Escanaba to Rock Island, Door County, Wisconsin

Monday, June 24, 2013 

We slept GREAT last night.  Breakfast at the Family Inn in Escanaba, good ole home cooked food, fast and abundant.  Time to get organized, then make a last minute run to the grocery store.  Hoping to set sail mid-day.

Minneapolis Shoal Light

The day got away from us, we left Vinette around 2 pm which was much later than we hoped.  Dan, his brother Jeff and the yard worker Tom helped us launch from the dock after lashing the dinghy to the bow.  They directed Dave out of the harbor, "Keep the boathouse directly behind you.  If you can see the South wall, you are too far South; if you can see the North wall you are too far North."  Dan mentioned that Mystic pulls to the port side when in reverse.  Dave nodded acknowledgement.

We had hoped to leave Escanaba under sail but we motored 4.5 hours into a stong SW wind.  Originally we thought we'd aim for Jackson Harbor on Washington Island but Dan convinced us that "Rock Island is a must see!" We arrived at Rock Island at 6:50 pm.  There were beautiful rock buildings on a white rock beach.  Large patches of white dotted the shoreline, over rocks and grassy areas.  I knew it had to be flowers which it turned out are called "Snow In Summer", PERFECTLY named!  There wasn't anyone around but people came out of nowhere and everywhere to help us dock the boat (our very first time).

Rock Island Boat House ~ Door County WI

We could dock inside or outside of the finger dock.  Inside looked narrow and shallow so Dave aimed for the outside.  Paul, the Harbor Master, motioned him inside saying there were 7 feet of water.  Our draft is 5'3".  We went inside and Dave mastered it as though he'd been doing it for years.  Paul was a sweetheart, friendly and knowledgeable.  He informed us that we were the first sailboat of the season.  It was a cold spring in Door County.

The island was formerly owned by Chester Thordarson, the man who invented the transformer.  His children sold the Island to the State of WI after his death. Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Island_(Wisconsin) to learn more about this fascinating man.

Rock Island Light

We went on a 4 mile walk around the Island, visiting the beach, the lighthouse and the burial site of Chester Thordarson, a humble resting spot for someone of such importance.  I suppose it was his wish to be buried on his beloved island.

The island is banked by round white rocks.  The south facing beach was sandy, the North facing side was cliffs.  Thordarson brought the beautiful snow in the summer 'Cerastium tomentosum' to the island.  I want this growing in my gardens.

Snow in Summer

The island was peaceful and quiet.  There were lots of people camping.  Bathrooms available but no showers. We plan to visit again.  Thanks to Dan Branson for recommending this "must see" stop.

Musing for the day:

How to start the motor
o Key in, lever in at Nuetral
o Push to align 1st
o Synchronize by moving lever forward and back a couple times
o Turn key to "heat", hold 5-10 seconds, light comes on
o Turn key to start, engine starts
o Walk back to make sure water is pumping out the back

Left Escanaba @ 2:06
Arrived Rock Island @ 6:50
4 hours 45 min on engine power

And, We're Off!!!

Our trip to deliver Mystic from Escanaba, MI to Knife River, MN begins on Sunday 6/23/13, at 12:07 pm when we left Stillwater for the 6.5 hour drive to MI.  We'd hoped to leave Stillwater by 10:00 am but I was up most of the night suffering with food poisoning.  I haven't been that sick in a long time.  It was not the greatest way to start our trip.  I was feeling better by the time we left but I was worried about dehydration.

The truck is packed.  Our friend, Chris, could not make the trip with us so we are able to spread out.  We remembered our passports, money, medications, and our inspirational bracelets; B~Strong in support of my friend Bobbette Clapsaddle who is fighting breast cancer and inspires me when I am challenged; Fight Against Violence in memory of our friend Adam who followed his dream panning for gold before his life was taken by violence, and Seabands to help us with motion sickness.  Dave struggled with whether or not to bring the rather large whisker pole.  I voted "yes"; we brought it.  Long drive ahead...I do love Lake MI and Esky (Escanaba).

