Tuesday, August 14, 2012

83°48.706’ W

45°25.380’ N

Rogers City Marina (Lake Huron)

Rogers City, Michigan

  



Leaving Harrisville



Sturgeon Point Lighthouse



Our luck continues to hold with good weather. The sea was fairly quiet with little to no waves for most of the cruise. We started early and covered 72 miles without incident.



Middle Island Lighthouse



Presque Isle Lighthouse



The east coast of Michigan is boring at best and the ports of call are safe havens usually located near a small bar serving bar type food! This city had an Oriental restaurant that we could sit down and enjoy the cuisine which we did.

Tomorrow we’re hoping the weather will hold and plan to make port in Mackinaw City!



Arriving in Rogers City

Street in Rogers City





Rogers City Marina



Monday, August 13, 2012

83°17.141’ W

44°39.548’ N

Harrisville Harbor of Refuge

Harrisville, Michigan



Sunrise as we left



Harrisville in view



The day started early checking weather and getting the boat ready to move from her slip. By 7am we were underway planning on a long day if the weather would hold. The weather cooperated and we cruised 65 miles most in open water. The temperature was cool and damp with intermittent rain showers but nothing major.  We surpassed our goal and are pleased to be here in Harrisville for the night.



Harrisville Harbor



View of the marina



We walked into town for a light dinner, ice cream and a loaf of bread! Not to exciting but it beats sitting on the boat when it’s drizzling outside!

Tomorrow we are planning to repeat another long day and possibly reach Rogers City!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

82°38.785’ W

43°51.326’ N

Harbor Beach Marina

Harbor Beach, Michigan



Leaving Lexington



Harbor Beach Lighthouse



We broke our bonds with Lexington, Michigan and slipped out of port starting later than usual. The sky said one thing and the weather report was confirming the sky! The lake was saying something different and Barb and I agreed to give it a try and leave the harbor as there is a harbor ten miles away if things should get nasty!



Harbor Beach Marina



Today wasn’t a perfect day but good enough to cruise 43 miles and move up the lake. Once in the new harbor we walked into town for a light dinner and to get some much needed exercise. Sitting at the helm doesn’t do the legs any good.

 

Downtown Harbor Beach



Tomorrow, most of the day will be in open waters crossing the Saginaw Bay noted for its bad weather and rough seas! Crossing Saginaw Bay is similar to crossing Lake Michigan once you start there’s no place to hide so you just keep going!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

82°31.457’ W

43°16.167’ N

Lexington State Dock

Lexington, Michigan

We’re still here in beautiful Lexington, Michigan! The weather has been improving all day but not enough to get out of port. Tomorrow’s weather is looking good as I write this blog but considering the last four days anything looks good!

We spent the day cleaning the boat and doing routine maintenance. The boat got washed between rain-drops which helped rinse the soap off. I finally got the remainder of the dirt I collected in the locks on the Erie Canal off the hull.

We are planning to move north tomorrow……….weather permitting!

Friday, August 10, 2012

82°31.457’ W

43°16.167’ N

Lexington State Dock

Lexington, Michigan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!

The bad weather continues to keep us in port. It’s looking like we’ll be here through Sunday or

Monday.

With all of this extra time on our hands we did put on our rain gear and walk into town to get our hair cut! Barb took the time to do laundry and I did a few projects in the engine room! Not to exciting but productive!

Barb and I have learned that the weather service does make mistakes from time to time so will be up early looking for a break in the weather and a chance to move up the coast.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

82°31.457’ W

43°16.167’ N

Lexington State Dock

Lexington, Michigan

Our good luck with the weather has run out! Small craft warnings with possible gale force winds have been forecast. Wave height predictions could see 15 footers. What this means to us is we will weather out the inclement weather lashed to a dock in Lexington, Michigan!

My best guess is we will be here three or four days before the bad weather breaks and lets us move north.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

82°31.457’ W

43°16.167’ N

Lexington State Dock

Lexington, Michigan



View from our slip at
 Belle Maer Harbor



Leaving Belle Maer Harbor



Our goal today was to reach the port of Port Huron. The weather was clear and wave height was reasonable. Our problem today was, we were slowed by the 6 mph current until entering Lake Huron. Once in the wide open lake our speed returned and we pushed on for an additional 20 miles.



