Aug. 28 - 31, 2012 Tuesday - Friday
Little Traverse Bay
We spent a few more days in Charlevoix as we love this harbor and town. We did some boat
maintenance, had docktail parties for loopers and others, met up again with our friends from Viking Star and did more biking. We had a surprise visit from an old friend from the Bahamas’ – Patrick Avery saw are boat as he drove through town on business and we went out to dinner.
We would be seeing them in a couple of weeks in Holland but it is always nice to see old friends. One of our biking adventures was to try and bike to Petoskey, MI. We rode on a good bike trail but didn’t get more than 9 miles (Petoskey was another 8 miles but we had to turn around and go back – did 18 miles on that trip. The picture is of Little Traverse Bay (that is the Bay that Petoskey is on). Someday we might try and go into this bay.
maintenance, had docktail parties for loopers and others, met up again with our friends from Viking Star and did more biking. We had a surprise visit from an old friend from the Bahamas’ – Patrick Avery saw are boat as he drove through town on business and we went out to dinner.
We would be seeing them in a couple of weeks in Holland but it is always nice to see old friends. One of our biking adventures was to try and bike to Petoskey, MI. We rode on a good bike trail but didn’t get more than 9 miles (Petoskey was another 8 miles but we had to turn around and go back – did 18 miles on that trip. The picture is of Little Traverse Bay (that is the Bay that Petoskey is on). Someday we might try and go into this bay.
Aug. 27, 2012 Monday
The Staites of Mackinaw - Marsha and her boat.
While we were up early a number of boats left before us. We stopped at the gas dock
for a pump out. We had a good run to Charlevoix and met up with a couple of boats that came through Mackinac City. Irish Attitude (Mike and Gay Kelly) came aboard for cocktails tonight as they are heading south on their loop trip and trying to get to Chicago quickly. The picture is of Marsha’s small sail boat near the bridge. While she left 1 hour before us, we quickly passed her and didn’t meet up with her again.
for a pump out. We had a good run to Charlevoix and met up with a couple of boats that came through Mackinac City. Irish Attitude (Mike and Gay Kelly) came aboard for cocktails tonight as they are heading south on their loop trip and trying to get to Chicago quickly. The picture is of Marsha’s small sail boat near the bridge. While she left 1 hour before us, we quickly passed her and didn’t meet up with her again.
Aug. 21 - 26, 2012 Tuesday - Sunday
We stayed in Mackinac City for 6 more days waiting for winds to subside. We met some loopers who also came in during this time. Our friends on Viking Star out of BVI arrived and we had a good time with them while they stayed. Met other loopers, had docktail parties, went out to dinner, toured the ice breaker Machinaw (really interesting), and spent time on bikes exploring the area. Of course we did laundry, grocery shopping and Barb went out with other women to just window shop. We did hear back from boats that left before us that while the waters were quiet around Mackinaw bridge, they had hard times in Grey’s reef so while we were getting bored with being here, it was really good that we stayed. We met one interesting woman (Marsha) who was single handling a small 26 foot sailboat from Boston to Waukesha WI. She was an amazing person to talk to and be around. We helped her with information about Lake MI. All in all the harbor was nice (some wave action that had us bouncing some), and the many boaters we met were interesting and friendly.
Aug. 20, 2012 Monday
We left Mackinac Island heading west, only to have to turn around north of Gray’s Reef and return to Mackinaw City.
The winds and waves were building to the point that we were having trouble making headway without using a lot of fuel.
We pulled into the state docks in Mackinaw City to find the virtually empty. Spent the day aboard in strong winds.
The winds and waves were building to the point that we were having trouble making headway without using a lot of fuel.
We pulled into the state docks in Mackinaw City to find the virtually empty. Spent the day aboard in strong winds.
Aug. 19, 2012 Sunday
We moved to Mackinac Island today. We haven’t been on the island with a boat in years, but it is still the same. We took our bikes out and road around the island (8 miles). We ran into a number of loopers and were pleasantly surprised to see
Viking Star pull in. We took them out to dinner and enjoyed a great evening of catching up since we left them back in Georgian Bay. We did buy some fudge – can’t pass that up.
Viking Star pull in. We took them out to dinner and enjoyed a great evening of catching up since we left them back in Georgian Bay. We did buy some fudge – can’t pass that up.
