This is a replica of an older sailing vessel, home port is Traverse City. Her crew are all volunteers, adventurers who simply enjoy the work of maintaining and sailing this beauty
Just to give you a perspective on my front row seat. We are all ready to leave tomorrow, Thursday, and even got a bath earlier in the day.
Elegante spends a lot of time up in this part of Lake Michigan. She is privately owned but like so many big boats today, she charters out when needed. I had an opportunity to go on board several years ago when she was across Little Traverse Bay at the boat show in Bay Harbor. She is a beautiful, classic boat.
Harbor Springs is justly proud of it's young sailors program. Here they are being towed out to the Blessing of the Fleet. But every other day, you see these youngsters - many only four and five years old - out in the Bay learning the finer points of keeping their vessels moving.
Finally, it's time for me to leave. Heading off on Thursday morning for a relatively uneventful ride to Cheboygan. Winds were from the south and west -- not always great on Lake Michigan - but they were just starting to build and we were able to find a smooth point of going after a few rolls that had Sophie wondering if I had lost my mind again! In Cheboygan for the hot weekend.
Wednesday evening was the annual blessing of the fleet in Harbor Springs. It was perfect weather, a light breeze from the west (and this spit of land which encloses the harbor is facing south west so the water was very calm)
Boats of all shapes and sizes came for the event. This young man is powering his dad across the harbor to make sure they have a prime spot for watching all the activity.
And, there has to be at least one beautiful, big sail boat joining in the festivities. This beauty was briefly docked right behind Sonador while the crew came on board, dressed to the nines, libations and appetizers in hand. Then off they motored, without so much as a "would you care to join us?"
The biggest power boat in the fleet is this lady -- her home port is here in Harbor Springs. She's decked out with all her flags, and her professional crew made sure she stopped at just the right vantage point.
Behind her on shore, you are beginning to catch a glimpse of some of the private summer homes that surround the harbor.
This is, afterall, the home of the Odawa Indians. So they were represented by this large canoe - manned I suspect by locals just out for the fun of paddling across the harbor.
The senior tech from Irish, Brian, showed up yesterday afternoon and spent almost two hours trouble shooting the system. He was able to recreate the problem, just needed to isolate why it was happening.
So, the system wiring was checked from end to end -- the connections looked good -- he did find a minor issue with a hot wire being exposed (which he quickly corrected.) But the problem persisted.
Now, remember when this happened. We were in really rough water, banging and rolling around. Not only were the humans unhappy since we had been promised quiet seas, but the four legged crew member known as Sophie was particularly disgruntled. In fact she was very frightened. Her solution is to come up to the helm -- not a great idea when we were rolling as we were -- but she made it. And assumed her favorite spot right at my feet.
Turns out there is a wire coming out just where she curls up -- it's the remote plug for the auto pilot. Get the picture? It's all Sophie's fault! Not really, but the solution is easy. Just totally unplug that remote control and the system acknowledges that one control is off line, but works just fine with the main control.
YEAH!!!
Celebrated by inviting a fellow boater -- Ron from China Doll -- over for a gin and tonic and telling of boating adventures.
Today, I'm just lazing around. Right now plan to leave tomorrow, but will revisit that decision tonight with Rick Gillig before I ask them to drive all the way over here. Anxious to move on, and relieved that the auto pilot was a bother but not a disaster.
Even the best laid plans can get turned on their head in boating. Decided that yesterday, June 25th was the day to make the trip from Charlevoix to Cheboygan. Had my crew lined up, Sonador was fueled and pumped out -- and other boats were also making the journey.
What could go wrong?
NEVER, EVER ask that question! First, we tried to get the bridge tender to open the bridge at 9:30. When I finally hailed him -- been trying for ten minutes -- his excuse was that he was on the phone with "the State." Then, he asked if I would mind waiting until 10 -- I told him that yes I would mind, so he grudgingly opened the bridge. Had to lie about my clearance -- he wanted me to lower my antennas and that's not his call, it's mine. Anyway, out into Lake Michigan.
The seas were confused -- winds from the east and north creating a real chop. But, we were underway. The further out into the open water, the bigger the waves, we were being tossed around and banging into some of them with quite a bit of chaos -- Sophie was not a happy camper (and truthfully neither was I.) The real determinant was after one big crashing wave an alarm went off, and I lost my auto pilot/compass indicator -- and it was lost while the auto pilot was engaged. So, switch off the electronics for a moment, restart everything but the auto pilot and I at least could drive the boat. That same instrument tells me where my helm is -- its hydraulic -- so coming into a dock or other tight place is a challenge. Called Irish at Harbor Springs and asked if they could take me in -- I was closer to them than to Charlevoix.
Turned into the east, and the protection of Little Traverse Bay -- and here I sit.
It's a chilly morning -- in the upper 50's when Sophie and I went for our morning walk -- and just now starting to warm up. Harbor Springs is a beautiful little town, very up scale, and quite the boating area. So not a bad place to be, if you can't be where you wanted to be.
