Day 105 – Tuesday, September 22, 2009

I can’t believe it but we are done with the 2009 boating season and what a season we had. We stored the boat for the winter in northern Michigan for we can continue traveling to the North Channel and Lake Superior next year. Barb and I are not finished boating as many thought we would be. Barb feels good…………the boat is running great.............and my pieces and parts are still working……..LIFE IS VERY GOOD!

We put almost 300 hours on the boat, traveled over 2000 miles and passed through 128 locks!

Thanks for your interest in our adventure……………

Until next season this is Barb and Skip signing off!

Day 104 – Monday, September 21, 2009

We stayed the night and left the house by 10am. We were well rested and decided to drive straight through to Chicago and arrived 15 hours later.

Day 103 – Sunday, September 20, 2009

Everything went as planned today. First thing I did when returning to our car was to look under the hood for critters! By 10 am the content of the rental car was transferred to the Buick and we were on our way to the airport an hour away. After returning the rental car we had the Buick washed as best they could, considering the tree sap and pine needles that were imbedded every where. We were ahead of schedule so we started driving south for a side trip to Connecticut and visited Dan and Jori, Barb’s son. We arrived at 6 pm had dinner a great visit then to bed!

Day 102 – Saturday, September 19, 2009

It’s 8:30 pm and we are now in Vermont…………………850 miles later! The weather was great and we made good time. Tomorrow we will return to the Champlain Bridge Marina 10 miles away and pick up our car that was left under a tree 100 days ago! Tomorrow we will transfer our load from the rental car to our car……………then return the rental car to the airport! Right now it’s time to crash and sleep!

Day 101 – Friday, September 18, 2009

The boat was lifted out of the water after lunch. By the time they finished their work and I had a chance to complete my work it was 4:40 p m. Barb and I left immediately and headed for Flint, MI find a motel. Barb got us to Birch Run, MI then it was time to call it a day!

Day 100 – Thursday, September 17, 2009

There was no foot dragging this morning. Everyone was up at 6 am in the dark and cold of the early morning. The boat was 57 degrees inside and every out side surface was covered with dew. The only salvation this morning was using the hot air hand dryer in the shower room. As we left the harbor I was wearing a coat and gloves! We left Charlevoix at 7:30 am and arrived in Northport Marina around 9 am. I got the oil changed and some of the systems winterized. Barb, John and I took a bus from Northport to the airport in Traverse City to get the rental cars for the trip home! Both cars are now half packed and tomorrow we are hoping that the marina will haul out both boats and send us on our way. Barb and I think we can get to Vermont by Sunday or Monday. We will pick up our car in Addison, VT then return the rental car at the airport in Burlington, VT.

Day 99 – Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Today is a weather day – the waves are 4 to 6 foot and crossing the bay which is 20 miles across would not be advisable! Barb and I scrubbed the boat from top to bottom since we had the time and location to do it. Today is a day to work on systems that can be winterized now and don’t affect our crossing to Northport. With luck we will get out of Charlevoix at first light tomorrow. The weather is predicted to have waves from 1 to 3 feet which is bumpy - comfortable and safe.

Day 98 – Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Charlevoix Marina – and a day of R&R! Will work on the generator and get it ready for next season. We plan to dine out later this evening and leave for Northport early tomorrow.

Day 97 – Monday, September 14, 2009

We walked into town to have breakfast, took time to look into the stores that were open, and then moved on to Charlevoix 19 miles closer to winter storage.

The 2 hour trip over here was quick and uneventful. The harbor of Charlevoix (picture is entrance) is offering a two for one stay so will depart from here Wednesday morning. Tomorrow I will start the process of winterizing the boat. I have stocked the boat with items needed to complete the task.

Day 96 – Sunday, September 13, 2009

This morning was foggy so didn’t leave the harbor until noon, when the fog lifted. With all of the haze there wasn’t much to see for the 56 mile trip to Harbor Springs. (Picture on left is Grays Reef Lighthouse and below is the lighthouse before going into Harbor Springs)



We got to the harbor after closing hours so we selected an empty slip then tied up for the evening. I plugged into cable TV (for the first time on this trip) to watch the Bears play football. Some things never change!

Day 95 – Saturday, September 12, 2009

The two Barb’s rode the bikes around the island (8 miles) this morning before we left for Mackinaw City. I did a shorter bike ride and kept my leg in one piece!

We are staying at a new State marina that isn’t quite finished. There’s no water available on the docks and Wi-Fi hasn’t been installed. There’s a picnic table on the grounds and if you sit in the correct seat there is free Wi-Fi available! They do have a beautiful laundry facility but it’s locked! What is here and accessible is first class. I’m sure by next year all of the bugs will be worked out.

