Saturday June 27, 2009

Homeward bound. Today is the very last leg of our trip and in addition completes the circumnavigation of the eastern half of the United States. Hooray!! Left Pentwater at 7:00AM with a little excitement knowing we'll be home in the early afternoon and be with the family once again (adoring crowds). 

Back in our Michigan port of Holland, MI. at 1:30PM. Arrived quicker than anticipated due to very light winds and almost non existent waves. 

Friday June 26, 2009

Another smooth day for running. Waves one foot and less with light winds until late in the day. Began this morning at 6:30 AM and went down the Pentwater channel at 6:00PM. Little longer day today because yesterday we had to shorten the daily run as the Northport marina was closed for construction.

Snug Harbor Marina Pentwater, MI. Private marina very nice and clean right on the main street. Convenient. Fueled up for the last time on this trip  before tying up for the night. Pentwater looking busy as this is probably the beginning of vacations lasting over the 4th of July next week. The city doesn't reflect its economic origins as a lumber port. All that's gone now but a rich history in the mid 1800s. Also the port as remembered as a "graveyard fort ships" with some horrific stories of the lost ships and life here bertween Big Sable and Little Sable points. Some as late as 1940! 

Thursday June 25, 2009

Rounding the top of the lower Michigan Peninsula. What an awesome sight the Mackinaw bridge. Seeing it from the water allows a full panoramic view and you can appreciate both its splendor and magnificence. We passed over the bridge numerous times but experiencing it this way is uniquely different. Ferries coming and coming from the City to mackinaw island with unique wakes are cool.

Swung into Charlevoix Municipal Harbor at Charlevoix, Mi. to make the 4:30PM bridge opening into the Round Lake Harbor. Docked at 4:35PM at the new upgraded municipal marina. Very well down with all the amenities and the main tourist shopping center one block away (including the ice cream store and, count 'em four fudge shops).

This is another great Marina. Recently redone (finished in 2008) its very accommodating. Well done , friendly staff, nice facilities, and even a band concert tonight. Ice cream, fudge, and live music. Not bad for a one night marina stop. Looks like the State of Michigan is helping marinas around Michigan renovate. Northport, by Leland,  is also under construction. Good for boating and tourism.

Wednesday June 24, 2009

Excellent day cruising. NW wind at 5-6 kt. and waves less than one foot. Smooooth. We made consistent speed which allowed us to go a little past our planned destination. That extra mileage will help us tomorrow. Don't know why but we had millions of bugs today. Mayflies, gnats, lady bugs and noseeums. Everywhere on the boat. How they got here is a mystery. others have experienced the same phenomenon. Messy and annoying little boogers. Good thing there wasn't a PETA officer aboard. 

Tied up at Rogers City Municipal Marina in Rogers City, Michigan at 6:00PM. The city has a bowling alley! No time to show our stuff. Open air concert tomorrow night and just our luck to miss it. Analogous to fishing: they were biting yesterday and will be tomorrow. This facility  is one of the best all around marinas we've seen. Intelligently constructed, break-water wall safe, deep water at dockside, very helpful and friendly staff, convenient gas dock, clean and picked up and a courtesy car to drive you to the restaurants and food stores and pick you up when done. In the language of the waterway this is a "big canoe".

Tuesday June 23, 2009

Harbor Beach marina, Harbor Beach, MI. Arrived at 6:30PM without response from marina office. Attendant soon came around saying she was at the fishing cleaning station and could not hear the VHF radio call or phone. Very skinny water at entrance. Water here is quite clear and being able to see the bottom makes you think you’re shallower than actual. Still high anxiety.  Have to be careful and move at slow, slow speed. Docked as one of the few boats here today. Transients have been much less than years past perhaps due to economy. This may be the next marina where old Carvers go to die.

            Courtesy van took us “downtown” to Smalley’s Tavern. Very little open as this town does not even have a full fledged food store. Locals say they must drive 20 miles one way for the supermarket. Good thing we have all the provisions we need.

            Harbor Beach, formerly known as Sand Beach, was selected in 1872 as the harbor of refuge along the Lake Huron shore. The now long break wall was begun in 1873 with the first lighthouse constructed in 1876. The Fresnel lens (3ft. by 2 ft.) was made in France and when lit could be seen for twenty-five miles. It evidently worked very well because between 1877 and 1899 47,460 ships took shelter here. The U.S. Coast Guard now has a permanent station nearby and has control of the Harbor Master responsibilities. Sensing the need for a more descriptive name reflecting the functions, use and protection on the harbor, the city was renamed Harbor Beach in 1899. And so it remains.

Monday June 22, 2009

On to Detroit, MI. Ah, Detroit, MI. Sure looks different from the waterside. First impression coming upstream; r-u-s-t. And a lot of it. Old plants and a heavily worked area. Here’s a picture of the current “GM” headquarters or what’s left of it. It took along time but the goose that that laid the golden eggs has been permanently maimed. Sorrowful to see and experience but unfortunately true. When management, unions, and government put their heads together there’s no telling what they’ll achieve.

            Strong River current here somewhere around 3 knots. This is part of the channel that empties Lakes Superior and Huron, ultimately picking up Lake Erie and going over Niagara Falls. Big deep water used by freighters for the Great Lakes and ocean access.

            Tied up at Kean’s Marina just north of downtown. Nice facilities but a very tight slip fit . Especially nice was when we needed additional oil and the marina was out, marina residents, Tom and Debbie Nisun, gave us their van to go to West Marine some seven miles away. Tom is a stage manager for Kenny Chesney concerts and had worked for Reba McIntire for some time. Very nice and outgoing people and much appreciated by us. Another couple took us over to Sinbad’s the nearby restaurant on their way home. A courtesy van brought us back. You can't beat kindness.

Sunday June 21, 2009

Pulled away from Wolverine Park Marina, Erie, PA. at 6. Lake Erie predicted to be 1-2-3 foot seas. NW wind approx. 15 mph. Good run with seas as predicted. 

Lakeside Marina Cleveland, OH. Arrived at 4:30PM. Extremely well protected yacht club and docks. Took on additional fuel and were able to have dinner at the club. Cleveland is also home to the National Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Too far away for us to visit but clearly visible from the Lake.