Hot Mess in More Ways Than One

Into the North Channel (and Straight Into the Heat)

Homeward Bound Day 21

We left Lime Island and made our way toward Thessalon, officially beginning our North Channel adventures. It felt good to be back fully in Ontario again after our brief hop into the U.S.; like slipping back into familiar waters, even if home is still far away.

Everyone always talks about the North Channe

l like it’s this magical, must-see place. The kind of place you slow down for. The kind of place you plan at least a month to fully appreciate. And maybe that’s true… but today? I was feeling pretty underwhelmed. Maybe it was the heat, holy moly, the HEAT. The moment we started docking it was like someone opened the doors to a furnace. Where did that come from?! We tried to explore, but within minutes I was sweating like I’d just finished a marathon. So back to the boat we went and onward to Blind River where being on the water is cool.

That night, something shifted. The sunset stopped me in my tracks. It reminded me of 'home', of quiet Lac Deschênes evenings when we’d sit on deck and wait for the sky to colour itself goodnight. For weeks I’d been missing those sunsets, missing that peaceful part of sailing life that always grounded me. Blind River gave a little piece of that back.

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When Mom Heart Takes Over

Homeward Bound — Day 22

We left slip and started the day like any other… and then everything changed.

News from home. My oldest daughter injured her foot badly at work. Potential fractures, torn tendons, lots of unknowns. My youngest was there supporting her (thank goodness), getting her home, helping her settle, being the strong one while I was hundreds of kilometres away on a floating home that suddenly felt like a cage.

I knew she was safe. I knew she was cared for. But that didn’t quiet the part of me that wanted to sprint straight off the bow, abondon boat, rent a car, and drive eight hours without stopping just to sit beside her. That instinct never changes; you hear your child even as an adult is hurt, and every fiber in your being screams, Go. Now.

But I couldn’t. And that broke me a little.

We kept moving because that’s what we had to do. After a long day of motoring and worrying and spiraling mentally, we eventually anchored between three islands. It was calm. Stunning, actually, peaceful in a way that should have soothed everything inside me.

But my heart wasn’t there.

I wanted to appreciate it, the beauty, the quiet, the “North Channel magic” everyone talks about. But instead, I was overwhelmed. The maze of islands felt stressful instead of enchanting. The hidden rocks beneath us felt threatening instead of thrilling. I was hot, anxious, emotionally wrung out, and feeling very, very far from home.

I love this life. Truly. But today I was a sweating hot mess! A mom caught between adventure and responsibility, between wanting to protect everyone I love and realizing I simply… couldn’t.

And that’s a hard truth to sit with. ⚓💙

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July 7, 2024

Lime Island, MI  ➜ Thesslon ➜ Blind River

Blind River Marina Park

51 Nautical Miles

566.1 Total NM *Tablet battery died so NM may be inaccurate

July 8, 2024

Blind River  ➜ Shanly Island

Anchor

25.7 Nautical Miles

591.8  Total NM