Barb and I visited the recently retired US Coast Guard ice breaker the Mackinaw. I was told that she’s still in working condition but getting old for a ship. The ship will be berthed here from now forward and used as a museum. The ship and the work it did is very interesting and I would recommend a visit when in the vicinity.

Tomorrow we will pass under the Mackinac Bridge and enter the straits. If the weather is good and the water is somewhat flat we’ll have a great day. If the weather is windy and the water has a chop……..it will be a long day.

We’re starting to feel a little sad knowing the boat will be put in winter storage this coming week!

Day 94 – Friday, September 11, 2009

We are enjoying our stay on Mackinac Island. Today the four of us took an hour and a half carriage ride in the morning which was most enjoyable. Our driver was well informed and quite entertaining. This afternoon we took another carriage ride to the Grand Hotel and had afternoon tea! We took advantage of our visit and toured the hotel and the grounds. It continues to be ranked in the top 25 hotels world wide.

Day 93 - Thursday, September 10, 2009

Weathers great and we’re now on Mackinac Island. You know its Mackinac harbor because the boat is rocking. This is the calmest I have ever seen this harbor and the boat is still rocking! I’ve been on the bike and haven’t crippled myself yet.

We plan to stay a few days – eat fudge, drink wine and generally do all of the things tourists do!

Day 92 – Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Today we cruised around and through the Les Cheneaux Islands. We traveled 43 miles in dead calm water again. Most of the trip was in a little haze but very pleasant. We passed DeTour Reef Lighthouse and also Martin Reef Lighthouse. We’re staying tonight in a small but very nice marina in Hessel, Michigan.

At present we are 15 miles from Mackinac Island so will change our plans and stay only one night here and two nights on Mackinac Island! This will be second year to stay on the island with our boat. The weather is forecasted to be in the mid 70’s and clear for the next few days so will take advantage and enjoy Mackinac Island.

Day 91 – Tuesday, September 8, 2009

It was a great day for cruising! We departed Meldrum Bay at 9 am and followed a straight line across the North Channel then dropped south into Potagannissing Bay to the port of Drummond, on Drummond Island. We traveled 43 miles on water that was like glass. There was haze, but no fog and hardly a ripple to be seen.

We arrived at the government dock (below) and cleared customs with a firm hand shake and a hardy welcome home!

I’m not sure why but it’s a good feeling to be back in the good old USA! We couldn’t have been treated any better than we were in Canada, but home is home! Speaking of home ---- Barb and I are looking forward to getting back to Lombard and sleeping in our own bed that isn’t rocking!

We decided to spend the night in Drummond and get a few house keeping chores done before departing tomorrow for the north shore of Lake Huron. We were directed by some of our Canadian friends to visit a series of islands that we have passed by, the last two years. Tomorrow we will move south from Drummond into the Straights of Mackinac then west and take a few days to visit Les Cheneaux Islands. From there we hope to visit Mackinac Island for one night then Mackinaw City for an additional night.

Day 90 – Monday, September 7, 2009

Today we cruised 35 miles on flat calm water from Gore Bay to Meldrum Bay. Since I was last here in 2007 the small community is coming to life. Last year the government constructed a break wall to protect the harbor and additional facilities are scheduled to be constructed next year. The only grocery store in town has reopened and the owner told me it was a busy summer with boaters and campers passing through the area.

There is an old wooden hotel located here that we dined at in 2007. Tonight we will again dine at the hotel.

Tomorrow we will make Drummond Island then move to the north shore of Lake Huron and enter an inside passage for a day or two of scenic cruising. Fog has become and issue in this region. I was told that the boats in this harbor couldn’t get out until after 10 pm today. If that holds true for tomorrow we won’t get much further than Drummond Island. Boats coming from the west and moving toward us also had a late start and having trouble keeping to a schedule. We have no schedule so we will move when it’s safe and enjoyable.

Picture on right is entering Meldrum Bay - the one the bottom is the dock in Meldrum Bay.

Day 89 – Sunday, September 6, 2009

We spent another day in Gore Bay. Most of the day was spent working on John’s boat to no avail! Once satisfied that we could do no more to repair the problem we walked into town and had a light dinner. Most every thing is closed due to the holiday or end of the summer boating season!

The weather looks good for the next few days so will start our trip out of Canada! Tomorrow we’ll move to Meldrum Bay about 35 miles west of here and spend the night. Monday we will move to Drummond Island which is part of the State of Michigan, and re-enter the USA!

Day 88 – Saturday, September 5, 2009

We cruised (passing Johnson Point - picture below right) for two hours to reach Gore Bay (bottom left picture) and will spend tonight and possibly tomorrow night here. Tonight were in a slip while we attempt to make repairs to John’s boat. Tomorrow we’ll go on the hook 100 yards from here and test John’s repaired anchor roller assembly.

