Houghton to Ontonagon

Thursday, July 4, 2013 

We are awakened by the sound of spray hitting the boat. I mumbled, "What is that?" Dave answered, "Sprinkler system." We are being blasted in a rhythmic pattern which is a very strange sound to wake up to.  

We decide to take a walk to look for breakfast before leaving but quickly realize that nothing is open in this town.  It's the July 4th holiday. It is our 26th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary to us!!!
 

Happy Anniversary ~ July 4, 2013

It was a beautiful, clear blue sky kind of morning. We prepare Mystic for our departure and call ahead to the bridge tender to request passage under the Lift Bridge. This bridge is just like the one back home in Stillwater. Another sailboat, Sara Belle, made the passage under the bridge just in front of us. I took some great photos of it.


Approaching the Houghton Lift bridge along with Sara Belle



Houghton Lift Bridge

After clearing the bridge, we continued west on the Keweenaw Waterway enjoying the views of beautiful homes and farms that we pass. Many have American flags on display in celebration of Independence day. It is hot tucked in the waterway so we have shed a few layers of clothing. It feels good to be warm finally. Approximately three miles west of the Houghton bridge we found a beautiful anchorage with a campground and playground. We make not that if we pass this way again, it would be a safe harbor option.

Cute little place along the Western Keweenaw Waterway

Round House

Tranquility ~ Peace

As we leave the Keweenaw and enter Lake Superior, we are met by a chilly 10 mph southwest breeze. The lake is dotted with little white cresting waves. We'll be passing two little towns on the way to Ontonagon today; Red Ridge then Freda. Often the only sign of a town is the cell tower rising above the horizon. It should take us about 7 hours to cover the 50 mile distance. 

Western Entrance Light Keweenaw Waterway

As we approached the Ontonagon River entry we could see a defined delineation between beautiful blue/green water and caramel brown water.  I wasn't sure what I was looking at but Dave explained it was silt from the river.  It was a strange and fascinating sight.


Entrance to the Ontonagon River

 
We worked our way up the river noticing young men swimming across the channel in front of us. They climbed the rock retaining wall and one of the boys yelled to me, "Hey, take our picture." It brought a smile to our faces. 


As soon as we approached the Ontonagon Village Marina Harbor our depth finder began beeping wildly. The channel into the marina harbor was shallow and only about 12 feet wide. Dave carefully made his way between the red and green markers. We felt the tiniest bump as we slid along the bottom of the river but we made it through. As we approached the fuel dock the depth finder dropped to 5 feet. I was sure that it was too shallow for our 5'3" draft but we were still floating. We tied off at the end of the dock and Dave went to the office to seek assistance. Like many docks we have visited, this one had a contact number to request the Harbor Master, but no one is on site. Dave left a message and we moved Mystic to the closest slip, which happened to be right next to a huge steel boat. Ontonagon was a sleepy little stop for us. We were able to get off the boat and explore but there was little to do on this mid summer holiday visit. Tomorrow we make the run to the Apostles. We are getting close to home. Bittersweet excitement is growing.

Steel Vessel ~ Ontonagon, MI

Greig's Taxidermy & Tackle ~ Ontonagon, MI