Staying Put

Mystic is tucked into slip 10 on Stephenson Island, a tiny spit of land that sneaks under the interstate bridge between Marinette, Wisconsin and Menomonie, Michigan. It sounds really cool to say we're on an island, even though we're not in a exotic location. There are only about about 30 slips on our pier, 75 in the whole marina. Most boaters are only here on the weekends. It's very quiet during the week.

Mystic tucked into slip 10 at NestEgg Marine

Marinette/Menomonie sunsets are always gorgeous

Stormy skies reflecting on the River

We decided to stay put this cruising season for several reasons. One major issue is that our land home has been neglected for the past 5 years of cruising. This spring we began the overwhelming task of catching up on maintenance. It's time consuming but so rewarding to see the transformation after elbow grease and fresh paint have been applied.

Newly painted porch

In addition to house projects, we have many boat projects that we've put off while we've been on the move. Dave finally installed the new drains in the aft section of Mystic where standing water collects. We replaced worn and aging halyards and lines. Last year we applied eight coats of varnish to our brightwork.  We'll add a couple more coats to keep up that gorgeous shine we strive for. Our main hatch developed a soft spot which Dave patched with epoxy and teak laminate. In addition, he will add solid mahogany strips to the top of the hatch for protection. It will  give the hatch a traditional look that matches our interior doors which were replaced after our water intrusion incident in 2020.

Patch will be covered by a new top

Hatch will match these doors

Drilling the hole for new drains, YIKES!

Ready for drain

Looking nice and neat, a place for water to go

Hoping the drains will keep water from collecting

Staying in one place allowed us to explore the area. We are directly across the bay from Door County and there are many harbors and islands for us to visit. Mystic is familiar with Door County. At one time she was a charter boat based out of Sister Bay. We bought Mystic in Escanaba, Michigan, north of here. These waters are home to her.

Our marina is a small community that makes it easy for us to meet everyone. Our dock is our neighborhood! We share pot luck meals under the picnic shelter and tell our sailing stories late into the night. We've gotten to know Marinette and Menomonie quite well on our walks, bike rides and road trips. Brother's Three is our favorite spot for Friday Fish Fry at only $5.99. It goes down well with a Ahnapee Little Soldier craft beer.

Marinette sunset

Smooth sailing

Running Wisconsin

Menomonie Michigan

Kayaking Red Arrow Point

Seagull Bar

Our plan was to cruise Canada and the Georgian Bay all summer. Canada didn't make entry easy at first and the number of Loopers has exploded, making dockage limited. It was easy to put that plan on hold until next year. It's a good thing that we stayed put! Nothing worked out the way we had hoped due to family obligations. A big chunk of summer was spent out east helping family with caregiving of my aging mom who has been struggling with health issues. We were so glad that we didn't have to leave Mystic in Canada in order to fly to Connecticut!

We'll spend as much time aboard Mystic as we can manage. Each visit lightens the stresses of every day life and fills us with peace. 

Saving Amos

We had weird weather on the dock's at Stephenson Island today. We woke to a chill in the air that warmed quickly once the sun came up. The water was dead calm until the wind built from the north, then switched to the south before settling into a gusting and uncomfortable northwest blow. With the heat and wind gusts, we didn't get much done!

We went for a walk in the afternoon. On our way out of the marina, a tiny black dog came barrelling towards us. We tried to greet him but he rushed by in obvious distress. There wasn't anyone following him so we turned back toward our dock and tried to catch up to the little guy.

He ran right down the middle of the dock like he knew where he was going. Suddenly, he stopped just before the end and turned in a full circle looking at each boat in confusion. With the water behind him and us in front, we were in a faceoff. He began running toward us but this time he stopped at our feet. It seemed like he knew we were his only chance for help. He was panting and shaking with wild eyes that mirrored his state. He looked hot and miserable, as well as very lost! It was clear that he'd been loose in the 90 degree heat for some time.

Our dock neighbor, Jeff, approached and said he thought the pup was overheating. He gathered cloths and ice water then showed us how to cool the desperate old boy behind his ears and on his feet. We tried to give him water but he refused and continued to paint heavily. We were very concerned about heat stroke.

