Harbor Beach Michigan

We were on the dock in time to say goodbye to Eric and Ron on the Florida boat going east to the Erie Canal. We're headed to Harbor Beach in the direction where they'd just come from. Eric warned us that the bay was shallow. The anchorage, marina and harbor sit in front of a chemical plant. Eric and Ron anchored when they stopped at Harbor Beach and experienced a noisy night. We will be staying at the marina.

Leaving Lexington Michigan

Port Sanilac Lighthouse

Port Sanilac Lighthuse

Hitchhiker

With the temperature a chilly 65 degrees, we'd slept well, curled up under blankets for the first time in a long while. We enjoyed our morning coffee then stowed everything away and prepared to head out on Lake Huron, dropping our lines by 8:45. We had a 43 mile run from Lexington to Harbor Beach in very calm conditions. No wind meant no sails and motoring for six hours. 

The days are getting shorter and we are certain our time with Bob and Sue is coming to an end. Mystic and Osimo have been together since Waterford, NY; we've spent 6 weeks buddy boating. We were with them for the entire Erie Canal, Lake Erie and Lake Huron. They plan to stop in Tawas, Michigan to spend time with their children and grandchildren. We are on a mission to cross our wake so we will continue onward. We wish we had more time to make the stop with them; we're just not ready to say farewell. 

We'd called ahead to Harbor Beach to secure dockage and were told that the marina depths were quite shallow at only 6 feet in spots but we didn't have any trouble getting in. Before moving to our slip we fueled up with diesel for the last time on our Great Loop journey. 

Approaching the Harbor Beach breakwater

Harbor Beach Lighthouse

We noticed there are not many boats at Harbor Beach in spite of it being a very nice marina with all new wooden docks. Osimo is sitting beside us for the last time. Bob and Sue invited us to dinner in town to celebrate our friendship and our shared journey. It was a long trek on a well traveled bike path but it felt great to move. We found Smalley's, a pool bar that turned out to be very popular with the locals! I had a perch sandwich, Dave a bean burger, which we washed down with Sam Adam's Oktoberfest, a surprise treat in August! The food was fabulous! It felt bittersweet but it could have been any of the many dinners we shared with Bob and Sue. It just happened to be our last.

Cool Theatre and Library Building

Theatre and Library - Harbor Beach, MI

Smalley's Bar & Grill

On our walk back to the marina we saw a deer with 3 spotted fawns frolicking in the grass beside the trail. We passed many locals out for a jog, bike ride or a walk. Harbor beach is a lovely small town. We stopped to check out the historic buildings next to the marina. As soon as we got back to our boats we said good night. In the morning, Mystic and Osimo will split up. Bob and Sue will turn for Tawas and we will continue north to Harrisville. The marina was very quiet, the waters calm.

Anchor and Rudder at Grice House Museum

Grice House Museum

Grice House Museum

Adams School

During our stay, we'd noticed Blue Barnacle anchored just inside the south breakwater in front of the beautiful Harbor Beach Lighthouse. We met Dean and Janice in Cleveland. I sent them a Nebo message asking where they were headed next. They were going to Harrisville too so we made plans to connect the next day; delighted to know we won't be alone for long. 

Blue Barnacle at Harbor Beach Light

Blue Barnacle anchored inside the breakwater

We settled in for the night, a little sad about separating from our friends in the morning but eager to move closer in our quest to cross our wake. Like everyone we have met along the way, we are certain that we will meet Bob and Sue again one day!

Osimo and Mystic together for the last time

Swans sharing the marina overnight