Sunday July 7, 2019
Our anchorage just outside Covered Portage inside anchorage - we found the inside to be full of boats.
We did a 50 mile run to Covered Portage Cove Anchorage which is near Killarney, ON. We were hoping to anchor inside the cove but it was full. We had a good night on the outside anchorage along with 5 other boats. Even though there was wind, we were protected. Dave did well on navigation today as we didn’t have to hang out too long waiting for the Little Current Bridge (he planned speed from a route which worked very well). We had cocktails tonight on the back deck – no bugs! And it is a little warmer.
Looking East from our anchorage
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Looking North from our boat. Very pretty here and we were protected from the west winds.
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Friday / Saturday July 5 - 6, 2019
We made the 20 mile run back across the North Channel to Gore Bay. We needed a pump out and some produce / dairy groceries. We were also in need of Wine! The run was very quiet and we were put into our usual slip on the outer pier. We met a looper couple from Scotland and they came over for cocktails on Saturday. They were heading into the US and needed custom documents. We gave them info on getting to Saulte Sainte Marie. They were happy for the help. We did laundry, shopping, LCBO (wine), and Barb got a haircut. We also cleaned inside and outside – the boat is looking pretty good.
Thursday July 4, 2019
We only traveled 5 miles today to a favorite anchorage – Long Point Cove. There were four other boats here but we had a good spot to drop the hook. We have a small engine stop buttom problem. Barb tried to diagnose as Dave can’t fit in the fly bridge storage area. Will have to work on it in the fall – no big deal but annoying to have to go to main cabin to turn of starboard engine. We had a great afternoon sitting and watching boats come and go.
There are not many boats here this early in the summer.
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We are pretty well protected from the winds.
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Tuesday / Wednesday July 2 - 2, 2019
We did a 53 mile run into Canada and arrived at Turnbull Anchorage at 2:00 to find only 3 other boats there. We originally thought we would travel along the Southern Coast of the North Channel but the weather was perfect to do a run across to the north shore. We spent two nights in Turnbull as it was very quiet. We took the kayaks down on Wednesday and did some Kayaking among the islands both am and pm. We did have some internet connection here so were able to get weather updates.
Turnbull Anchorage looking South from the boat.
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Turnbull Anchorage looking West from the boat.
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Saturday / Monday, June 29 - July 1
We don’t have a choice – Charlevoix can’t extend our stay do to overbooking of marina. It is Foggy, but we have to leave. We are out of Charlevoix with the 7:30 a.m. bridge with Sonador to follow us at 8:30. We came out of the fog after turning east towards the Mackinac Bridge. We had great following seas and winds so that we didn’t have to use a lot of speed but were making 9.78 mph across ground. We went 55 miles in 6.5 hours! WOW! We fueled and pumped out and docked as Melissa pulled into the marina. She travels a lot faster than we do. We had docktails and went out for pizza with Melissa. Great evening. Tomorrow we travel alone. Sunday – Barb ran to the bakery (well walked fast) and got bakery for us and Melissa. We were off the dock by 7:03 a.m. heading east to Harbour Island anchorage. The weather was great! Sun (in our face) and no winds, so no waves. We arrived to find only 2 boats in the inner harbor so had choice of where to anchor (depth didn’t seem to be a problem this year. We got the dinghy down, hooked up the battery and rode over the Drummond Marina for fuel. Nice ride but the winds and waves were building – of course they were SW which means they come directly into the anchorage. Hallelujah was fine, but the smaller sail boats were jumping around. We decided to stay an extra day here and let the weather settle down on the North Channel. So we laid around on Monday – very little internet so we read books and relaxed while the winds blew quite strongly. The other sail boats didn’t leave and we had a couple more come in.
Sonador in Mackinaw City
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Ice Breaker Museum in Mack City
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Harbour Island inside anchorage
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Drummond Island Marina about half mile from anchorage
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Wednesday - Friday, June 19 - 28
Reality leaving Charlevoix with a Mushroom House in background.
Weather cooperated and we made the 35 mile run from Leland to Charlevoix in 4 hours. We had a little help from trailing winds. We love Charlevoix and were happy to see Pat and Hal (dockmasters) there to greet us. We called Bergman Marine that we were here, only to have to leave a message. We didn’t reach them until Friday. In the meantime, we walked and restocked wine cabinet. Celebrated year 49 of marriage with dinner out. We use Charlevoix as our last boat stocking location before entering Canada. Not much can be put into the freezer, but lots of storage for other foods! Each day we did some sort of shopping either by bike or walking. We have a routine when in Charlevoix, Dave takes a bike ride while Barb walks – sure sounds like FL living. We met up with Melissa and Miss Sophie (dog) on Sonador and had some great docktails. She gave us a couple of new anchorages to try when in Canada. Friends on a DF were also here and we went out to dinner with them – great to see Roger and Lorie on Reality! We met a looper couple who were just starting the loop – Jim and Julie Johnson on F.A.I.T.H. We had a couple of cocktails with them and gave them lots of info. We were disappointed that Bergman’s never got to the boat, but we still like Charlevoix. Will have to wait for repairs until we return to the states. Barb had the opportunity to see Boyle City by car – went with Melissa to a farmer’s market there. Bigger than Charlevoix market but not by much. We continue to watch the weather as we need a two day window to get to Drummond Island anchorage. Between winds and rain and fog, days passed by. You would think Hallelujah would be clean and shiny but we can’t seem to work long or so hard this year. Still need to get the bugs off the decks – but did a little cleaning as the last days were upon us.
Sunday / Monday, June 17-18
We left Menominee with some breeze but following seas for the 23 mile run to Sturgeon Bay. We didn’t have any trouble docking in the winds. We did a little engine room work that we found while traveling but otherwise we prepared for tomorrow – a long day. On Tuesday we left Sturgeon Bay really early – as the sun was coming up. We did an 82 mile run to Leland, MI – across and north of Sturgeon Bay ship channel. We are using Nebo and have family following us. Unfortunately, Nebo doesn’t work when there are no cell towers. When we arrived in Leland we had a large bank space on our NEBO track – but we called family to let them know we had arrived. The run was cold (43° air temp on the lake) and foggy in spots. Leland was a little warmer, but it took a while to thaw out. Barb walked around town, we got a great steak at the meat market and relaxed after the 9.5 hour run. The longest run of this trip. We are off tomorrow for Charlevoix. We did briefly meet a couple of Loopers traveling south – no docktails though.
Wednesday / Sunday, June 12 - 16
Hallelujah on T at Menominee, MI
The weather has not cooperated – it is cold, wet and very windy. We decided to remain here in Menominee, MI as the dock prices are cheaper than moving to Sturgeon Bay and sitting out the weather there. We stayed aboard and did a number cleaning projects but did take walks around town. There isn’t much here and no real bike trails – not that we could have used them. It rained on and off most days. Barb did walk out to the grocery store one day (about 1.5 miles) to get some needed produce and dairy stuff. Otherwise, we made use of a great internet connection and did a lot of playing around. We also spent time trying to figure out electrical problem and finding a place back in MI that could fix it.
