St. Clair Michigan

We left Milliken State Park Marina in Detroit bright and early, moving north on the Detroit River toward Lake St Clair. It was overcast with light showers by the time we made it to the lake. The channel was well marked and busy with traffic. The crossing was a good 20 miles long in wind and waves that kept our focus on counting each marker as we passed. Lake St. Clair is as big as Lake Okeechobee and just as shallow in some places. Our Cruising Guide warned us that it is easy to get caught on any one of the sand bars sitting just outside the channel. We checked our position on the chart often as we made the crossing.

A steady rain began after the first mile or two. About midway across, we passed a huge Coast Guard cutter plowing it's way south. The north side of the lake had beautiful sandy beaches and islands. Fishing boats dotted the water in every direction. It took about three hours to make it to the St. Clair River. Conditions improved greatly there. The wind was blocked and the waves were reduced in the narrow channel. We were soaked but we put our rain tarp up to help with visibility and comfort as soon as it was safe to do so. 

Leaving Detroit with Osimo

Aretha Franklin Amphitheater

Mosque Ruins

Nancy Brown Peace Carillon Tower

Dossin Great Lakes Museum

William Livingston Memorial Light

Canadian Great Lakes Ship

Windmill Point Lighthouse

Private Conservatory on Lake St Clair

Dramatic passing

Peche Island Range

Beautiful Canadian Church along the Detroit River

We had reserved slips at the St. Clair City Boat Harbor that is just off the Detroit River. To get to the marina, we'd have to go under a lift bridge and up the beautiful Pine River. We needed to arrive by 6:00 pm in order to get under that bridge, or else we'd have to wait a half hour for the next opening in a current that would like to send us back to Detroit. At 10 minutes to 6:00, Dave called ahead and asked if the bridge tender would wait for us. We were told to hurry. We arrived at 3 minutes after 6:00 and were relieved to be allowed through. The Pine River is lined with boat slips along both sides. Only two boats were tied up when we passed by but these City docks are full with boats rafted two deep during the St. Clair River Classic Regatta each summer. We'd missed the event by only a few days which was a good thing because there may not have been room for two transients during the regatta.

As we pulled into our slip, several boaters ran out in the rain to grab our lines. We were tired and hungry. The only restaurant open was Murphy Inn which sits just across from the marina. We walked over the lift bridge and along Pine River with Bob and Sue and a couple we met at the docks. It was pizza night at Murphy's, but the wait was over an hour, so we settled for fish tacos. The Restaurant/Inn was built in 1836 as a boarding house and completely restored into the restaurant and inn. There are seven vintage guest rooms with antiques and private baths. It is beautifully furnished. We watched as locals streamed in for take out all night long, a testament to how popular this place was. The food was fabulous. 

Mystic and Osimo in St Clair, MI

Murphy Inn

It was dark by the time we got back to Mystic; which equates to bedtime in our cruising world. Early the next morning we set off on a walk to explore St Clair in the daylight. We had time to spare since Bob and Sue had things to take care of and wanted to leave a bit later. We meandered through the beautiful St. Clair parks with bronze statues and gardens. We tried to get a cup of coffee at Dunkin Donuts but the door was locked. A sign disappointed us with the message, "drive through only, no walk ups".  Looking for other options, we headed up main street which runs parallel to the river. We stumbled upon Coney Island, a small diner that served breakfast. We enjoyed a delicious omelette with our hot coffee. On our way back, we passed Sue who was looking for the post office. 

Mosaic blocks depicting the history of St. Clair shipping.

Pine River View from the Liftbridge

Coney Island

St. Clair City Boat Harbor Mural

We'd made plans to leave at the 9:30 bridge opening but we weren't quite ready. It turned out okay because a huge work barge went through at that time. It would have been interesting navigating in the very narrow channel alongside a big vessel. We were ready for the 10:00 opening and entered the St. Clair River, heading north bound against the strong river current. Our next stop will be Lexington Michigan. We are making steady progress now.