The End of a GREAT Summer

Wednesday was, as predicted, a quiet day on the BIG LAKE, so Susan and I brought Sonador around to Charlevoix without incident -- even managed to time the bridge opening into Round Lake such that it only took ten minutes of idling in the channel. Then fueled up, and came over to Irish where I'll leave the boat for the winter.

Just to make it interesting the alarms on both engines started just after we left the fuel dock -- screaming that the alternators weren't working all the way (only a short distance, but the noise made it seem an eternity) to Irish. We were met by friends who dock here -- and by the manager of Irish who heard my plaintive call on channel 68 and came to around to greet me. Last saw him and his wife in Gore Bay, Ontario!

Have the rental car in hand, and now begin the joy of unloading all the STUFF from five months on the boat. This morning took five grocery bags full of canned goods to the local food bank -- not the tapenade but almost everything else. Now, need to start going thru all the storage areas and identifying that which must go home, that which must be tossed, and that which can stay. Sonador will have heated indoor storage this winter, so don't need to worry quite as much as when she is stored outside like last winter.

Hard to believe it's over -- but on Tuesday the 21st I'll throw Chessie and myself into the car early and with any luck be home late on Wednesday the 22nd. Then, start planning for next year.

Petoskey

Well, Michigan has obviously decided that winds and waves are the fall program (see later) We arrived without incident after a VERY smooth crossing from Mackinac Island -- and in record time for me, less than 5 hours.

BUT, when we had pulled into our slip the starboard engine alarms started going off. So, here we go again -- this time, after a frantic call to Irish Boat in Charlevoix which is twenty miles away, they sent a mechanic from their facility right across Little Traverse Bay -- and, viola, it was a simple connection between the alternator (which he described as "falling asleep") and the power on the boat -- even showed me what he did in case it happens again.

The afternoon and evening were spent visiting with one of Susan's friends who has a cottage on Walloon Lake -- back to the boat only to wake very early on Sunday to winds in low twenties from the north west (that means beam seas for trip to Charlevoix). Forecast is no better, both Monday (today) and Tuesday call for high winds (gusts to mid thirties) and waves (4-5')

Good friends are hard to come by, but Susan has some winners -- we are now happily ensconced in the cottage with Chessie and our hostess and her dog until Wednesday morning when we will make the trip. In the interim, good books and places to go.

Not the best end to a great summer, but NOT as dramatic as last year.

The Great Lakes ARE Big Waters

So, I played for a week in Cheboygan -- visiting with BD and Rick at their beautiful home on the shores of Lake Huron -- they hosted my GLCC friends for dinner and drinks. And, surprise, the GLCC group and I also partied in the evenings at the marina.

Then Susan came up, and with two straight days of gale force winds we just hunkered down. On the third day we took a road trip to Sturgeon Bay on Lake Michigan where we saw the effects of the winds and the crazies who kite surf in this stuff.

Next day was beautiful and calm, so we came over to Mackinac Island-- where we remain because of high winds -- including gales which managed to put this sail boat on the breakwater. Amazingly, no one was hurt and the boat still floats.

We hope to leave tomorrow for Petoskey -- Lake Michigan is still rolling today and we have both done that six plus hour journey in 5 foot seas on the beam. It ain't no fun.

Back to Cheboygan

As planned, we spent a quiet night in Joe Dollar Bay -- anchored just off of Yorma and Ann's cottage where we took a sauna, splashed in the sixty degree waters off their dock, and ate royally with good friends and lots of tall tales.

Next morning, we were off in a light fog for Beef Island -- because we were above 46.15N my chart plotter had NO detail, so I followed like an obedient child to make sure that I hit no rocks. Eventually the detail came back -- below that magical number which must be where the charts for Lake Superior begin. The anchorage behind Beef was lovely with sandy beaches and tromping across the small island to other shores -- saw deer and bear paw prints, but none of the critters themselves. Sunrise was spectacular.

