Whitefish Point to Grand Marais

Sunday, June 30, 2013

We left the dock at Whitefish Point at 7:15 am. Throughout the night, we listened as the wind slowly settled down and the waves breaking off Whitefish Point eased. We didn't know what to expect as we left the harbor of refuge and made our way out into the big lake. It was calmer than expected so we tried to sail. The winds were too light which left us crawling at 3-4 knots. We need to move at 6-7 knots to make the 50 miles we planned to cover so we chose to motor sail under just the mainsail. The shoreline is very pretty.

Whitefish Point Lighthouse view as we head North

We rounded Crisp Point Lighthouse two hours after passing the Whitefish Point Light. Without enough wind, we continued to tack in and out from the shoreline, looking for a calmer ride under sail and engine power. It's a beautiful morning with a sky filled with sunshine. Even though a good amount of spray is giving us a chill in the cockpit, we hope to be able to shed a layer or two. 

Crisp Point Light

We arrived at the Grand Marais breakwater at 4:00 and approached the long narrow entrance channel. It took a while to see the dock in the far corner of the harbor. We noticed a lot of activity on land and boats rafted up everywhere. We had to maneuver carefully into a tiny spot at the fuel dock behind two fishing boats. Someone from shore helped us tie off. The smell of a fish fry overwhelmed us with hunger. We learned that we had arrived at the local annual fishing tournament with a Grand Prize of $4,000.  

Dave called the Harbor Master to help provision us. Josh arrived very quickly, on a bike. We began fueling Mystic. It's tricky due to the curve of the fill tube and speed of the diesel pump. The tank burps and spits the smelly pink diesel out onto the gunnel. Mystic can hold 48 gallons but took only 16. We pumped out the head then flushed it with clean water. 

Josh was very helpful. It was his first week working this summer job. As we chatted, Josh told us about going to Ireland with his Grandmother. She offered him an inheritance when she dids or a shared trip while she is alive. This smart young man chose the experience with Grandma.  Dave offered him a beer and we sat and chatted about our mutual adventures in Ireland.



Grand Marais, MI

The fish fry was wrapping up so we walked into town for ice and had dinner at the Lake Superior Brewing Company. The WIFI was not very consistent but we were able to check mail and post our progress. We were pretty tired after our 8 hour run. We have two more long days ahead of us if we want to make it to the Keweenaw by July 3rd.


Sign on the Wall - Lake Superior Brewing Co, Grand Marais

Before retiring for the night, we went for a walk along the beach facing the Au Sable dunes. Apparently, the dunes are prone to sand slides. We took photos then walked back to the boat to rest. When we are at the dock we have shore power so I made sure both computers were charging and I downloaded all of our photos.  I'm still having problems with the camera CF cards and the card reader. It's bad timing for camera issues!



Shore view of Au Sable Sand Dunes, Grand Marais, MI

Good Morning Grand Marais, MI

Boat anchored at Grand Marais Harbor

Musings:

• Diesel $4.93/gallon at the marina, $4.30 at the gas station
  
• Facilities - poor, include a port-a-potty and pay showers at the nearby campground.  We did NOT shower!
• 348.6 Engine Hours
• Had to wear jeans on our walk tonight. It's too cold for late JUNE!!!  
• Grand Marais has a great anchorage

Waiska Bay to Whitefish Bay Safe Harbor

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Dave was up at 5:30 while I stayed snuggled in bed for another hour. We had planned to leave by 6:00 am and make a 70 mile run. There is a cold north wind so Dave decided we should go to Whitefish Point and wait out the weather.  We can make a longer run in better conditions.

The days are running together.  It’s good we have phones that show date and time and that I’m marking each day as I write our ship’s log. We aren't sure we'll make it to the Apostles by July 4 for the fireworks as planned. It’s ok, the goal is to get to Knife River safely. We hope to hike the Au Sable sand dunes on Grand Marais and visit the Picture Rocks between Grand Marais and Munising.  That north wind may keep us away though.