Aug. 16 - 17 - 18, 2012 Thursday - Saturday
We laid over at Duncan Bay due to weather. Thursday was off and on rain and the strong winds. While we have good cell phone, the internet seems to come and go. We spent most of day on the boat. Friday, the winds increased in speed, so we stayed aboard. We have cable TV here so that entertained us. We also went out to dinner with Ray and Deb. We had a good time and a good meal. Saturday we entertained ourselves with boat work and preparations to move.
Aug. 15, 2012 Wednesday
Another good travel day so we headed to a new location for us. We went to Duncan Bay which is just south of Cheboygan, MI. We had heard of this marina and thought we would give it a try. The marina is very well maintained, private and has lots of amenities. The only problem is that it is outside of Cheboygan. We rode into town for groceries and it was over 3 miles each way but the Glen’s Market is a large well stocked store. We did find some GLCC members and an old friend from White Lake were docked here. We walked down to see Live Wire (Deb and Ray Blake) who used to be just down the pier from us in Whitehall, MI.
Aug. 14, 2012 Tuesday
North bound freighter on St. Mary's River
We couldn’t move early today because of fog. The Coast Guard closed the St. Mary’s river to all pleasure traffic until after 10:00. So we took the
time to walk around the historic part of town. Very interesting old homes, and history of the town from the 1700’s on. We were able to leave at 10:30 and start down the St. Mary’s river. We passed a ship heading north. Then Dave picked up a strange AIS signal of a ship approaching – it was a Canadian Naval cruiser. Very interesting to watch, but you can’t take pictures of it, same as US Naval vessels. We arrived in at 4:00. Settled in and then walked around town after dinner. This town is a dying community just as we have seen in many small places in Canada this summer. The marina was very empty and we could have walked down the middle of the main street if we wanted.
time to walk around the historic part of town. Very interesting old homes, and history of the town from the 1700’s on. We were able to leave at 10:30 and start down the St. Mary’s river. We passed a ship heading north. Then Dave picked up a strange AIS signal of a ship approaching – it was a Canadian Naval cruiser. Very interesting to watch, but you can’t take pictures of it, same as US Naval vessels. We arrived in at 4:00. Settled in and then walked around town after dinner. This town is a dying community just as we have seen in many small places in Canada this summer. The marina was very empty and we could have walked down the middle of the main street if we wanted.
Aug. 13, 2012 Monday
Today we motored up the north side of St. Joseph Island. We have never been able to do this due to a 35 foot bridge.
It was an interesting channel to navigate. We entered the St. Mary’s River about 5 miles south of Sault Ste. Marie,
MI. We continued into Sault Ste. Marie and completed customs into the US at this port. We did have some opposing currents during this trip and we had a freighter approaching us, but we were able to travel fast enough that it didn’t overtake us. We worried because some of the channel is narrow and not really good for passing. We went out to dinner at Antler’s Restaurant– recommended by others. Quite an interesting place, full of stuffed wild animals including a full grown polar bear, a lion, and many deer, fox, etc. There were also many antlers hanging around. George Kemp marina is fairly new and has good shore facilities.
It was an interesting channel to navigate. We entered the St. Mary’s River about 5 miles south of Sault Ste. Marie,
MI. We continued into Sault Ste. Marie and completed customs into the US at this port. We did have some opposing currents during this trip and we had a freighter approaching us, but we were able to travel fast enough that it didn’t overtake us. We worried because some of the channel is narrow and not really good for passing. We went out to dinner at Antler’s Restaurant– recommended by others. Quite an interesting place, full of stuffed wild animals including a full grown polar bear, a lion, and many deer, fox, etc. There were also many antlers hanging around. George Kemp marina is fairly new and has good shore facilities.
Aug. 12, 2012 Sunday
It took a while to pull the anchor, but we finally got it out of hard clay – it had really dug in during the strong winds. We went 41 miles to Thessalon, ON to a marina. We needed a pump out and this was supposed to be a deep marina – 6.5 feet at gas dock. We spent the night, did some laundry and walked around the town. Not much to see or do. But the docks were good.
Aug. 8 - 9 - 10 - 11, 2012 Wednesday - Saturday
Rickshaw on the move.
