As luck would have it, we found another bird nest on Mystic this spring. Dave noticed a bunch of debris and bird poop in our cockpit. The only logical place for a nest was inside our boom which is where we found a nearly completed, rather large nest, tucked deep inside, almost out of our reach. The starling couple that was feverishly trying to finish their new home, were not happy with us for removing their attempts at setting up housekeeping. They hadn't laid eggs yet, so we dodged last year's bullet of having to raise a baby!
We thought our bird troubles were over until two days later when we realized the tenacious couple were now trying to enter our boom at the mast. The tiny opening didn't seem big enough for a starling to fit through but they definitely were in full construction mode. We stuffed a plastic bag in the hole and wrapped a bright red life jacket over the top of the boom to discourage them. They sat on our neighbors boat, (which happens to have an open ended boom on it as well), and screeched at us in anger. This became annoying but we chuckled at the irony of our Marina being named "Nestegg".
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| Starling screeching at us from next door |
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| Starling hovering over the end of our boom |
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| Memorial Day Reflection |
We walked over the interstate bridge to Menomonie, Michigan for an emotional Memorial Day service. A small group of Veterans, scouts and half a dozen motorcycle riders marched from the band shell next to Menominee Marina to Veterans Memorial Park just a few blocks away. We watched a beautiful ceremony of remembrance, finding comfort in honoring those who were lost, fighting for America. A soldier carried a wreath out into the bay to honor those who died serving our country on the water. This along with taps and a gun salute brought me to tears.
Mystic is one of a dozen boats left on the hard at Nestegg Marine. Sitting behind us is a Bayliner named Bob Tale. We know this boat from our Great Loop adventure. We met Paul and Jean at Hoppy's along the Mississippi in 2016. So far, we haven't run into them but we hope to reconnect before they leave the marina.
There is only one boat in front of us set to splash on May 30th. We've been assigned to Slip 6 on Stephenson Island. Our plan was to leave Marinette right after launching to cruise Canada, but things are on hold while we figure out life issues. Leah, the marina manager, has been wonderful and accommodating. She knows it is possible that we will be here again this summer.
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| Mark guiding Mystic to the well |
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| That moment when your boat is suspended in the air... |
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| Splash! |
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| Season 2023 begins |
Good Old Boat magazine posted a meme about the feeling you get when you see your boat suspended in the air in the sling. It is absolutely heart stopping! Our launch went well though. Mystic was settled in her slip by 1:00. When we left the launch well and approached the end of slip #6, the current caught our stern and pushed us down river. The rubber bumper on the corner of the dock was missing. The metal bracket holding the dock together gauged our starboard hull as we slid past, putting a long deep scratch along Mystic's starboard side. Our new neighbors Dan and Nina were waiting to grab our lines. They told us they had the same experience when they docked their boat Shoo Fly in the slip next to us. We are disappointed by this. Luckily, Dave can repair the gash. Dan spoke to Leah and requested Nestegg purchase new corners to replace those that are missing throughout the docks. We will assist with installing them in order to protect against damage in the future.
With Mystic settled in her slip, we gathered the last of our things and hit the road. We will return in a few days and bring her sails. Just maybe, we'll get out on the bay for a sail soon.