Gros Cap Reefs lighthouse, the first ugly lighthouse we've seen, is offshore and appears to be built to withstand the weather. Iroquois Light is onshore.  It is abandoned but beautiful. We arrived in Lake Superior to a bell ringing on green marker #39 at 9:30 am.



Gros Cap Reef Light

We docked at slip 6, on the safe harbor dock at Whitefish Point. We can stay here for free. Cruising books call this a “Refuge”.  A Coast Guard boat is sitting at the dock with 4 young ‘coasties’ aboard.  We brought them home baked chocolate chip cookies. The first thing they said to us as we approached was, “Are you American?”  They were nice young men who told us the lighthouse was a short walk away. This lighthouse is believed to be the oldest on the lake, built in 1849. It marks “the graveyard of the Great Lakes”, with more than 500 shipwrecks off the point, including the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Mystic at Whitefish Point Harbor

Standing on the point at the site of
the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald



Whitefish on the point

We walked along the shore to the point and took photos of ourselves standing where we imagined the great ship Edmund Fitzgerald went down. It reminded me of my beloved Bluff Point except Whitefish Point shot out in the opposite direction. The Whitefish Lighthouse is a tourist destination with a museum and store. There were a gazillion people visiting the lighthouse. We took photos and meandered through the store before heading back to the harbor past the Seney National Wildlife Refuge.  Visit http://www.fws.gov/refuge/seney/  for photos and details of this beautiful place.  Again, we are reminded that there is never enough time to experience all we wish to. 


Whitefish Point Lighthouse

Whitefish Point Lighthouse

It is quiet here at the safe harbor, much like it has been at all the state docks we have visited. We rock gently and I dream of having a gourmet ice cream cone. Dave is listening to VHF and finding French Canadian channels. I wonder if our daughter, Brie would get a kick out that since she is fluent in French.

The breakwater we are tethered to is very popular. Tons of folks have walked out past Mystic to the entrance to the safe harbor. A motorcycle couple from Detroit stopped to admire our boat. The man said he owned a Seafarer 28. We looked at a Seafarer 34, Wind Swept Lady, while we were searching for a cruising vessel. The motorcyclist admired how updated Mystic is, noting the modern refit with windless, anchor rollers, roller furling and winches. The couple was biking around Lake Superior. They complained about the cold June weather which was definitely an issue for us as well. They said Detroit has been wet this spring. They bought 2 new 65 gallon rain barrels for their yard and they are already full.  They can’t use the water fast enough. We are impressed that they are exploring Lake Superior by motorcycle. 

Musings:

• Wind has finally lightened as evening settles in.  We sit on deck with cups of tea laden with honey as we listen to 70’s and 80’s music on the radio.  Life is simple, life is good
  . 
• Tomorrow should bring lighter winds but we’ll be covering high miles under the toughest section of the lake they call Gitche Gumee. We will be rested and excited to get to the marina in Grand Marais. All I can think of is taking a shower!!! 
  
  
• We’ll have lots to do when we get to Knife River. Mystic has fared well but is very dirty and has some dings that could use tender loving care. Dave checked the 15.5 gallon head tank. We need to pump out as soon as we are at a marina. We didn’t expect it to fill so quickly. We estimate we only used it 10-15 times. 
  
  
• Dave ran the jack lines tonight in anticipation of a wild ride tomorrow. We will be able to attach our harnesses to the bright yellow lines and move along the full length of the boat safely.  He’s always thinking and strategizing.
  
  
• Two of everything! Impracticable at times but has saved us more than once.  This trip we brought 2 camera batteries (one died), 2 CF cards (one failed), 2 computers (one died), 2 sets of charts (one printed, one on the computer which failed). Yes, whenever possible bring backup!
  
  
• We arrived on Lake Superior today! Yeah, us!