We walked the town and purchased a few groceries for the next week. For dinner we crossed the bay to dine at the Lodge. To reach the lodge we got into our dinghy and had a nice smooth ride across the bay in beautiful weather. I think summer is finally here!

Day 87 – Friday, September 4, 2009

The weather was next to perfect! No wind, no waves and plenty of sunshine! John drove the dinghy and took me to shore to climb the rocky shore to untie our boats from their selected trees. Sometimes I think were two-thirds of the “Three Stooges”! Considering everything…………we accomplished our task and proceeded to raise our anchors. That’s when Johns anchor roller split and he couldn’t get the anchor up via his anchor windless. He manually had to pull it up and secure to the boat. We had a quick summit meeting over our radios and decided to head to a port that might have parts to repair the problem. We changed our schedule and cruised directly to the town of Kagawong, in Mudge Bay. John and I got the roller removed and hope to find one tomorrow in Gore Bay a larger town with a big marina that has a ships store. The people here did every thing they could to help but didn’t have the part needed to fix the boat.

Kagawong was on the list to visit ---- so after we quit working on the boat we walked to the Bridal Veil Falls about a half mile away. It turned out to be a nice little hike in the woods and a nice break from living on the boat.

It’s getting late in the season up here and our two boats are the only transient boats that have been here in the past three days. The town restaurant is closed and Monday, Sept. 7th the town is closing the marina for the season! That seams early to me as most marinas will stay open through the end of September. It’s time that we start working our way out of Canada and return to the States. I think we will be out of the North Channel in two or three days.

Day 86 – Thursday, September 3, 2009

John and I finalized our winter storage contract then faxed it off to Northport, Michigan. They are expecting us around mid month. Once there I will need two or three days to prep the boat before turning it over to them for their part of the process. Barb and I are planning to rent a car and load up with all of the boat stuff that needs to return to Illinois. We will then drive to Vermont and pick up our car and transfer the load from the rental car to our car. Then we will drive to the airport in Burlington, VT and return the rental car before heading home. It’s going to be a busy and long trip but that’s fairly normal for us!

At present we are at anchor in Croker Island a very nice area of the North Channel. I think Crocker Island is part of the Benjamin Islands. It all depends which Canadian you talk to! The approach into the bay within the island was a little tricky with submerged rocks and shoals leading into the anchorage. The boat is now shielded from all but a north wind due to the shape of the bay. We are at anchor with 75 feet of chain lying on the bottom and 40 feet of line off the stern that’s tied to a tree. There are five boats anchored stern in close to the protective rock face and tied to trees growing out of the rock face! It doesn’t seem right to have the boat this close to a vertical rocky surface, but that’s the way it’s been done here for hundreds of years.

Tomorrow we will move to a different location and go on the hook again. It’s a lot of work but every day is different and challenging. The Canadians are the first to help out when they see a novas fumbling around with a new technique. The more I try to do - the more I need to know -and the more help I get. All in all it makes for a great boating experience!

Day 85 – Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Last night I got up about 2 am and the night sky was cloudy so Barb got to sleep!

Other than cleaning off a ton of weeds from the anchor we got under way by 9 am and entered the main channel without incident. We arrived in Little Current at 11:55 am and waited five minutes for the swing bridge, which opens on the hour. We went directly to our marina which we had called ahead and reserved a slip for the night. We are not sure if we will stay one or two nights here. Every one agrees that it’s more fun on the hook in some remote location. We have now finished exploring the Georgian Bay for this year and are in the North Channel and haven’t decided how long we will cruise this body of water! Everyone feels that we will put the boats up for the winter by mid September. If that works out, we should be home around the 1st of Oct. We still have our car in Vermont that must be picked up before returning home. On the way home we will return to the boat to load our belongings that need to return to Illinois.

Day 84 – Tuesday, September 1, 2009

We bid fare well to Snug Harbor and headed to Baie Fine. Three hours later we arrived in “The Pool” at the far end of Baie Fine. What a gorgeous location. We are surrounded by 450 foot rocky cliffs covered with 75 foot pine trees! The water is like glass and considering this is a destination point for boats there’s only five of us at anchor. Baie Fine is compared to the fiords of Norway! The nine miles that lead into the pool are cut into the rock and wind their way through a series of mini mountains until reaching a canal that takes you to the pool. It’s very shallow at the entrance to the channel and also at the elbow where you turn 90 degrees to enter the pool. The last leg of the journey into Baie Fine turns most boats around. It is a mile long and down stream from the nine mile fiord leading to it. Slow and careful is the only way to proceed - but when you make it in one piece its well worth it!

