Happy Fourth of July!!!

On the water at last!  Passing the abandoned light house at Grey's Reef on Friday, June 27th on the way to St. Ignace, MI.  Very seldom is it this calm on Lake Michigan -- and never before have I seen this all the way under the Mackinaw Bridge.  But, this is what Sophie and I, along with my friend Susan, experienced.  Wow.  Hope it is a portent of things to come this summer.

We spent three nights in St. Ignace -- a small town struggling with an identity beyond a ferry terminal for the trip to Mackinaw Island.  But, we had a good time and everyone was friendly as all get out.  Only issue, the hike to the grocery store on Monday morning was a little over a mile up hill -- boy, oh boy, my Florida legs are barely able to do that on the flat. :)

We then motored about twenty miles to Hessel, MI.  A small resort town in the Les Cheneaux Islands -- a really cute, but very small town.  Dinner first night at local bar and grill, followed by very rich ice cream at the boat repair shop (picture that.)  Next day, wandered around town and then had dinner at the culinary school -- nine months of schooling followed by three months (summer) of actually serving guests.  Very delicious food and the atmosphere was delightful.

Next day, took off through the "snows" via the small craft channel -- narrow waterway between and among the islands.  Woodies (aka wooden chris craft classic speed boats) docked at almost every cabin.   Then there is dollar island -- whimsy at its best.

 And then on to Government Bay where we stayed for two nights with friends Chuck and JoAnne on Moku Hale (45' sail boat).  In the not too recent past there was a beach for landing dinghies -- no more, the high water has covered all the sand, and much of the grasses.  We all went ashore anyway for a nice short hike in the woods -- saw bear prints in the sand, and lots of birds (no bear, thank goodness)

After two nights we motored over to DeTour Village -- the entry point for big (1000') freighters heading up to the Ste Saint Marie locks -- or those down bound for the delivery points on Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and even across the Atlantic.  Came here not only because it is a quaint town in the Upper Peninsula but also because they have a fun Fourth of July Parade.

Tomorrow, back to the mainland and Cheboygan, MI where Susan will depart to spend more time with child hood friends and I will prepare for a summer in the North Channel.

It is GOOD to be out and on the water!!!!!!

Out and About in Charlevoix

Finally had a day where I was motivated to climb into the dinghy, fight with the outboard, and tour Round Lake.  After a few false starts -- the outboard kept dying on me -- got going east to the Lake Charlevoix end of Round Lake, where the original Pine River which connected to Lake Michigan has become a quiet little stream around a small island and surrounded by the Chicago Club.  Rumor has it that this is where the summer people from Chicago congregate; while those from Detroit are across the Lake at the Belvedere Club -- beautiful "cottages" in a private setting.

Sophie sorta enjoyed the dinghy ride.  But wondered at the end what was the point.  Usually a dinghy ride means a walk on a rocky shore.  This was a round trip -- boat to boat.  But, not to be deterred she has also been napping.

Now, a couple of hours later it is grey and drizzling.  That's the way with weather on the water.  So, I've been reading, napping, and generally being a sloth.  What's wrong with that!!!!

Into Every Life, a Little Rain Must Fall

You wouldn't want to see pictures for the last several days -- chilly constant drizzle, interspersed with heavy rain and a few moments of bright sunshine.  The happiest boaters are the participants in the Charlevoix Trout Tournament over this weekend.  Crazy fishermen!

So, just to prove that I can forget everything about boating:

Yesterday, in bright early morning sunshine, I motored the few hundred feet to the pump-out (a reality of living on a boat or RV).  Successful solo docking at the pump-out facility.  Not so pretty coming back into the Marina, but nothing bumped or bruised.  Replugged the electric, straightened all my dock lines, retrieved the dinghy, and settled into a peaceful day.  Then, "OH NO" -- the head decided to overflow!!!  Not nice.

So, unplug electric, remove the dinghy, call the Marina staff to help me cast off -- and backed out into the fairway.  Only to find that my port (that's left side for the land lubbers) engine wasn't working.  Frantic call for help, and limped back into a near slip with assistance.  Tied up, and before I repeated all the steps above decided to see if I could determine what was wrong.

Oh, yeah, I forgot to turn on the port engine.  DUH!!!  So, with a bright red face, requested assistance again to leave.  And crept to Irish (who had installed a new holding tank over the winter) to see if we could determine what was wrong -- with the head, not with my head :)

Well after some trouble shooting, it turned out that Irish had not directed the effluent to the new holding tank but into the old one which simply couldn't hold everything.  As long as everything was torn apart, I asked that they change choker valves and other parts of the pumping system.   Then, motored back to the Marina and docked like an expert.