We arrived in Esky late afternoon.  Dave brought me to the dock so see Mystic in the water.  We unloaded the truck and then went for a run along the harbor.  It's beautiful in Escanaba.  The waterfront park has a great running/biking path.  We enjoyed it.  Then we slept, on the boat, comfortable; we swayed and rocked to sleep.  Dave chose the wide port berth.  When the table is lowered it becomes a double bed.  We stacked the cabin cushions with the cockpit cushions and created quite the comfy sleeping space.  Excitement was building!

Vinette Boat Works Waterfront

 

Musings:  I lie in our bunk with thoughts running through my head...Sheet ~ line leading from foresail and boom, controls sail back and forth. Halyard ~ raises main or foresail. Vocabulary words!  Dave knows what everything is called. I know what most things look like and, most of the time, I know what they do.



Sunset at Sand Point Lighthouse ~ Escanaba, MI

Our Journey Begins

June 15, 2013

We've been waiting for this moment for such a long time and now it is upon us.  Dave is feverishly gathering  charts, making lists, planning our course and creating a general sense of adventure. Tractutus/Mystic will be launched on Wednesday, June 19th.  Dan Branson of Vinette boatworks will be available for rigging questions and maybe, for a sail.  Dan has raced Tractatus/Mystic; he knows and loves this boat.

Tractatus/Mystic out in the sunshine

Tractatus/Mystic

In the Cradle - Ready to Launch 2013

There has been a flury of activity.  Dave spent a lot of time researching charts and found a website which opens NOAA Navigational charts.  It is called OpenCPN, a free navigational software created by sailors for sailors.  It has all the capabilities of any other navigation instruments including GPS interface, course plotting, and way points.  Dave is a detailed guy.  He purchased a new 17" screen laptop to use this program.  He also, painstakingly, printed out hard copies of the charts that mark our course and placed them in a neatly bound, 3-ring binder.  I showed him how to use Photoshop to load the pages, re-size and then print.  He's becoming a computer techie in his own right.  I am blessed to be first mate and backup captain with a guy I trust without reserve.

This is not his first rodeo.  Dave's virgin cruise was back in 1981 aboard Keewatin, our 23 foot Coronado.  He planned the same way, with minute detail.  It is fascinating to read his ships log which started with the supply list.  He was planning for a 6 month journey which ended up being a two year adventure.  I laughed as I read through his provisions list.

Boston Marathon 2013

It's April; spring has been loath to arrive in MN.  We continue to suffer snowstorm after snowstorm with temps well below average.  We complain, mostly about the lack of sun, but we stick to business. Hardy folks, we are, those who live in the Great White North.

Every year, we take notice of the Boston Marathon.  Anyone who runs can understand our infatuation with the mother of all races...the ultimate goal of 'running goals'; heartbreak hill, Sweet Caroline, the fans, the finish.  This 2013 race would be like no other...this race would begin with joy and end with tragedy.  By now, everyone knows of the attack at the finish. Two bombs exploded in the fan section about a quarter mile apart injuring over 100 people and taking the lives of three innocent bystanders. This tragedy was filled with heros, rescues, courage and strength as well as incredible pain and sorrow. 

Some events leave us speechless, without words to express our emotion. Our minds and voices are filled with sadness and confusion. We try to make sense of a senseless act but we cannot articulate our pain so we cry, and some of us, we run.  

I ran for Boston tonight.  Still, I have no words...

Apostle Sea Caves Winter Hike

January is almost over.  June seems like eons away but Dave is online checking out distances from Knife River to exciting locations on Lake Superior.  We spent some time in the Apostle Islands aboard Keewatin, our 23 ft. Coronado back in the 90's with kids in tow.  It's a magical place, protected and somewhat untouched by the influence of modern day life.  The Islands are referred to as the Jewels of Lake Superior.  In the winter, the water crashes into sea caves and creates magnificent  ice caves that are a treat to view.  Dave and I have visited them twice now and each time we were in awe of natures artistic flair.