Lime Island Through Sault St. Marie Lock And On To Waiska Bay

June 28, 2013 

At 8:00 am, we pulled off the pier on Lime Island. The channel is quite narrow so we walked the boat around using lines to spin it in place. Lake Huron and the St. Mary's River were filled with a beautiful green colored water.  It is very pretty but photos do not capture it as you see it.

Mystic - ready  for our departure, Lime Island

A young kayaker stayed on the island last night and left before us this morning. He travelled an amazing distance before we caught and passed him heading north. He was fighting a good strong current. We were duly impressed with his progress and the adventure before him.

We arrived at the Sault St. Marie lock at around 1:15. In general, pleasure boats go through the Canadian locks while cargo ships go through the American locks. The NE wind was pretty strong as we approached the lock. We have been through several locks before but this was our first time through the "Soo" locks. We secured Mystic on a waiting pier where we could see the entrance light (like a traffic light). Soon we saw water moving near the lock doors and the light turned green. We slowly motored into the lock chamber. A couple college students were there to help us and instructed us to grab one of the lock cables. We wrapped our line around the cable but did not tie off.  Dave was at the stern and I was at the bow. By the time we were ready for the flooding of the chamber it was raining pretty hard.  Luckily we had put our rain jackets on while waiting.

Beth holding on in the Soo Locks

All of a sudden there was a load noise from the stern.  I turned to see paper flying through the air, and something crashing into the boat barely missing Dave's head. Apparently, the young college student had dropped his clipboard from 20 feet above us barely missing Dave's head. All of the day's boater information was now floating in the water. He was embarrassed but no one was injured. The whole lock through took about 15 minutes and was an easy passage.

Dave at the stern in the Soo Locks

We crossed paths with some crazy kayakers on St. Mary's River. They were in the middle of the channel, bobbing in the waves at the same time a tanker was in the middle of the channel south of us, heading right for them. We thought the tiny floaters would move out of the way but they paddled directly toward the ship. This must be a kayaker thing because the ship kept course and the kayakers stayed put within 100 feet of the vessel, sitting back in their seat and gazing straight up the side of the ship. We took photos of this strange scene. To us, it was like the kayakers were petting a whale.

Kayakers boldly approach cargo ship on St. Mary's River

We don't always have the option to sail if the conditions aren't right. We have to be somewhere each day and only have so many hours to move. We arrived at Waiska Bay at 5:00 pm after nine hours of motoring. We anchored in 8 feet of water with a fishing boat off of our stern across from Brimley, Michigan. I made soup for dinner. Our plan was to leave early in the morning. We have to cover 70 miles to stay on track but our options include either 30 miles to Whitefish point or 70 miles to Grand Marais. We plan each day as though either option could happen. Eventually, we would learn that cruising is all about making several plans with the hope that one would actually work out in the end.

Mystic is very dirty from the bug massacre. Our new fly swatters are tattered and worn. and have been repaired twice. It's possible they won't make it all the way to Knife River. The bugs are tenacious! We battle biting flies, horse flies and mosquitos every day. My bite sites are swollen and sore due to an over-reaction to bug bites. All I can think of is Lyle Lovett's song, 'If I had a boat'. That damn pony came with horseflies!

Twice Repaired Fly Swatters

Musings:

• Downloaded 458 photos today.  Putting that in perspective, I take about 30 photos of each lighthouse. 
• Rain Gear is AWESOME!
• We travelled about 40 miles today, ran the motor 9 hours

Optimism On Chilly Lake Michigan

It is chilly on the Lake. Each morning I put on my bathing suit.  Then, I add a tank top and shorts.  Over the shorts I put my lite running pants. The top layer is sweatpants. I add a short sleeve t-shirt, a long sleeve tech shirt, my light fleece, a heavier fleece and my wind jacket. Shoes and socks are a must. On a good day, I take it down to my short sleeve t-shirt and shorts. On a GREAT Day, I end up in my bikini.  However the day turns out...I am an optimist!
 

Bundled up!

Covered lightly, top to bottom

 

Sipping coffee to warm up on the inside

A good day



A great day almost down to my bathing suit!