Ferries crossing



Ship's we waited for



On the way we saw fuel for $4.06 a gallon and thought it a mistake but it wasn’t so stopped and topped off. We were told that as soon as the fuel truck arrived the price would be raised to what ever he had to pay plus markup.





When we entered the main river we were met by two ships that crossed directly in front of us. Considering how big they were I laid back and watched them pass in review.

Industry along St. Clair River



Boat house





We made another 65 miles today and wonder when the weather will turn on us. The weather predictions are not good for the rest of the week so ------- stay tuned!

 

Homes along St. Clair River

Entrance into Port Huron

Blue Water bridge connecting
USA and Canada

Lake Huron

Entering Lexington State Harbor

Barb and I took time to walk into the town and enjoy a pizza. What we saw was an all American small town that was fun to visit.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

82°47.716’ W

42°36.304’ N

Bell Maer Harbor

Mt. Clemens, Michigan



Leaving Gregory Boat Co.



Homes along the way



Today was a short day on the water. After cruising 27 miles we entered a huge harbor filled with 940 boats. Every slip had parking in front of the boat slip with ample grass and trees to make for a park like setting.

We called Heather and Larry and were able to schedule a visit to their home. Heather came to the boat and drove us to their home for a very special dinner. Their home was beautiful and the food was great! They drove us back so Larry could see the boat and gave me a few pointers on how to cross the shallow lake and safely pick up the north canal that takes you into the St. Clair River.



Canadian Coast Guard



Arriving in Mt. Clemens



Tomorrow we will experience currents as high as 6 mph on the nose ---- that will slow our progress down!

Monday, August 6, 2012

82°58.778’ W

42°21.273’ N

Gregory Boat Co.

Detroit, Michigan



Leaving N-E Port Marina



Barb and I delayed our start trying to figure out the weather on Lake Erie! Once we decided it was a go we moved our boat to the fuel dock to experience a gas price hike of .54 cents a gallon since entering port three days before! I’m not sure what’s going on but the gas industry isn’t being very kind! So much for complaining ---- I paid the bill and off we went.



Detroit Light



Detoirt Skyline



Downtown Detroit



The lake wasn’t as bad as predicted and we had a bumpy but pleasant trip to the entrance of the Detroit River. Along the way and at the entrance we experienced ship traffic one being a 1000 foot ore carrier. When you stack our 35 foot boat against a 1000 foot ore carrier there isn’t any thing to compare. We followed on old Laker into the river and slowly lost sight of it as it proceeded up the river. As we progressed north the current began to increase slowing our boat over 2 mph.  I was told as we progress north the current will get stronger until reaching Lake Huron.

 

We didn’t have a destination planned and randomly selected Gregory Boat Co. that had good prices, a great ship store and very good security in the middle of Detroit. As soon as we had the boat secured I changed the oil in both engines before calling it a long day.

Tomorrow will be a shorter day as we will cruise into Lake St. Clair and visit Heather and Larry, friends we met while in Mexico.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

82°49.649’ W

41°33.386’ N

N-E-Port Marina

Catawba Island, Ohio

With dark heavy clouds overhead and the wind creating 6 to 8 footers on Lake Erie the boaters started heading for home early!  Jerry and Rose drove us to the local store before departing and beginning a four hour drive to get home.

Shortly after they left the sun came out and so did a few remaining boaters so back to the picnic table for more stories and munchies. Later in the day Jack, Sue, Tom, Chris, Barb and I went to a new restaurant on the water front and had a late lunch before they all headed for home.

We are now in the planning stages to depart first thing tomorrow and head for Detroit and stay on the river some where. I think a few phone calls are in order before departing. As always all of our plans are weather dependent!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

82°49.649’ W

41°33.386’ N

N-E-Port Marina

Catawba Island, Ohio

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JORI!

Most of the day was spent at the tables next to the boats doing what boaters do best! It sure was nice to see all of the people we had met four years before. 



Moor $tuff in the slip



The plan was to dine at a very popular restaurant named Mon Ami Restaurant & Winery for their Saturday night buffet! After waiting for over an hour to get in (worth every minute) the feast began! This was a special weekend so there was no holding back. Jack, Sue Jerry, Rose, Tom, Chris, Barb and I had one heck of a meal.