Dave thought the closest islands were 70 miles away from our slip in Knife River but discovered that it is actually only about 35 miles away.  This opens up lots of possibilities for us to fill our summer weekends.   We look forward to exploring the area aboard Mystic.  Since we have kayaks, we'll be able to check out the caves during the warm season.

It is -35 in Stillwater today.  It takes only 10 minutes to suffer frostbite on exposed skin in these temps. It's even too cold to go snowboarding.  Today is for dreaming...

Securing Dockage for 2013 Sailing Season

We just arrived home from Florida after running the Miami to Key West Ragnar Relay with Team Boner.  It was a GREAT trip; lots of nice anchorages in the Keys. We can't wait to have our boat there.

Got a call from Dave Gould at Knife River Marina.  A 40 ft. slip opened up. We put $350.00 deposit; balance due in April $2,700 total for the year.  Things are looking good for Spring.

The slip is on their center dock at the far south end; last slip on the dock.  It will be very easy to get in and out of, but a long walk from shore.

http://www.knife-river-marina.com/

By Dave Rogers

OUR NEW BOAT

Tractatus

On October 27, 2012 we became the new owners of a restored 1966 Alberg 35 saiboat named Tractatus. We purchased the boat from William Wildman, a gentleman and sailor from Escanaba, MI. We drove 6.5 hours each direction in order to seal the deal.  We sure got more than a few second glances at the 15 ft lovely spruce boom that was tethered to the top of our Expedition on the return trip.

The journey has been long but worth the distance.  Dave can count 20 plus boats that he/we looked at during our search.  In the beginning there was the Cape Dory in Afton, MN, left open to the weather. This former beauty was full of water with a four foot tree growing out of the companionway hatch. And, it was for sale; sad!  Then there was the Ericson 29 with decks so soft that the Marina wouldn't put it back in the water for fear that the mast would fall on a neighboring boat.  Dave looked at every available boat, 28 to 35 feet, that was within reasonable cost and driving distance.  We looked at boats that were beyond our means and we looked at one boat that was FREE!  Most boats would have been too much of a project boat at too high of an expense to make any sense.  Many of the boat owners we encountered had a unrealistic view of the condition and value of their vessel.  The Allied Seabreeze we visited in Bayfield is a good example.  The owner obviously loved his boat.  It was on a cradle at a small boatyard under repair for damage to the keel.  The owner offered to let us sleep on board during our visit.  We were amazed to find a unkempt, home handiman, project boat with so much crap aboard that there was no place to lay our head had we wanted to.  Sailboat people are funny people. Disclaimer:  I can say this because Dave and I are sailboat people too!

Dave took an inventory of all the new items on Tractatus.  The list (in no particular order), includes:

30 hp Nanni diesel

all new tanks and lines

water heater with pressure water

cockpit coamings
toe rail cap

standing rigging

running rigging
roller fuller
all deck fittings had balsa removed and replaced with apoxy and oversized backing plates
mast step rebuilt and strengthened
larger chainplates installed

interior completely removed to allow for new and larger engine compartment

all bulkheads strengthened and tabbed to the hull with epoxy

hull was insulated and covered with teak

new interior sunbrella upholstery
completely rewired with new main panel and batteries
new teak and holly sole
custom bowsprite with dual anchor rollers

windlass

custom bobstay

auto pilot

new tiller

exterior fireproof propane box

new gimballed propane stove and oven

bottom stripped and any voids epoxied with epoxy barrier coat and fresh bottom paint

topside allgripped

non-skid redone and cabin and deck allgripped

spruce boom replaced with aluminum boom and new main sail

new 150% roller furling jib

North Code Zero cruising spinnaker

custom wooden swim ladder

Dave was able to contact the former owner who verified all the work that was done to this Alberg.  He gave Dave more details on the history of the boat and was happy to hear of our plans to put her name back to Mystic.  He asked Dave about the price we paid for her and told him that we got one hell of a boat for the price.  We are so happy that we found Tractatus/Mystic and can call her ours.  Next spring...the fun begins!

Starboard galley with gimballed stove

Cabin Heater

Tractatus at anchor