St. Ignace to Lime Island

June 27, 2013 

After breakfast and a walk through town, we lathered up with SPF30 and cast our lines under an overcast sky at 9:45 am.  It was a bit chilly and damp out on the water. We have our new fly swatters in hand, ready for the onslaught. Motoring at 6.5 knots we are wearing fleece and long pants. I have my foul weather jacket on as well. 

Light rain started to fall around 11:45. It only took an hour or so before we had to add 2 layers of clothes on the bottom and 4 layers on top, as well as shoes on our cold feet.  The sky was hazy with occasional showers and there were bugs everywhere. Mystic was dotted with the remains of those that were not quick enough to avoid the swatter. A major cleaning will be needed once we reach Knife River. 

There is a lot of time to think while we are cruising; with moments of total focus on some issue at hand; a boat coming our way or a channel marker we should be passing. There is never a dull moment. Dave and I enjoy each other's company and spend our day chatting.  We wish we had more time at each stop.  We would have loved to stay longer on Rock Island and St. Ignace. 

Cargo ship off our port side

Our next stop is Lime Island, a State owned park with a dock which was once used as a fuel dock for cargo ships. It looks interesting and will put us another 50 miles or so closer to home. The dock is a long pier with a tern nesting site alongside it. It is said to be the largest colony of terns on the Great Lakes and is protected by an electrical fence. As we came into port, we motored right next to the birds. I wanted to take photos but had to pay attention to docking. Later we spent time photographing these beautiful little creatures. 

We met the island caretaker, Dave, who told us he didn't know anything about the island. It was his first week as host. He found the opportunity in the back of a fishing magazine. It seems that anyone who wishes to do so can spend time on these state parks as hosts. It is something we would definitely consider one day.

Dockage on Lime Island is $15 per night. There is a drop box for submitting payment. Dave, the host, told us, " Pay or don't pay, I don't really care; however, the DNR will be looking for you if you don't pay."  He explained that his job was to get our registration number and document that we stayed, nothing more. 

After making sure our payment was in the drop box, we set off to explore the island. The former dock master's quarters is now a historic museum. It is called "the big house". Eight small houses which were once inhabited by families are now rented out at $65/per night. A boardwalk leads to six campsites set on wooden platforms with views of the St. Mary's River. In addition, there is a 1916 schoolhouse on the Island. It was not open for us to tour so Dave took a photo through the window. The island is inhabited by a lot of mosquitos.

Tern nesting area on Lime Island

We walked down the boardwalk to visit the campsites then followed the path to the river.  There was a substantial amount of coal all around, most likely it dropped from the ships that came to the Island to refuel. On our way back to the dock, we met a woman who told us she was visiting with 20 family members for a week-long family reunion. Her grandmother grew up on the Island and her Grandfather worked the docks. We were fascinated to hear her story and wished we had the opportunity to stay the week and sit around the campfire with this group in order to learn more.

1916 Schoolhouse

Interior of Schoolhouse

We made our way back to the docks as thunderstorms moved in. They lurked around us all night but it was the warmest part of the day and we hoped it would stay that way. The sun peeked through the clouds just enough to color the sky. Dave hung a mosquito net over the hatch before turning down the lights.

Peaceful Place - Lime Island

View of the Island as we departed

Musings:

Note to self, Lime Island has a very high wall where boats tie up.  We figured out as we left that moving forward on the pier to the point that has a low spot and a ladder makes boarding and leaving the boat less treacherous.

Rocket Club's new song 'Now . Here. This', fits our day perfectly. The lyrics remind us to 'be in the moment' whenever we can! This could be "the best damn ever 27th of June!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzfjwWB0w0g&safe=active

St. James Harbor (Beaver Island) to St. Ignace

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 

We woke to a sunny and calm morning.  Bundled up in multiple layers we motored all day. We passed several lighthouses and we were very excited to go under the Mackinac Bridge. It is huge at about 5 miles across from shore to shore and really high at 155 feet off the water. It is said to be the fourth longest span in the world. We could see the cars through the grating as we passed beneath; cool but also kind of creepy!

