SV Inishnee: 7.6.11 Island Hopping

Arrival and departure from Beaver Island was not all that graceful. Setting the anchor was hampered by issues, specifically the malfunction of windlass which turned out to be a loose wiring connection.

While on shore, we were able to stretch the long muscles and walked around town, all of 1/2 mile. Checked out the museum/book store and met up with a friend from Saugatuck who summers on the Island. Eric, invited us for drinks and hors d'oeuvres later that afternoon. St. James Harbor was unusually quite during this visit, having been there numerous times before almost always durning "HomeComing", the Island version of a family reunion. Multitudes of expat islanders return to affirm their roots, see family and friends. Picnics, ball games and a lot of ridin' around in pickups sporting picnic tables, lawn chairs and stocked coolers in the beds. I spent many summers taking classes on the Island through CMU's Beaver Island Campus Branch. What a great way to earn college credits in such a beautiful setting.

Dinner was at the Shamrock of course then retired to the boat for a quite evening. Thursday 7 am we pushed off and as stated above, met with a douse of humility. A grounding, although brief. Not our preferred way to exit the harbor. At least here you can see what you have run aground on, the water is crystal clear. Some reverse throttle put us back on course and we were off, literaly. Within an hour, Beaver Island was shrinking to aft, Garden and Hog Islands on the port side. The water was flat and mirror like, our wake the only cause of disturbance. The wind prediction was for calms, but we were soon met with sailable winds. Raised the main, pulled the gib and skipped along at 4 and 5 knots. Today would be momentous for us. Mackinaw Island, the goal. Consulting the navigation charts and setting waypoints to make sure we would clear the infamous "Grays Reef". The passage was WELL marked with huge structures, bell towers and abandoned light houses, so it turned out easier than I anticipated. With the Mackinaw Bridge now on the horizon a Hobbit breakfast (number two) was inorder. Bacon, dill toast and mimosas. Crossing under the Bridged was quite exciting and surprisingly noisy. Those of you who have driven across the Bridge are aware off the iron grid in the middle lanes to reduce windage. The whine from dozens of cars driving overhead forced the conversation on the boat to a near yell.

Lake Huron is now under the keel! Next stop, Mackinaw Island. The harbor is small and really busy with ferry traffic. Multitudes of people coming and going constantly aboard dozens of water craft. Dodging ferries and their turbulent wakes, we tied up for a pump-out then retreated to our slip, thankful to the DNR staff who assist in catching lines and tieing off. This is a state run marina, nice facilities. It is by far the busiest and noisiest harbor we have visited to date. Even tied up and safe in the break wall, there is a constant swell and noise commotion from the ferrys coming and going.

We showered, ate dinner on the boat and went for a stroll. We were treated to free fudge at Murdick's. I only wanted a partial slice but the gal behind the counter said they weren't allowed to sell partial slabs. We declined and she said maybe if you try it you will come back for more... so she hand over a lovely piece of silken, creamy dark fudge, free of charge. A nice tip is in order for the young lady. I am from "up north", Johannesburg to be exact. We have a term up here for the tourists. I'm sure it must have started on Mackinaw Island but is used widely by the locals up here. We call them "fudgies" and as the name implies, they all have to buy a hunk of fudge before returning to where ever. Having lived away from the area for so long now, I guess I am now the fudgy.... Not sure how I like that.

We washed the sweet treat down with a beverage at the Pink Pony. Made famous by sailors after completing the Chicago to Mac Race which takes place every July.... A huge event which draws first class sailboats and crew from all over the world. Our wonderful inland sea has gained the respect of many once they see and experience it for themselves. It's a huge body of water with a mind and weather pattern of her own. She demands respect while upon her waters.

Tomorrow, we celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary. Considering renting bikes for the morning. that ought to be interesting, haven't ridden a bike in a really long time. We are also meeting one of my original "Beaver Buddy's" in the afternoon. We met years ago while taking classes on Beaver Island. Looking forward to catching up.

Geeze, I almost forgot ...the FLY report. We had virtually no biting flies today.... a small hatch of May Flies was all. Yeah!