Adventures of Sonador

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Pictures from DeTourG

Great Lakes Steamer passing the docks at DeTour

Fourth of July Parade

Everyone, and I mean everyone, gets into the spirit!

Won't be needed until winter but still parading on the 4th

Left Charlevoix on Saturday the 29th of June. The fog out on Lake Michigan was very dense, and although I have a good radar I must admit to being on edge for most of the trip north to Greys Reef. With good reason, I contacted some boats showing on my radar told them course and speed -- and not thirty minutes later glanced over my shoulder to see a large cruiser bearing down on my stern at full speed. Several, and I mean several. blasts of my horn finally got his attention. As he sped by me, I turned 360 circle away from him to avoid an overly large wake and to just get away.

Crept through the abandoned light house passage, much slower than normal -- I always transit this area depending on GPS so I shouldn't have been quite so cautious -- guess I was just un-nerved.

Into bright sun shine, and a good look at the Mackinaw Bridge twelve miles to the east. Finally docking for the next two nights in Straits State Marina. Dinner the first night with Barb and Dave on Hallelujah. Second night, Chuck and JoAnne from Moku Hale drove up from Cheboygan for drinks on Sonador and dinner at Audies.

Arrived in Detour, MI on the first -- and staying for today's retro parade -- think every conveyance known to man from old cars, to firetrucks, to tractors, to little red wagons, horses, and of course kids on tricycles. Later this evening, after it begins to grow dark at 10 p.m. there will be fireworks.

I hope to be able to post some pictures this afternoon.

Tomorrow, I'm heading north and east into the North Channel and Canadian waters. I plan to meet up with fellow boaters in Turnbull Island. One of the nicer, quiet anchorages this end of the Channel. Then gradually make my way east along the Whalesback, to Eagle Island, maybe the Benjamins, and finally into Gore Bay by around the 18th of July.

That will be time for replenishing food stock, getting hot showers, and doing laundry before making my way slowly back toward Turnbull for the Wilderness Rally at the end of the month.

Feeling great, a little sore sometimes but that's to be expected. Sophie is slowing down, but still game for short walks and exploring new territory. Guess we are both getting a little older -- not wiser necessarily, but certainly older.

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Beginning Another Summer of Boating

Summer has officially begun "up north"-- it is after the 21st of June, and we've had two straight days of sunshine and warmer weather. In addition, I finally moved on the boat which is no small task given the amount of stuff I had to pack away.

I'm hoping to have all the needed repairs to Sonador done by the middle of the week, and then will look for a weather window to begin moving east toward the North Channel. Right now, the dinghy won't retain air on one side -- let's hope it is the valve; I have a grounding issue with my electric outlets on the boat -- critical because my Keurig won't work and I won't be able to have my morning cup of joe; and, the head has to be rebuilt. Now, I can actually do one of those tasks -- but I'm not gonna 'cause it's the last one!

Lots of friends here in Charlevoix -- boaters passing through on their way to a summer of cruising as well as land based friends I've met over the years. So passing the time is filled with long walks, good books, and leisurely happy hours -- what could be better?