Cars crossing the Mackinac

Approaching the Mackinac

After arriving at St. Ignace, we went straight for the showers. It had been four days so this was a priority and a luxury! We had dinner at The Marina Pub; a whitefish hoagy and a turkey on rye. The food was great and the beer was cold!  Sitting on the outdoor patio, we enjoyed watching the old cars arrive in town for the antique car show. Our daughter, Brielle, called us while we were having dinner. It was nice to hear her voice and catch up.  Contact from home makes any day a good day.

  

This old Mercedes...I could drive!

Marina Pub Garden


We got a good night's sleep; it rained off an on all night so the boat was very wet in the morning. We walked to town to find a store where we could buy fly swatters.  Ace hardware had a electric hand held zapper,  but we settled for 2 old fashioned ones. The cashier directed us to the BnL Café or Bentley's for a good cup of coffee. Bentley's has been around since somewhere around the 50's and hasn't changed a bit.  The food was good old home cooked eggs, potatoes and toast, and LOTS of coffee. The best part, by far though, was that they had WIFI.  Finally we could connect and post our progress.

Bentley's Cafe



Main Street has a river walk along the waterfront. The St. Ignace lighthouse sits at the end of a long pier. This lighthouse is quite striking but is really just for show. The park was very popular with locals.

St. Ignace Park Lighthouse

Musings:

• In spite of wearing sun screen, we both got sunburned today.  It's time to put the Boom Shade up.
• The Mackinac Bridge is fascinating.  http://www.mackinac.com/about/mackinac-bridge

Chance Encounter ~ Dan Branson and St. Ignace Marina

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 brought us one of those experiences that you never forget. We had made the crossing from St. James Harbor, Beaver Island, under the Mackinac Bridge and were ready for a stop over at a marina. We wanted to stay on Mackinac Island but re-thought that decision when we read that it was crowded with tourists, and it was recommended we call ahead for a marina slip.  We decided to pull into the St. Ignace marina on the mainland.

St. Ignace Marina

The harbor has protected docks within a breakwater.  We pulled up to the gas dock and filled up the tank. We asked the attendant about docking slip for the night. We paid for diesel, moved to our slip then walked up to the marina office to pay for our slip. Dave commented that a man walking along the path toward us looked a lot like Dan Branson, the Vinette boatyard owner who launched us in Escanaba three days ago.  I responded, "Dave, that IS Dan."

How awesome is life...Two days ago, we waved goodbye to him in Escanaba.  We traveled by water and chose a marina based on a cruising book, a last minute change to our original plan to stay on Mackinac.  The timing for our paths to cross had to be almost exactly perfect to see each other but it happened.

We asked Dan what he was doing in St. Ignace.  He looked as baffled at seeing us as we felt seeing him. He said he was delivering a car for someone.  He stopped at the marina to ask for directions. Coincidence? Maybe or maybe not, regardless, it was a delightful encounter for us!

Life is good and funny and chaotic. Sometimes, if we are lucky, we experience an event that makes us see that life is an amazing journey, full of surprises.  We have to pay close attention in order to enjoy all there is to experience.  We will never forget this chance encounter.

Rock Island to St. James Harbor Beaver Island

Tuesday, June 25, 2013 ~ 

We waved goodbye to Rock Island at 8:45 and arrived safely @ St. James Harbor at 9:45.  Beautiful, safe and tucked away, we were hungry, tired and happy to be on the hook.  I made jambalaya with fish and scallops for a one pot meal.  We enjoyed a beautiful sunset!

