The Adventure Continues

The trip to Cheboygan was completed without significant stress on the captain (that's me) or crew (that would be Rick Gillig who has kindly offered to do this each year) -- but the first mate (that would be Sophie) was mostly NOT a happy camper.

We left Charlevoix with the 10:30 bridge, only two boats going out -- but a large DNR vessel decided he had to rush into Round Lake from Michigan and at an unreasonable speed created quite a wash in the narrow channel.  The sailboat just ahead of us took quite a beating, and we bounced and bobbed around for easily five minutes.  That was Sophie's first indication that this wasn't going to be her idea of how to spend a day.

Heading north towards Greys Reef (the turning point for the shipping lanes from the Straits to head south to Chicago), we were protected by the coast from the easterly winds which were steady at 10 to 12 knots.  But, once we reached Sturgeon Bay, the protection disappeared and we met quartering waves of about 4 feet as we passed over increasingly shallow water.  The short cut by an abandoned light house saves a good amount of time, but often results in choppy water.  Turning east toward the bridge, I expected good size white caps -- was pleasantly surprised by relatively quiet waters.  It's a little over 15 miles to the bridge from the turn -- and it took Sophie half of that distance to finally realize that the noise, rolling, and bouncing of the last hour had diminished considerably.  So, up on the forward bunk and sleep was her modus operandi until we arrived at the Cheboygan River red mark.

Until we passed by Mackinaw City and the island, we saw very little other boat traffic -- only one freighter headed toward the Wisconsin shore.  At Mackinaw there were the requisite ferries roaring back and forth to the island, and some pleasure craft out on what had turned into a beautiful day.

Slowed down, touched base with Duncan Bay -- received a slip assignment -- and proudly brought Sonador into her home for the next ten days or more.  Met at the slip by Jo Ellen Schneider, Sue Durchslag, and Rick's neighbor Bob who kindly shuttled my car over from Charlevoix.  BD arrived a few minutes later, and after a celebratory beer in the stern, my Cheboygan friends went home.  I joined a cook out on shore which was already in progress -- the usual suspects (Sue and Mel, Jo and Ron, Sheryl and Heart) who will be coming to the North Channel over the summer.

I'll miss Charlevoix and my friends there -- but am looking forward to the continued adventures.