Huron Bay to Houghton

Wednesday, July 3, 2013 

It's my birthday and Dave wrote "Happy Birthday" at the top of our ships log. I feel so lucky to be experiencing this life with him. He wakes me with a cup of hot coffee along with peanut butter smeared wafer cookies drizzled with honey. It's my birthday breakfast. I remembered that we had packed evaporated milk so we had milk for our coffee too. Dave wants to get on our way early to get to Houghton were we can get showers (another birthday gift for me). We've been to Houghton before with the kids on a snowboarding trip. It will be very different for us to explore Houghton on a sailboat.

Weather conditions on the Great Lakes are often extreme. The cold water keeps the temperatures low even in the summer. We can't believe it's July and still so chilly in the morning. Luckily it warms up soon after the sun rises. Our days are long; we're working toward our next destination from sunrise to sunset. It doesn't get dark until about 10:30 pm which makes it difficult to get to sleep before 11:00.  We get only about six hours of sleep, so we are very tired. 

Bundled up on July 3, 2013

Dave started our second pot of coffee as we prepared to depart. Right away, it smelled different but we couldn't figure out why. We went about preparing to leave the anchorage. Dave commented that the coffee hadn't started to perk yet, which seemed odd.  I stood in the cockpit, ready to put the motor in gear as Dave raised the anchor and glanced at that pot one more time. Suddenly, it hit me. I yelled to Dave, "Did you put water in the pot?" His reaction told me all I needed to know. I jumped below, grabbed the pot and ran it under the faucet. Once it was cool, I added water before placing it on the burner to perk. Back on deck, I looked in Dave's direction and smiled. Disaster averted, no harm done and we'll finally got another cup of coffee.


Abandoned Light
Eastern Entrance to the Keweenaw Waterway

We entered the Keweenaw canal and the temperature rose a lot. It is very sheltered with beautiful homes, some very big and some very tiny. We enjoyed the view as we made our way along the canal.  Our first stop in Houghton was the gas dock at the local marina. Two power boats cut the line in front of us. The dock master was very friendly and helpful but we decided to stay at the free city pier on the other side of the waterway. We had to call the local police to report our arrival and intent to stay overnight. It was that easy. The Houghton city pier is free.


Eastern Shore of the Keweenaw Peninsular

Quaint Cottage

Barn nestled on the Portage River

Festive Holiday Dock

Crossing the Keweenaw Waterway

It was a beautiful, sunny day. We went for a 6 mile run along the waterfront path. It felt so good to move. This was our first run in 11 days. We took our second shower of the entire trip at the park nearby. It cost a quarter for four minutes. I paid $1.25 for a 20 minute shower which was worth every penny. Dave paid 25 cents; that's a four minute shower! We went to the Librewlery Brewpub to celebrate my birthday. The food, Ahi tuna and a veggie burger with sweet potato fries, was fabulous. Their Brown ale, IPA, and Stout were all excellent. 

The Librewlry Pub, Houghton, MI

We walked through town looking for supplies and were surprised to see most of the stores were closed for the 4th of July holiday.  Later, in the evening, we visited the Keweenaw Brewing Company for a final toast choosing the Widow Maker Black IPA and the Lift Bridge Brown. Back at the boat we settled in at the dock as the sounds of town filled the air and the sun set on my birthday. There was no cake today, so Dave owes me cake!

Keweenaw Brewing Company ~ $2.50 per glass

Waterfront mural ~ Houghton, MI

Artistic fence ~ Houghton, MI

We plan to keep an eye on the weather for tomorrow's run to Ontonagon. It may be too rough to leave. We will spend an extra day in Houghton if we have to; or, we can make our way 15 miles through the Keweenaw and anchor at the mouth of the canal until the weather clears.

Mystic tied up along city dock, Houghton, MI

Musings:

• Engine hours 374.8
• Garmin reads:  38.6 miles traveled today, 5 hours and 34 minutes
• My first experience showering in a park
• Discovered that I have sunburned lips - adding SPF to chapstick, apply liberally
• Changed tomorrows course to Ontonagon, MI.  Hoping for fireworks!