Sunset on St. James Harbor

The crossing was not bad but the weather changed often, leading us to be in layers and then in bathing suits then back in layers. We passed the Rock Island Light within a half hour then headed into open water. The day started out relatively clear but became foggy. Boulder Reef marker should have been on the port side but we never saw it. We aimed for the south side of Beaver Island. We drifted North by 3-4 miles so we went around to St. James Harbor via the North end of the Island. The waves were hitting our starboard side. We had to take the auto pilot off and manually steer.  Mystic handled well. We kept the main and foresail up most of the day but reefed them both toward the end of the crossing when the wind increased to about 20 mph. The unknown is stressful but exciting and it's encouraging when we see that we can handle what we face.

Rock Island Light

Our anchorage is lovely.  We don't have time to go ashore but would love to come back and explore this Island. The water is Crystal clear; we could see the bottom. When we woke on Wednesday there were two other boats anchored nearby. We never heard them come in. We could hear people talking on shore at one of the docks. Their voices carried over the harbor and we smiled as we listened to their excitement as they counted the boats in the Harbor.

Anchorage at St. James Harbor, Beaver Island

Dave will pre-reef the main before we leave for Mackinac Island today.  Yesterday's reefing didn't go as well as we hoped. One reefing line broke so he reefed the lines on either end of the boom and left the rest. Conditions were rough and he was getting thrown around a bit.  We are learning and enjoying the process. It was a long day putting 70+ miles under our keel.

We're heading for Mackinac tomorrow hoping to stay the night on the Island.

St. James Light

Musings:

• Biting flies are the scourge of Lake Michigan
• Rock Island is a MUST SEE!!!
• Roller furling and auto pilot...don't leave home without them.
• Yelling "land ho" when there is no land in sight is NOT funny!
• Any broadcast on the VHF is interesting when you haven't seen a vessel in 5 hours.
• The right amount of wind from the right direction is good, the wrong amount of wind from the wrong direction is bad!
• The marathon sticker on my bumper applies to cruising:  "Every mile earned, never given"

Rock Island WI ~ Paul and The Water Snakes

Tuesday, June 25, 2013 

We are preparing to leave the dock at Rock Harbor around at 8:00 am. Paul and the Park Ranger, who arrived via boat this morning, stopped by to chat. Paul offered to help us with our docking lines as we maneuvered our departure. He made note of the water snakes that were just beginning to slither their way up the dock wall to sit and sun themselves.  He told us that there would be about 30 of them before the sun got too high.  I was so glad we did not know about the snakes when we arrived yesterday.  Paul said he has an understanding with the snakes which will bite if provoked.  The agreement: He won't bother them and they won't bite him. 

Rock Island Water Snakes

The Park Ranger told us that unpleasant boaters come to the island and don't want help with docking.  They are rude and difficult, and sometimes unkind to Paul.  These folks were often directed to tie up on the outside of the dock. We had been directed to tie up on the inside. The Ranger explained that the snakes only climb the outside of the dock.  Boaters are not informed of the snakes morning routine. At times, a snake has been known to board a docked vessel, usually to sit in the sun on the swim platform. Paul giggled as the Ranger described hearing screams from boaters just off shore when a wayward snake had been discovered. It was very nice to know that we were thought of as friendly and considerate boaters.

Caretaker Paul and Beth keeping an eye on the snakes!

Escanaba to Rock Island, Door County, Wisconsin

Monday, June 24, 2013 

We slept GREAT last night.  Breakfast at the Family Inn in Escanaba, good ole home cooked food, fast and abundant.  Time to get organized, then make a last minute run to the grocery store.  Hoping to set sail mid-day.

Minneapolis Shoal Light

The day got away from us, we left Vinette around 2 pm which was much later than we hoped.  Dan, his brother Jeff and the yard worker Tom helped us launch from the dock after lashing the dinghy to the bow.  They directed Dave out of the harbor, "Keep the boathouse directly behind you.  If you can see the South wall, you are too far South; if you can see the North wall you are too far North."  Dan mentioned that Mystic pulls to the port side when in reverse.  Dave nodded acknowledgement.