Barb and I launched the dinghy and went exploring. We were out over two hours and had a super time. After that I just sat on the boat and listened to the noises of nature and watched the scenery as the boat rotated at anchor.

We had cocktails at 5 on Barb and Johns boat then returned to Moor$tuff and removed the motor from the dinghy to begin preparing for tomorrow mornings departure to Little Current.

I’m going to set an alarm to get up and view the night sky! Last night was unbelievable and tonight should be equally beautiful.

Day 83 – Monday, August 31, 2009

This morning we hiked and climbed the “unofficial” marked trail to photograph our boats at anchor. The weather was cool and clear, perfect for a brisk physical walk up a steep hill. We took our time and it turned out to be quite enjoyable. By the time we returned to our boats secured the dinghy and weighed anchor it was close to noon. We moved up the coast only five miles to another anchorage called Snug Harbor.

Snug Harbor is a deep well protected natural harbor with a shallow entrance that probably keeps most boats out of here. We were told by other loopers to enter slowly and place a look out at the bow and look for rocks. We found 10 feet in the channel even thou the charts show 2 feet at the entrance! Parts of the bay drop off into 45 feet of water within 10 feet of shore. We anchored in 25 feet of water about 100 ft. from shore. John rafted off our boat. We then took a line from our boat to shore and tied off a tree to keep from swinging during the night.

Tonight we will have dinner on Moor$tuff around 6 then call it a day as it gets dark early in the middle of nowhere!

Tomorrow we plan on cruising to Baie Fine! Baie Fine is a boater’s dream destination! If every thing goes as planned we will anchor there for the night before moving to Little Current.

Day 82 – Sunday, August 30, 2009

The weather slowly improved as the day progressed until we decided it was time to move on. We departed Killarney close to noon. We didn’t go very far to find our next anchorage called Covered Portage Cove. It had the appearance of a box canyon, with vertical rocky walls that surrounded us on most sides. Barb and I took a long dinghy ride around the cove and into the channel that led to the cove. We located a trail that leads to the summit of the ridge overlooking the boat. Tomorrow we will attempt to climb the ridge and try to take photos.

I think tonight is going to be cold.

Day 81 – Saturday, August 29, 2009

Around 10pm last evening, the rain came and the boat continued to rock and roll until day break today. It wasn’t a night for sleeping or even resting!

The temperature dropped to a point that every one is wearing long pants, sweat shirts and jackets! This is the first day we had to turn on a small portable electric heater inside the boat. Barb wanted more heat than the little portable one so late in the afternoon I went to the boat house to get another power cord to heat the interior of the boat. A few people were standing on the dock next to the boat house looking across the river and I was told I just missed seeing a bear swim across the river then shake the water off his fur like a dog would ----- Timing is everything!

The weather forecast is for improved temperatures and wind conditions for the next few days. With the boat up and running and weather conditions improving, it appears we will leave Killarney tomorrow morning.

Day 80 – Friday, August 28, 2009

Today was a day of making repairs to the boat! Every thing fell into place as the day progressed. I started working at 7 am to remove both alternators and found out the Generator cover was in the way so it also was removed. There wasn’t a mechanic available to have the alternators checked or repaired within a one hundred miles so I hired a car and driver to take me to Sudbury to an alternator repair shop. John went along for technical and moral support – or maybe a road trip and lunch! I called ahead and after an hour and a half drive through the woods we arrived at the shop. The alternator shop mechanic told me the problem wasn’t major but could be repaired by replacing a terminal on each alternator. He said that this is a very common problem with Mercury marine engine alternators! Two hours later every thing was repaired and we headed back to the boat. The weather was turning and I was racing the clock to get the boat put back together. On our return every thing went as planed and by 7 pm, both engines were running!

It wasn’t very long after I had the tools picked up and the engine covers closed that the winds picked up and the boat started to rock - and roll - and rock!

Day 79 – Thursday, August 27, 2009

Another perfect day to cruise! We passed through some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever experienced.

About half way to Killarney we experienced a major engine problem – both batteries were loosing their charge and most systems were shutting down and alarms were going off! I was able to work around the problem by starting my generator and running on the battery charger to get me to port. It sure was comforting to have John standing by to assist if we got into more problems in the middle of no where.

After securing the boat to the dock I went into the engine compartment looking for something obvious. It didn’t take long to locate a broken wire on the starboard engine and the identical wire on the port engine about to fall off the alternators. I tried to get a mechanic to no avail. Frank the town mechanic said he would put me on the list but wasn’t sure when he could look at it! Then he said he would probably have to send the alternators to Sudbury for repairs etc & etc. To me it sounded like four or five days for him to do the work. It’s now decision time…………..do I wait for the mechanic………..or try to repair it myself?