Then motored onto Drummond Island, Michigan where I docked and waited to be cleared by Customs Officers who must come down from the Soo to check in boats at Drummond. About two hours, but Chessie was patient. Noticed a horrible smell -- rotten eggs -- so another battery problem had to be addressed (different battery) -- turned out it was BAD and really leaking acid. Thank goodness for good mechanics! It blew like stink all afternoon and evening -- everyone heading to Cheboygan went to bed thinking they'd wait til Friday to cross Lake Huron, but Thursday the forecast changed again and by noon on Thursday after my repairs I was putting some speed under my hull to try to catch up with the others. About half way across I passed Class Act (they were motor sailing) and bucking three footers on the bow I headed straight for Cheboygan.

USCG Mackinac showed up on radar, and then closing fast on the horizon -- since radar indicated a possible collison course, I called on the VHF -- they concurred with my assessment and offered to stand down (have evening meal in the process) and let me enter the channel to Cheboygan first. Nice guys and gals those Coasties.

Into Duncan Bay Boat Club, where all my buddies and the staff were ready to catch me. So, I'm here for a week before taking off with my friend Susan to cruise the northern shore of Huron and head on over toward Charlevoix after the Labor Day weekend.

Out to the hook again

Stayed several days in Gore Bay – both because it’s a nice town and marina and because the winds picked up and few wanted to venture into what was reported as 3 – 5’ seas – even taken with a grain of salt, that’s a lot of water to pound thru if you don’t have to. So, we entertained ourselves with games of Mexican Train (dominoes) and parties ashore including one afternoon with mussels in garlic butter sauce and umbrella drinks (rum punch). We had good times both playing and trooping around town to visit the museum and the art galleries.
On Friday, left Gore Bay with another group of friends – and ventured to Turnbull Island at the west end of the Whalesback Channel (east was weathered in). Another entry that required my following Class Act into the harbor – and leaving a track which I marked for future entries. A great little harbor – with a beach for Chessie and good holding. Several other boats from the GLCC were there so we went over to a large Moody 48 with room enough in the main salon to seat nine of us for cocktails. Later we were entertained – not the right word – by a spectacular lightning and thunder storm with sheet lightning that lit up the harbor so brightly it felt like your eyes were going to burn. At least two hours of this, followed by high winds and rain – I didn’t drag my anchor but also didn’t get much sleep.
Saturday there wasn’t a breath of air, so the few boats that were left came over to Sonador for more Mexican train in the afternoon before we took our dinghies and explored all the little islands that make up the Turnbull Harbor. Really very special county.
This morning, up at the crack of dawn – before 6 – and after taking Chessie ashore, departed Turnbull behind Class Act. Followed them for a few miles, but had to let the engines do their thing so sped on ahead to Thessalon, Ontario. Tonight we are joining other boaters for Indian food in town – this is a town of less than 1,000 – and tomorrow we are heading out to anchor further along the shore line and enjoy a sauna at some Canadian friends who live here and in Montreal.
Probably leave here the next day to head to St. Joseph Island on the way to Superior, then turn back to Drummond, Michigan and then wait for a clear day to cross Lake Huron and go into Cheboygan for a few days before my friend Susan joins me for some cruising including going back to Mackinac Island.

Week in Gore Bay

We finally pulled up anchor from Sturgeon Cove and have been in Gore Bay at the municipal marina since Sunday night. A beautifully protected area, surrounded by high cliffs and a relatively narrow entrance. This shot was taken from the bluffs to the east side of the Bay.

The week has been spent playing dominos, hanging out with new friends and exchanging boating hints (my input is very limited but I sure do listen well) about favorite anchorages in the North Channel.

Tomorrow (the weather gods willing) I'll leave here for the Whalesback Channel -- one of the favorite places on the north shore where there are lots of remote anchorages with names like Bear Drop, Bear Bottom, Aird Isle, etc. I'll be buddy boating with friends from the GLCC. So, until I get to the good ole USA later in the month this is probably my last entry in the blog. But I will take pictures along the way. Just know that I'm having a blast, and can't believe that the summer is coming to an end.

Entertainment in Sturgeo Cove