor out into the bay and big water and then sail back just in time for coffee. The inlet has many reefs, warm little bays and secluded lakes to explore and just hang around in. Archbalds' bulldog Rosie loved the Campanoe and spent most of her time making sure she was on the boat if it left the dock. She would stand forward on the bow like a ships maidenhood. The kids had to hold on to her back legs so she wouldn't fall in.
We took a day trip to Kilarney Provincial Park. What a spectacular place! Huge, crystal clear, cold water, studded with mostly bald, pink granite islands great for climbing, exploring and laying on to soak up the warmth and sun. It was a great place for a Campanoe. Any other boat other than a canoe, kayak or small fishing boat would have to stay in the deeper channels and not be able to explore or land at any islands because of all the rock. We only saw a few canoes and kayaks because of the potential for big waves and numerous unmarked shallow reefs. We took a Campanoe and another small boat for the nine of us. We all could have been in the Campanoe but I'm sure the kids enjoyed their own space as much as the adults did.
We found a sheltered bay for swimming and before we knew it the day had disappeared and we were trying to retrace our steps to find where we had put in. Always an adventure! The Archbalds had been there before and had maps so they figured it out and we were soon eating the days catch at the local fish-n-chips joint.
I'm sorry that my small photos fail to capture and convey the majesty of the sights and the great fun our families had. I guess you'll just have to get a Campanoe and go experience it for yourself !
Campanoe is a totally new concept in boating. Boats that have a total enclosure for shelter from the sun, rain, bugs and for sleeping, are big, heavy, require a big motor, a powerful tow vehicle, good landings and deep water. Campanoe has the small boat advantages of shallow draught and portability as well as the self sufficient overnight capability of of a much bigger boat.
State and national parks with camping and water allow fishing boats to be on the water all night. You can only camp in designated areas at the parks and most summer weekends those designated areas are full. So as long as you don't say you are camping while on your Campanoe on the water they don't care that you are there "fishing" all night. Campanoe allows you to enjoy the summer and our great parks spontaneously and with little expense.