Back in Michigan -- but not done yet

As planned, we motored to Beef Island for a couple of nights.  The ride over was pretty easy, but there were large swells from the east that made a direct route into Beef less than desirable, so instead of an eleven mile journey I clocked a little over 15.  Sophie was happy.

The high waters of the Great Lakes make for some interesting changes to our favorite anchorages.  Beef has always had a nice sandy beach on the south east side of the island -- not this year!  In fact, there was no shore line at all conducive to walking dogs.  So, we learned to dinghy around to the other side of the island where there was a remnant of the beach and an area where Sophie could run a little.  First evening we had happy hour on BASIC BOAT with Ann and Jorma -- second evening we had dinner on CLASS ACT.

On the second afternoon, we took a long dinghy ride to Milford Haven -- at least two miles each way.  Up a long bay and onto the river that feeds the bay, weaving among the reeds and ducking beneath low branches to a landing place which had (we don't think it functions any more) a dedicated phone for clearing Canadian Customs -- in the middle of no where mind you!

On the 31st, I left Beef to head to Detour, Michigan for supplies, fuel, and pump-out.  Cleared US Customs using my NEXUS card -- but it took two attempts since the agent lost all the information just as he was about to give me my number.  Very apologetic that we had to repeat it all, but in the end I was admitted back.  YEAH!!!

SPIRIT OF ALOHA and HOME FREE were at Detour.  So we all walked to the grocery store to provision for eight days at anchor and the "Wilderness Rally" at Harbor Island.  By 1:45 p.m. I had an anchor down in Harbor Island, and soon had Sophie to shore.  SPIRIT OF ALOHA came in also, HOME FREE the next day.

By the evening of August 1st, there were enough (not that it takes all that many) of our GLCC (Great Lakes Cruising Club) boats in the harbor to allow for happy hour on shore.  And, although the Rally wasn't scheduled to begin until Wednesday the 3rd, more boats arrived each day.

Wilderness Rallies are really camp for adults.  Over the period of five nights, more than forty boats joined in -- from sail boats (30 feet to 50 feet) and power boats (28 feet to 70 feet).  From all walks of life, drawn together by a common love of the water and the beauty of the North Channel.  We had a welcoming happy hour on the 3rd. 

The next morning two of our leaders (Mel from CLASS ACT and Bill from SPIRIT OF ALOHA) cooked pancakes on shore (generators are a great invention) and everyone brought meats or fruit to share.  A local from Drummond Island came to speak to us about the history of the area, and about life on Drummond (and it's many surrounding islands) year round.  It freezes solid up here, so winter travel is on ice (even to formal celebrations like New Years).  We followed that with every boater posting their total years boating on index cards which were hung on several of the evergreens.  Turns out many participants have been boating more than 50 years!  The total for those who participated (and not everyone did) was over 2800 years!!!  That afternoon I organized a blind fold dinghy race (the rower was blind folded, the spotter gave directions) which attracted six boats.  They all seemed to enjoy themselves, but there were some real challenges to communicating -- one boat even just went in circles the whole time.  Evening saw a hot dog roast on shore again cooked by our very own chefs.

The next morning, after coffee on shore, we had a book exchange -- one does well if you leave with fewer books than you brought.  And, I succeeded --- only came back with four new books to read.  Then, Ann from BASIC BOAT led a discussion on an "Obituary of the English Language" -- a course she teaches in Montreal to aspiring poets.  Great fun.  After noon, the owners of Drummond Island Yacht Haven brought their launch over and shuttled us in three boat loads to their facility where we had our own picnic lunch followed by ice cream (now that is a real treat for boaters)  We had time to explore a little, visiting the local museum and purchasing some local produce from a farm stand.  Then, back to our boats and a later happy hour on shore.

Saturday, after coffee on shore we (and in this case, only the ladies participated) created frames for the pictures that had been taken earlier in conjunction with the "experience tree."  After lunch, Jim from HOME FREE made a very interesting presentation on computer security (passwords, security systems, etc) using a computer and TV monitor (again that generator proved very useful).  Before the potluck dinner on shore, Susan (CLASS ACT) and Ann (BASIC BOAT) piled into my dinghy with Sophie and I to explore a "trail" on the other side of the harbor.  Trail was a little bit of an exaggeration, but with another of the boaters we tromped through the woods to the other side of the island and walked the beach for a while before returning.  

Sunday morning and boats were leaving -- another good week with friends -- but time for hot showers and dockside services.  I went to Detour with HOME FREE.

Yesterday, Monday the 8th it was flat calm -- a good day for crossing Lake Huron (almost 40 miles).  So, I left Detour around 7:30 and pulled into Duncan Bay well before noon.  That's the type of weather I'd like to see this time next week as I make the longer journey around to Charlevoix.

Pictures will come -- promise!