Enough lessons for one person, in one day, early in the season.  Hope that I don't have to relearn any of this!!

Today is paperwork, jigsaw puzzles, and plans to get together with fellow boaters for drinks tonight.

Scenes from Charlevoix

Looking out across Round Lake from the City Marina

Finally, have found a way to post a few pictures, but there aren't many in my camera yet.  Not that Charlevoix doesn't have a lot of picturesque opportunities, but who carries a camera when they are walking their dog?  I certainly can't remember to take it with me at o' dark thirty which is when Sophie insists it is time to get up and get out!

 

We are into a string of wet, chill days -- followed by spectacular evenings -- followed by foggy mornings.  The radar pictures of Lake Michigan show bands of storms tracking across the Lake in our direction.  Good thing, I'm just staying put for a little while longer.

Sophie is at home on the foredeck of Sonador

Ah, now Michigan shows its true early summer temperment

Today, Friday the 5th we woke to dense fog and a significant chill in the air.  After an abbreviated walk -- sorry, Sophie -- I joined Charlevoix friends for coffee across the street from the marina.

Now, later in the afternoon, the fog has lifted but the sky is still grey -- but it is somewhat warmer.  Earlier in the week, all we had was bright blue sky and high fluffy clouds.  Like I said, Michigan weather can vary day-to-day.

Yesterday was the farmers' market.  Lots of goodies, but there is only so much room for storage on the boat, so I had to satisfy myself with fresh asparagus, some homemade bread, and green beans.  Maybe, next week, I will have resisted buying at the local grocery store, and save up for the market.  Got to get back into the habit of planning my shopping, farmers' market to farmers' market -- in the North Channel each town has a market on a different day of the week, so I plan my visits to marinas accordingly.

I'm still not able to upload pictures -- so will continue to work on that issue.  Or, find some professional computer geek who can figure this out.

Finally in downtown Charlevoix

Arrived here on Thursday night as planned, staying with friends in Boyne City which is at the southern end of Lake Charlevoix.  Spent Friday and Saturday unloading the car, and finding where everything could be stored on the boat.  I know that I brought less than last year, but still am finding that not everything has a happy place -- yet.

Moved on board on Saturday, and spent more of yesterday packing away and cleaning up inside.  The winds were quite blustery yesterday, Sunday, so stayed tied up at Irish Boat docks and visited with friends on the dock.  Today, I moved downtown for a little more company and close to the shops and eateries that line the main street in town.  Thursday will be the farmers' market right next to the marina.  So there is plenty to do.

Not many boaters out yet -- the water is still cold, about 50, and the nights have a nip to them but the bright sunshine during the day makes up for any chill.  I still am astonished that the days are so much longer up here -- we are above the 45th parallel which as the signs on Michigan highways reminds drivers is half way to the north pole.  Anyway, the sun is up by 5:45 latest and stays in the sky 'til long after 9:30.

Sophie knows the routine here.  We go for long walks in the morning, and one of her favorite locals always has a dog cookie for her.  Then, back to the boat for mom's breakfast and straightening up.  Followed by more walks, and more cookies -- this dog makes more friends than anyone I know -- and then quiet time until its time for another walk and dinner.  The life of one spoiled dog, and her mom!

Spring Time in Florida



Bougainvillea up close



 

Looking out across my "pond"

The time has come to start planning on heading north -- another four weeks and I'll be on the I-75 corridor heading north to Charlevoix and another wonderful summer on the Lakes.

But, in the interim, I've been enjoying my own gardens which are in full bloom.  Not, however, enjoying the heat which makes dog walks even in the early hours unbearable for both Sophie and me.  (it was 78 degrees Monday morning at 6:30 a.m.!)


Last Saturday, rising at 5 a.m. to catch the sun coming up and the tide, I went with one of my neighbors and my friend Susan to the Braden River Rookery.  A small mangrove island on the Braden River not twenty minutes from my home.  What a wonderful experience.   Our guide is both a professional photographer and boat captain, so we boarded his float boat and powered about 1/2 mile down stream under a major local highway -- and before our eyes were birds, hundreds of them, nesting on and in the mangroves -- arguing over territory, feeding their young, and making a racket the likes of which I've never heard.  I'll definitely go back again next year.

One of the adults in this marvelous sanctuary floating in the Braden River

And three chicks -- waiting for mom or dad to come back with food

Before I go:  Friday night is ballet; Saturday is "Mint Juleps and Roses" at SMART an evening of watching the races, seeing our own horses show their stuff; Sunday is the last wine tasting in my neighborhood for the summer; and I have several more volunteer days to put in both at SMART and the Circus Arts Conservatory.

Then, I'm all set!