Saturday – Day 15 – 8/16/08



North Manitou Shoal Lighthouse







Freighter with boat passing in Grays Reef Passage





We had a great night on the hook. A cool breeze blew all night which made it perfect for sleeping. We were underway by 0730 and turned north toward Grays Reef which is the door way to the Straits of Mackinac. Every time we get into the straits the wind blows and it continued to blow until we were into our slip! We passed under the Mackinac Bridge around noon and called the harbor master on Mackinac Island State Harbor. There was no room at the inn on the Island so we headed straight for St. Ignace Marina. After talking to the right person we found out there is a way to make reservations on Mackinac Island by calling the state and paying a fee! This Barb did as soon as we were tied up in our slip. We will spend the next two days on the island with our bikes and boat. We fueled up with $4.65 gasoline. The fuel attendant said they would drop the price of gas after their next delivery (damn – timing is everything). Tomorrow, Sunday, we move to Mackinac Island and act like tourists! Tuesday morning we will head south toward Detroit via Lake Huron.

Sunday – Day 16 – 8/17/08

Leaving St. Ignace

Arriving at Mackinac Island Harbor

We departed St. Ignace at 1100 and crossed the straits to the island. This is a challenging harbor to get your boat into its slip. The ferries do a great job of churning up the harbor and tossing the boats around, even after the boat is tied up in the slip! Considering the view from our slip it’s worth every bit of the rock and rolling we’re encountering. Barb and I walked to the fort today and spent the afternoon just looking around inside the forts walls. There’s a very nice tea house at the fort that over looks the harbor 150 feet below. We sat under a bright yellow umbrella and watched our boat bob around from a half mile away. With the crystal clear blue water it looked more like the Caribbean – not Lake Huron. We went back to a restaurant that we ate in last year when cruising with Chris and Bruce. It wasn’t the same with out them, but there’s next year! Every one on the island eats fudge or ice cream so we upheld the tradition and had both! The boat is bowed in to the slip and pointing directly at the hill that the fort is built on. In fact we’re lined up with the center of the fort which gives us quite a spectacular view. Tomorrow we plan to ride our bikes around the island. On our return, I’ll probably need physical therapy and a nap, or at least a cold beer! Its 2000 hours and they just blew taps from the fort! I thought I was back in the Navy for a second! Tomorrow, I’ll include our schedule for the west side of Lake Huron which should take about a week – weather permitting.

View from Fort Mackinac of Harbor




Monday – Day 17 – 8/18/08

This is our schedule for the next week weather permitting. Tuesday we will leave Mackinac Island and cruise to Roger City, Mich. Wednesday to Alpena, Mich. Thursday to East Tawas, Mich. Friday to Harbor Beach, Mich. Saturday to Port Huron, Mich. Sunday and Monday is somewhat uncertain as we will enter a congested stretch which will take us by Detroit and point us in the direction of Lake Erie. Our first port of call in Lake Erie will be Port Clinton, Ohio.

Barb and I have returned from our 8 mile bike ride. The scenery was delightful – the picnic was great and the hills were hell! My “special” leg did a super job for five miles then decided to go south as we entered the main stretch. If I was a horse some one would have shot me! A couple of pills a bag of ice and all will be well again. We were told that MOST people do the eight mile loop in about a hour ---- I want to meet a MOST person! When I do meet this person I’m going to buy him or her, a large cold drink! Barb was a little concerned with me riding the bike but has changed her outlook on the subject with the fine job I did missing all of the road apples that the horses left in my path. The weather is looking a little iffy for tomorrow so we may stay another day on the island.