Keeping Busy in Cheboygan

While commerce continues to sail Lake Huron outside their door ...
BD and Ric keep busy working on their home ...
and Chessie helps by eating the sand under our feet ...
we moved almost 4 tons of rock over two days ... some of it pea gravel and some these larger drain stones to make sure that the foundation stays dry ... cruising doesn't prepare you for this, but it felt good to do some physical labor while waiting for new crew.

and, then there is the reward of a large fire on the beach to close out a day of work and accomplishment.

Cheboygan Images

Ric, BD, and Charlee out to dinner in Cheboygan at one of the locals' favorite spots -- a drive in with window service et al -- we didn't do that 'cause Chessie came with us, and the concept of Chessie, food, window service, and us just didn't compute.
I'm tied up across the river from the new Coast Guard ice breaker Mackinaw -- the retired Mackinaw is now a visitor museum in the city of the same name (only 15 miles from here). I'd like to report that the USCG is keeping busy even while tied to the sea wall.

The view across Lake Huron from Ric and BD's home (which they are making great progress on building -- passed the electrical and other inspections -- almost ready for dry wall). The island in the distance is called Bois Blanc -- but the locals say Bob lo -- and us mariners soon learn to say the same.

Here through Labor Day -- then heading out of here to Mackinac Island, and then over to Lake Michigan. Like every town/city I've stopped in, the people are incredibly friendly and helpful. And, I continue to find that Chessie and Sonador will always draw a crowd.

Parade of Lights

If a river freezes over in December -- then when do you have the parade of lights? In August, of course -- and last evening I got to sit on the stern of Sonador and watch dinghies and larger power boats come down the river from Cheboygan to past this marina and out with lights blazing and country music playing. Earlier in the day -- after a really earth rattling thunder storm passed by, there were kayak races on the river and an antique car rally in the downtown.

Today, it's downright chilly here -- a soup for lunch day since it is too cold for much else. Have spent a couple hours (at least) each day with BD and/or Ric. Tomorrow, they will help me transport my outboard motor to a "fix-it" shop so that at least I have the possibility of anchoring out again and not having to row Chessie ashore.

The break from constantly moving is good -- and I'm meeting lots of nice boaters and others who are willing to give rides to town (it's only four blocks so I can walk) -- and Chessie is liking the idea of just jumping off the boat to go for walks (I have to lift her back on-board since the dock is too low for her to jump)

Organizing pictures for a couple more photo posts before I leave here right after Labor Day.

Cheboygan, MI

Spent the last couple of days with BD and Ric and Charlee -- and now, on Friday evening, am back on a very quiet Sonador. Will try to get the outboard motor back in working order here, replenish supplies, and, oh, by the way purchase charts and c-map chips for Lake Michigan.

Truth be known, didn't know whether I'd really get this far so the investment in the Lake Michigan information seemed premature -- but no longer. My friend Susan will join me around Labor Day and then we are off on a water adventure again.

Until then, BD wants to go hiking on trails near their new home, maybe bike riding, and just hang around Cheboygan -- which in and of itself sounds like a good vacation endeavor. Both BD and Ric send their best to the PAM crowd!

And, into Michigan -- actually, not quite

Chessie and I at the Benjamins ... short leash after she fell in the water twice trying to get around the rocks
Sonador at anchor in the Benjamins -- please note large rock in the background -- it marks the entrance to this particular bay
The Inn at Meldrum -- for a small town at least 8 hours from Toronto it's trying to make it's mark, but.....
... the marina at Meldrum

This fishing vessel arrived around 11 p.m., full of white fish destined for fancy restuarants in Toronto and New York City -- we slept through the whole thing.

Leaving here, we went back out into the North Channel and arrived at Drummond Island this afternoon -- met boaters who actually went aground and ruined their underbody on the way to our current harbor.

It's cool -- no make that cold. But clear skies and quiet winds for tomorrow's passage across Lake Huron. We've called Ric and BD and they will meet us in Cheboygan tomorrow afternoon.

Although this isn't the end of my trip, I can't tell you how beautiful this is and how certain I am that next summer will be even better.

The Benjamins!!!

From Kagawong, we traveled about 20 miles north into the North Channel to the Benjamin Islands, this is Charlee at the top of the first rock we climbed... looking south out to the channel
At the water level, the story is a little different -- those with good eyes xcan see the mast behind the rocks -- yup, that's right, boats go into these little narrow channels and tie to the rocks on both sides. Not yours truely, at least not yet.
Looking north from our anchorage, we spent time with the couple on the sail boat -- who by the way, swam over to introduce themselves before inviting us to wine and cheese later that same evening.
Those of you who know Chessie, know that she would not willingly wade in any puddle, but give her water that she can drink directly from the great bay ... and she has become a fresh water wading dog!
In case you doubt the beauty of this place!

Little Currrent to the Benjamin Islands

From Little Current we went to Kagawong -- a small community with a great soul! The little church has the prow of a small craft that went down just north of here during a storm not twenty years ago...
... and then it has wonderful trails leading to these falls -- Chessie even waded in and sat down -- much to her surprize her tail got wet. Gotta figure these dogs learn very slowly.
From the top of the bridal veil falls -- it was beautiful, remote, and enjoyed by everyone we met on the trail
The marina at Kagawong -- one thing we noted was the ice cream cones available at the marina office and the extraordinarily friendly people on the docks. Kids spent the whole afternoon jumping, diving, and belly-flopping off the high dock in the right of this picture.
Kagawong proper -- the little chapel is to the left, the general store is behind it, and the marina is on the right.