Escanaba Michigan

July 25 - 26, 2023

We left Cedar River late morning on day two of our north Green Bay Loop cruise. Favorable winds allowed us to let the jib out two hours into our journey. We added the main soon after and continued under full sail all the way to the Escanaba entrance channel. Everything was in our favor for an afternoon of exceptional sailing. It was easy getting into the harbor and finding our slips. We've been to Escanaba several times before after purchasing Mystic at Vinette Boat works in 2012. This is our first visit to the marina in our boat though.

Escanaba Entry Channel

Escanaba sits along Little Bay De Noc

The slips at Escanaba are exceptionally wide. A third boat could easily fit between Mystic and Shoo Fly. After checking in at the marina, we walked into town with Dan & Nena, making a stop at St Vinny's thrift store. We passed a couple enjoying lunch in their Jeep. A seagull sat on their hood begging for handouts. We laughed with them at the sight of it. It was a long, hot walk but it felt good to move after our day on the water! We cooled off in Mystic's cockpit with cold beer, bean dip and chips then watched the sun set through the cloudy sky. The Canadian fires are still effecting our air quality keeping the haze hanging over us.

Shoo Fly and Mystic at Escanaba Marina

Mystic & Shoo Fly with room to spare

Mystic in her wide berth at Escanaba
With Our Gold Looper Flag Flying

Lunch time in Escanaba, begging Seagull.

The bathrooms were a short walk to the marina office building. On my way there, I noticed a muskrat meandering along the rocks. Fascinated by it's confidence, I followed until it slipped into the water and crossed to the park side. As I watched him move easily through the water, I was surprised to hear someone playing a saxophone over on the point. The haunting music carried across the water.

Docks at Escanaba

We woke to overcast skies and heavy humidity but no rain as forecasted. We'd booked a two day stay in Escanaba so Dave and I  went on a soggy run to Park Point. The Mooney's joined us for a walk to the point after breakfast. As we passed over the Bath House Road bridge we saw lots of police, both on land and in the water. Luckily, they were only conducting dive training. When we reached the point, a sailboat was coming in the channel. They were in some pretty rough conditions and had to fight their way between the entry channel markers. We waved at them and encouraged them forward into the calm waters.

We headed into town for provisions at the grocery store and farmers market. The Escanaba City Band had a concert in the park at 5:00. It was within walking distance. We were surprised to see how well attended it was. The City Band put on a great concert! They played big band favorites but also popular oldies in mash ups including Motown and Country. We ran into the sailing couple we saw coming in while we were walking to the point. They told us they'd just come from Fayette which is our next stop. They're on the same Green Bay Loop as us only they are going counter clockwise. After the concert, I made chicken masala for dinner and we sat in Mystic's cockpit and chatted about our busy day. We calculated that we put in 15 total miles in one day of walking around Escanaba! 

Escanaba Amphitheater City Band Concert

Across the dock from us the power boat Freedom raised their gold looper flag. Mystic was wearing the gold as soon as we got into port. The Looper Flag is a beacon of comradery that brings us together. We chatted with them a bit and realized that they know Loopers Kathy & John on Free spirit, and Dean & Jan on Blue Barnacle. The cruising community and the America's Great Loop Cruising Association, (AGLCA) are part of a small close knit world.

Dan and Nena met a sailor named Marilyn at the docks. She and her husband, Glendon, own a Tartan 41. They'd been sailing Green Bay for more than 70 years. Marilyn was full of knowledge and history. She mentioned that there are so many places that are uncharted on Green Bay that local knowledge was often important to safe passages. We definitely agreed with that! 

When we returned the bathroom key we found that the bushes around the office were covered with spider webs. The morning dew had left mist over them and the water droplets had captured the light. It was really cool but also a bit alarming. With all those webs there must have been a whole lot of spiders too!

Dave taking photo of spider webs

We're headed for Fayette next, very excited to experience the ghost town tucked into the curve of the top of Green Bay on Big Bay De Noc. From what we hear, it is a hidden gem!

Beth Aboard Mystic at Escanaba

Mystic at Escanaba Marina