On Wednesday we traveled some with Rickshaw today, but they stopped at an anchorage before we did. We went into Turnbull Island which is well protected from the North and North East. It was a 26 mile run but we did
well. Spent the afternoon aboard. We had internet service at this location so did some computer work. We stayed aboard on Thursday as the winds were up and it was cold outside. Friday was even worse – had gusts over
30 knts. So couldn’t get off boat if we wanted to. Saturday was raining and strong winds but we stayed nice and warm inside. This is a great anchorage and has good holding. We didn’t have any weeds to contend with.
well. Spent the afternoon aboard. We had internet service at this location so did some computer work. We stayed aboard on Thursday as the winds were up and it was cold outside. Friday was even worse – had gusts over
30 knts. So couldn’t get off boat if we wanted to. Saturday was raining and strong winds but we stayed nice and warm inside. This is a great anchorage and has good holding. We didn’t have any weeds to contend with.
Aug. 7, 2012 Tuesday
Rickshaw at anchor near us in Oak Bay.
We were laying around enjoying the scenery, when Rickshaw called to say they were on their way into the anchorage. We took dinghy’s out in the afternoon to show them some of the area. Then the kayaks came down and people took turns paddling around. We had dinner aboard Rickshaw and then a sing along as their guest plays the guitar. Had a great day. We were putting away play toys after dark and preparing to move tomorrow. The winds are going to increase and we need a safer anchorage.
Picture is of Rickshaw. There are some differences in equipment and paint, but this is still a 44 DeFever.
Picture is of Rickshaw. There are some differences in equipment and paint, but this is still a 44 DeFever.
Aug. 6, 2012 Monday
We moved 20 miles north to Hotham Island and anchored in Oak Bay. Winds were from west so it was a pretty easy ride.
Stayed aboard in the afternoon and tried to work on the forward head. Still no luck – too much sea water comes in so that it overflows. We turned off the seacock and will use aft head.
Stayed aboard in the afternoon and tried to work on the forward head. Still no luck – too much sea water comes in so that it overflows. We turned off the seacock and will use aft head.
Aug. 5, 2012 Sunday
Did more laundry! It had been a while. Barb did one last trip to grocery for items forgotten the day before. Gave tour of boat to Terrapin couple. Spent the rest of day on the boat.
Aug. 4, 2012 Saturday
Barb did 5 loads of laundry early this am (like 6:00 a.m.). Rickshaw arrived and their friends drove us to the grocery store, which helped due to the large amount we needed to get to restock. In the afternoon a third DeFever arrived – an older 44. Unfortunately they were at the far end of the marina and couldn’t join us for dinner. We had cocktails on Rickshaw and then went out to eat.
Aug. 3, 2012 Friday
We were up and moving early this a.m. We had 68 miles to travel from Beaverstone to Gore Bay to finally meet up
with Rickshaw (DeFever 44 sister ship). Thankfully there was very little wind! The trip wouldn’t have been so long if we had better calculated the Little Current swing bridge. So we added about an hour to the day. We were pretty tired when we arrived, so didn’t do much in the afternoon.
with Rickshaw (DeFever 44 sister ship). Thankfully there was very little wind! The trip wouldn’t have been so long if we had better calculated the Little Current swing bridge. So we added about an hour to the day. We were pretty tired when we arrived, so didn’t do much in the afternoon.
Aug. 1 - 2, 2012 Wednesday / Thursday
Wednesday afternoon was outdoor activities. We were in a dinghy race and an umbrella race (don’t ask!). We didn’t win any prizes, but had a good time trying to be young again. We were a sponsor boat so we had guests aboard for cocktails at 5:00.
Nice group of people. On Thursday, there were more activities. Hallelujah hosted the needle group – women who did some sort of craft. There were 9 of us in the main cabin (Dave got relegated to the back deck) talking and doing needle crafts. Great group of women! In the evening there was a Chili dump – everyone made a pot of chili and it was dumped into one huge pot.
There were also dishes to past – I took three bean salad which was all eaten. Oh well, no left overs for us. The evening ended with awards and goodbye’s to new and old friends.
Nice group of people. On Thursday, there were more activities. Hallelujah hosted the needle group – women who did some sort of craft. There were 9 of us in the main cabin (Dave got relegated to the back deck) talking and doing needle crafts. Great group of women! In the evening there was a Chili dump – everyone made a pot of chili and it was dumped into one huge pot.
There were also dishes to past – I took three bean salad which was all eaten. Oh well, no left overs for us. The evening ended with awards and goodbye’s to new and old friends.