We had hoped to leave Escanaba under sail but we motored 4.5 hours into a stong SW wind.  Originally we thought we'd aim for Jackson Harbor on Washington Island but Dan convinced us that "Rock Island is a must see!" We arrived at Rock Island at 6:50 pm.  There were beautiful rock buildings on a white rock beach.  Large patches of white dotted the shoreline, over rocks and grassy areas.  I knew it had to be flowers which it turned out are called "Snow In Summer", PERFECTLY named!  There wasn't anyone around but people came out of nowhere and everywhere to help us dock the boat (our very first time).

Rock Island Boat House ~ Door County WI

We could dock inside or outside of the finger dock.  Inside looked narrow and shallow so Dave aimed for the outside.  Paul, the Harbor Master, motioned him inside saying there were 7 feet of water.  Our draft is 5'3".  We went inside and Dave mastered it as though he'd been doing it for years.  Paul was a sweetheart, friendly and knowledgeable.  He informed us that we were the first sailboat of the season.  It was a cold spring in Door County.

The island was formerly owned by Chester Thordarson, the man who invented the transformer.  His children sold the Island to the State of WI after his death. Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Island_(Wisconsin) to learn more about this fascinating man.

Rock Island Light

We went on a 4 mile walk around the Island, visiting the beach, the lighthouse and the burial site of Chester Thordarson, a humble resting spot for someone of such importance.  I suppose it was his wish to be buried on his beloved island.

The island is banked by round white rocks.  The south facing beach was sandy, the North facing side was cliffs.  Thordarson brought the beautiful snow in the summer 'Cerastium tomentosum' to the island.  I want this growing in my gardens.

Snow in Summer

The island was peaceful and quiet.  There were lots of people camping.  Bathrooms available but no showers. We plan to visit again.  Thanks to Dan Branson for recommending this "must see" stop.

Musing for the day:

How to start the motor
o Key in, lever in at Nuetral
o Push to align 1st
o Synchronize by moving lever forward and back a couple times
o Turn key to "heat", hold 5-10 seconds, light comes on
o Turn key to start, engine starts
o Walk back to make sure water is pumping out the back

Left Escanaba @ 2:06
Arrived Rock Island @ 6:50
4 hours 45 min on engine power

And, We're Off!!!

Our trip to deliver Mystic from Escanaba, MI to Knife River, MN begins on Sunday 6/23/13, at 12:07 pm when we left Stillwater for the 6.5 hour drive to MI.  We'd hoped to leave Stillwater by 10:00 am but I was up most of the night suffering with food poisoning.  I haven't been that sick in a long time.  It was not the greatest way to start our trip.  I was feeling better by the time we left but I was worried about dehydration.

The truck is packed.  Our friend, Chris, could not make the trip with us so we are able to spread out.  We remembered our passports, money, medications, and our inspirational bracelets; B~Strong in support of my friend Bobbette Clapsaddle who is fighting breast cancer and inspires me when I am challenged; Fight Against Violence in memory of our friend Adam who followed his dream panning for gold before his life was taken by violence, and Seabands to help us with motion sickness.  Dave struggled with whether or not to bring the rather large whisker pole.  I voted "yes"; we brought it.  Long drive ahead...I do love Lake MI and Esky (Escanaba).

We arrived in Esky late afternoon.  Dave brought me to the dock so see Mystic in the water.  We unloaded the truck and then went for a run along the harbor.  It's beautiful in Escanaba.  The waterfront park has a great running/biking path.  We enjoyed it.  Then we slept, on the boat, comfortable; we swayed and rocked to sleep.  Dave chose the wide port berth.  When the table is lowered it becomes a double bed.  We stacked the cabin cushions with the cockpit cushions and created quite the comfy sleeping space.  Excitement was building!

Vinette Boat Works Waterfront

 

Musings:  I lie in our bunk with thoughts running through my head...Sheet ~ line leading from foresail and boom, controls sail back and forth. Halyard ~ raises main or foresail. Vocabulary words!  Dave knows what everything is called. I know what most things look like and, most of the time, I know what they do.



Sunset at Sand Point Lighthouse ~ Escanaba, MI