Irish should be able to check out the auto pilot today, and then I'll know for how long Harbor Springs will be my home. The blessing of the fleet is tomorrow in the harbor -- maybe I should paddle out in my dinghy just to get some extra help!
Right now, the next weather window isn't until Thursday or Friday. But, then everything goes to hell in a hand basket for the weekend when the winds are expected to really build.
Oh well. I've good books, a comfortable boat, and the town is very nice.
Getting ready to leave is no small task -- last minute shopping for essentials like potato chips, making sure that all the tanks are either full (diesel) or empty (waste) -- and it's not helped by the rain and dreary day.
But ready we think we are -- after another small glitch ( the water shower pump kept leaking, and I've never used the dratted thing, but leak it must) which was fixed this afternoon, I think we are ready to be a boat.
Tomorrow, with the help of Ric Gillig, I'm heading over to Duncan Bay -- and the beginning of SUMMER!!!
I'd just like to point out that I'm still in Charlevoix -- and apt to remain here for a few more days.
The reason is pictured on the left -- that's supposed to end with a wiper blade. And, it did until the dratted thing broke off in my hand on Tuesday morning as I was getting ready to take a day on Lake Charlevoix. Of course, nothing is easy when it comes to a boat, and this is no ordinary fitting.
Irish has ordered a part that we think will do the trick. It may arrive today, it could arrive tomorrow -- and then we can only hope that it actually works.
So instead of leaving today, as originally planned, I'm still here.
Actually, that's a good thing. There are small craft warnings on Lake Michigan -- winds are steady to 20 knots with gusts to 25. Might be loads of fun if one were a sailboat, but a small trawler would be miserable. So here I sit. And, I'm not the only one -- two of my fellow GLCC boaters (on considerably larger power boats) have extended their stays also -- no sense in beating up on yourself just to make a schedule.
The good news is today is Thursday, that means the farmers' market -- fresh little strawberries and asparagus. Yum.
And, it is a beautiful day. I took the picture of the entrance to Round Lake yesterday when it was quieter -- but the same blue sky.
I don't care how many times I look out onto Charlevoix harbor -- it's always somewhat magical. The brilliant blue skies of the day are replaced by the subtle sunsets -- and cooler nights.
I'm planning on another week here -- just hanging around with friends, and enjoying the change of pace.
Not to mention the delightful weather!
My days are filled with long walks with Sophie, reading books, taking naps, and generally soaking up the atmosphere of this lovely town. Not a day goes bye but we pass by the mushroom houses, and the beautiful estate homes that make up the back roads.
And the evenings are spent reading, listening to books on tape, and making sure that I breathe all the good vibes that make up this part of the world.
I will store all this in my memory bank, and return to Florida in the fall ready for another committed winter of working/volunteering at SMART. In the interim, it's very peaceful and good for the soul up here.
So today, the wind has died down, the sun is out, I've done all my little chores. What better way to spend the afternoon than taking a dinghy ride around Round Lake with Sophie.
The first of the season. Started on the third pull, piled in with all the necessities (except I forgot to bring the hand held VHF) and off we puttered. A lovely ride. Even got to explore the little creek that used to be the Pine River before the channels were dug to allow larger boats to come into Charlevoix and down the lake to East Jordan and Boyne City.
About half way across Round Lake -- it's small but still maybe a mile across -- I run out of fuel. Now, what sailor in her right mind doesn't check the fuel level before setting out? Me, that's who!!😜
So out come the new oars, and like clock work we make our way back to Sonador. Every stroke with the right oar bumps Sophie's head -- you'd think she'd learn to duck -- and finally we tie up. I'm winded, and probably will be a little sore tomorrow, I have no idea when one uses those muscles -- but it's not often!
That's more exercise than I wanted for the day!
Is it possible that's spring already?
The answer is yes. Today is June 6th -- a Wednesday -- and I'm sitting down below on Sonador, early evening, after a brief and light rainfall. Listening to James Galway playing some soft flute tunes, wishing it were a little warmer.
Arrived on Sunday, staying with Donna and Lou. After a long haul from Florida, including a delightful stay with Chuck and JoAnn in Cincinnati.
Monday, to the boat at Irish to put a lot of stuff (that's a nautical term) on board. Yesterday, I asked Irish to move Sonador to the Charlevoix City Marina. And, thus, here I am today.
Sophie has settled in -- first thing she did was climb on the bed -- and renew acquaintances at the marina office where there are COOKIES! No doubt she will remember this until she has no memories!
Tonight will be my first night on-board. This morning it was a low of 38 degrees -- just hoping that the overnight will not be quite so cold. Tomorrow is farmers' market -- if nothing else we'll find fresh asparagus -- and some other goodies to help stock the pantry.
Pictures later.
It is SO GOOD TO BE BACK!!!!
Finally, it's time for me to leave. Heading off on Thursday morning for a relatively uneventful ride to Cheboygan. Winds were from the south and west -- not always great on Lake Michigan - but they were just starting to build and we were able to find a smooth point of going after a few rolls that had Sophie wondering if I had lost my mind again! In Cheboygan for the hot weekend.
