Beaver Island Michigan

September 21, 2016

It was very calm at the St. Ignace marina when we woke from our long slumber. We were excited to get going and slide under the great Mackinac bridge into Lake Michigan, our third Great Lake. There were angry storms south of Beaver Island, where we wanted to go, but we decided to go for it anyway. A north wind kept those storms below us, the sky cleared and we were actually hot for the first time in many days.

Mackinac Bridge

Mackinac Bridge view from the waterway

Slipping under the Mackinac

Leaving the Mackinac in our wake

We had to make a slight left after passing the White Shoal Lighthouse. The shift added just a little chill to the air. We were surprised to see a sailboat coming toward us from the west, eventually rounding Grey’s Reef Lighthouse before us. This gave me a photo opportunity. The captain made a wide birth around the light and we snuck in between.

White Shoal Lighthouse

Grey's Reef Lighthouse

One of few sailboats we've encountered

Sailboat rounding Grey's Reef Lighthouse

The day was lovely! We were able to use the autopilot and move around the boat a bit. We experience no dramatic weather during the almost eight hour cruise. We arrived at Beaver Island at 5:00 and anchored in Paradise Bay. Another boat was already bobbing on it’s chain. I made dinner and tried my hand at galley apple crisp. Dave installed our invertor which will allow us to use regular household hookup on 12 volt batteries. We’ll need this to power up our laptop for Navigation from here to Chicago. In anticipation of thunderstorms we put up our rain tarp. We will be lucky if it passes us by. I know we will sleep better if it does. It is quiet and dark here at our anchorage; almost eerie, after so many noisy, bouncy nights. Hopefully this is not the calm before the storm!

Western MI University Paradise Bay Beaver Island, MI

Beaver Island has a lot of history. There were so many opportunities for photos so, I shot a lot! We walked through town, end to end and were fascinated by the rich culture!

Dave's work friends will love this!

Markers located all over town

Old Mormon Printing House

Beaver Island Historical Museum Old Mormon Print House

Beaver Island Jail Built 1910 Burned 1931

Daddy Frank's Closed of course

The Irish connection

St. James Yacht Club Prop

King Strang History

Beaver Island Light

Dave on the thinking bench

Picture of a post card!

Beaver Island Tiny Garden

We tied up at the dock on our second night at Beaver Island. We watched as sailboat Peregrine came into port. The owner and crew were delivering the newly purchased 41 foot Kings Legend from Bayfield, Wisconsin to Milwaukee. They were pretty wiped out from the day but agreed to meet us at the Shamrock for a beer and sailing lore! Judy Cook and Bill Jelinek are part of the crew and plan to be in the Bahamas this winter. They gave us their contact information and promised to show us the ropes.

Mystic at Beaver Island Municipal Dock

Beaver Island Ferries

We met the cutest couple at the Shamrock, Angelina and Mike, who were on the island to celebrate Angelina’s 36th birthday told us they are proud parents of an adorable set of twins, a boy and a girl. They were sitting at a table but Angelina came boldly over to our large group to “break the ice!” She asked us a riddle; “What can’t you hold for 10 minutes even though it’s lighter than a feather?” Answer: your breath. One of the crew from Peregrine knew the answer so she went for a harder one; “What turns white when it is dirty?” Answer: a chalkboard. They were a delight to chat with and once they heard we have the blog, they asked that we include the story of meeting them. Too bad I forgot to take their photo!

We enjoyed our visit to Beaver Island, staying for three nights due to unfavorable weather. We tried to leave for Leland on Friday, September 22nd but had to turn back after five miles of me puking overboard and Dave fighting the wind and waves.

Back at Paradise Bay, on the hook with dinner cooking, we recover quickly. It’s very nice tucked back out of the wind. We hope to get up before sunrise and make it across the lake to the eastern shore to hide from the east wind expected tomorrow. If we can make it, the trip to Chicago can continue with short or long hops down the coastline.

Note: My new "go to" snack is Ginger Snaps and I am now wearing my Sea Band bracelets with the hope that they help me with seasickness. For the record...I'm also wearing my B~Strong bracelet from Bobbette Barber Clapsaddle! I've had it on since we launched! It is my reminder to "dig deep" when I need to! I am stronger than I realize!