Chris - Sue - Barb - Rose
Tom - Jack - Skip - Jerry



On our return to the marina and before we had a chance to sit at the picnic table for a night cap a major storm blew in and all hands ran for their boats to add extra lines and secure anything that could blow away. Once the boat was secured and the rain began to pelt us --- we took cover inside our boat where we stayed put until morning! The storm was a little frightening for the first half hour then settled into rain, lightening with plenty of thunder to keep us awake.

Tomorrow, Barb and I will take some time and plan the next leg of our adventure.

Friday, August 3, 2012

82°49.649’ W

41°33.386’ N

N-E-Port Marina

Catawba Island, Ohio

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO SHERRI & MARK!



The arrival of Barb, John
Cathy & Jim



The boys checking out the engine

While having breakfast on our boat after a late evening the night before, we received a call from John and Barb Flint and Jim and Cathy Condon who were about to set off on two separate road trips. The first part they were going to travel together. The Flints would travel in their recently acquired RV and Jim in his vintage 1971 Corvette with trailer. There planned destination was going to take them close to this port so a short detour was planned and to the delight of all they showed up five hours later. It was great to see everyone again and rehash all the ports we did together. I am sure those who follow our blog have recognized their names and remember the amount of time spent together! Barb and John will stay the night at the marina in their RV and Jim and Cathy have a room in the local motel close by.



We went to a great Mexican Restaurant for dinner before calling it a night. Said our good byes to Jim and Cathy before they drove to their motel and the rest of us returned to the marina.

Tomorrow we will have breakfast with Rose and Jerry at the local breakfast hot spot. John and Barb will be leaving in their RV to rejoin Cathy and Jim to continue their road trip. In the future we look forward to catching up with them and continuing the adventure together.

A few more friends of Rose and Jerry will show up at the marina tomorrow --------so, it sounds like another fun filled day!

Cathy - Barb - Rose - Jerry
Jim - Skip - Barb - John

Thursday, August 2, 2012

82°49.649’ W

41°33.386’ N

N-E-Port Marina

Catawba Island, Ohio

Leaving our slip in Vermilion



Homes along the Vermiliion River

We purposely did a late start and had a short crossing of 27 miles which made for a pleasant start for a long weekend with friends. We turned into the last channel before entering our slip when Jerry and Rose pulled up in their car. We didn’t take time to connect water or electric just lash down the boat hop in their car and head for the first restaurant “watering hole “down the highway. It’s always great to see old friends.



Arriving at the entrance into
Catawba Island

 

Heading to our slip at
N-E Port Marina

Later in the afternoon some of Rose and Jerry's boating friends started showing up. Two picnic tables and an assortment of lawn chairs replaced two parking spaces and the evening social hour began. There were lots of questions about our loop adventure and many comments remembering when we were here at the beginning of our loop adventure in August 2008. Tomorrow a few more people we know will show up for the weekend………let the fun begin!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

82°21.478’ W

41°25.411’ N

Vermilion Power Boat Marina

Vermilion, Ohio

 

Leaving Geneva State Park



Perry Nuclear Power plant



What a great day, we covered 80 miles which places us closer to Put-in Bay where our friends Jerry and Rose have a boat. Tomorrow we will complete our trek across Lake Erie in 4 days arriving before the predicted storms arrive Friday! Five foot waves are not part of our boating routine and when possible we stay in port and play it safe!



Fairhope lighthouse



Cleveland skyline



Today was a rerun of yesterday! When we left the harbor Barb said not a word but her silence was enough. The boat was rocking and pitching in the 3 foot surf with rollers hitting us on our starboard quarter. I suggested that we give the lake a half hour to improve before turning around and heading back to where we came from. The lake did improve and Barb said lets give it a go at least until the next safe harbor. By the time we were close to the next harbor the seas had improved to a point we kept on going.



Entrance into Vermilion



Homes along the way to our dock



This harbor was chosen because we were running low on clean clothes and fresh water and we were dead tired! This marina had a laundry and all the fresh water we could use plus being quiet and restful. The water tank has been filled and the laundry completed. We are now ready to move on tomorrow.

The city of Vermilion is one big harbor with canals filled with boats everywhere. All the homes are white with well manicured laws running up to their face docks where they moor their boats.   I have never seen anything like this before --- this is one incredible location!