Jeff and Beth cooling Amos down

Beth offering water to Amos

Once we calmed him a bit, we wrapped him in a dry towel and headed for the animal shelter across the river in Menomonie MI. They scanned him and found that he was chipped. It didn't take long to learn his name is Amos and that he lives in Marinette. The shelter immediately called his family. Hopefully, he'll be home soon.

Jeff's quick thinking and experience saved sweet Amos who was lucky to stumble upon a bunch of boat people during his adventure. We are accustomed to noticing when things are not what they should be and taking action. 

One of the things we love about boating life is all the unusual experiences we have. There is always something new to learn or teach and folks are ready to lend a hand at all times.

At the end of our long, hot and windy day, the universe painted the sky in breathtaking color; our reward for a day well spent!

A Dove Tale

When we arrived to uncover our sailboat this spring we found squatters had set up housekeeping on a very small ledge of our cradle. A dove pair were taking turns warming two perfect eggs. Waiting for gestation to be complete would delay our already late start to the sailing season. Foul weather had put the launching of boats three weeks behind. We were eager to be in the water but would have to get in line. This influenced our decision to wait on the eggs. The way we saw it, those doves had chosen us anyway. 

Papa Dove sitting on the nest

Two perfect eggs

Interesting spot to set up housekeeping

We returned to our land home and worked on house projects while we waited for our dove babies to arrive. Research told us that gestation is 2 weeks with another 2 weeks of feeding to fledge. We didn't know, for sure, when the process began but thought we'd have babies when we got back in a week. Upon our return, we could see one egg under the parent but no baby doves. We peeked in that nest several times a day searching for a baby. Finally, I thought I saw a short tail coming out from under the adult. Indeed there was one baby in our nest. Later we'd learn that the second egg wasn't viable.

A tiny tail is peeking out from
under the right side of the adult dove

Parent spreads out to cover the baby

Baby tucked under a protective wing

We painted the bottom or our boat around the nest

At times our little charge was completely out from under the safety of the adult. We gawked at her downy baby feathers and took daily photos. We watched her get fat and evolve all week. Her flight feathers were coming in nicely. The parents fed her regurgitated seeds, a fascinating process to witness! 

Parent feeding baby

Yummy processed seeds

Baby is quite demanding

Cuddling after the meal

As the week passed, there wasn't a lot of room for everyone on that ledge anymore but the parents continued to take turns on watch. Eventually, they began leaving their youngster on her own for extended periods. They would sit on the ground and call out, trying to encourage her to fly. She was having none of that and demanded that they feed her on every visit.

Parents leave baby alone often

Big baby sits next to parent

Watching the world pass by

Getting bigger every day

It was finally our turn to launch. Our baby would have to fledge or be re-homed. I made a new nest out of mowed grass placed in a cement planter nearby. It was far more sophisticated than the doves modest abode on the ledge. We'd added a 2×4 roof to the back of the planter for shelter from the sun.

She liked to sit on the other egg

She's looking strong but still won't fledge

On Friday morning, as the marina yard awakened to the noise of the harbor hoist, Dave delicately laid a soft towel over our dove baby. He gently carried her to her new home. She didn't like the move at all and reacted by flying out of the new nest and away from us. We were thrilled to see that she could actually fly but then devastated to watch her crash land in the middle of our river canal. We couldn't reach her but mom and dad were cooing loudly, "FLY BABY, FLY!"

Suddenly our fledgling took flight again and crashed in the water within reach of Dave. He snatched her up and returned her to the planter. We breathed a deep sigh of relief that all our patience hadn't ended in tragedy. As we worked all morning on getting S/V Mystic launched, I checked on our baby. She was catching her breath in the comfort of her new home. After about four hours, she was gone.

There are hundreds of doves in Marinette. Our baby is going to blend in quite quickly! We'll never know what became of our fledgling but we gave her the best chance of survival. For that, we are at peace. We felt great about our decision to let the dove family nest before launching Mystic. It just seemed like the right thing to do. Our friend Mary Miles told us, "You two are good eggs!"

Mystic in her slip at NestEgg Marine