The Last Leg

7.29.11

Light house at Manistee

A bright and chipper morning in Manistee... at least for the fishermen on the boat 2 slips over who were preparing to leave at 5:30 am...a couple more hours of rest and we too set off, White Lake our destination.  Had to motor the majority of the day.  10 hours on the lake.  Sooo glad the flies have not discovered we have returned!  It was pleasant even with the motor running.  No fog thank you! 

White Lake Light House

sunrise 

7.30.11
While Lake : Quiet night, a bit of a roll being anchored so close to the channel.  Lots of fishing boats in and out.  We do have to report one incident of alcohol abuse.... no "Sand Bar" required:  spilled the Jameson last night while preparing the nightcap... Yikes! 

Rations down to meager bits., contemplating the aquatic garden Jim is cultivating on the anchor... 

Must be time to weigh anchor and git  'er home, crew is getting antsy.    

Jim's Garden

Mount Baldhead

Mount Baldhead in view, our beacon on the horizon.  Home.  Saugatuck.   What an incredible welcome home.  The whole town turned out and half the neighboring communities!  The marina and Yacht Club had a pig roast, their was a boat parade and even fireworks!  They must have missed us terribly!!!!   So as not to make us feel uncomfortable with all the hoopla they advertised it as "Venetian Festival" but we know it was planned just for us.  The aluminum forest of home was hard to detect through all the boats anchored and rafted off in the harbor, more than I have ever seen.   Music was coming from every front.  Good times being had by all.  We secured the boat and met friends for a toast.  We had to keep down wind though so as not to offend anyone, then off to the showers.  We made it up till nearly midnight with all the festivities going on.  Today begins the task of off loading supplies and gear.  A bit of a reality check.  Forecast is for the coming week hot and muggy but this is why we put up with long, cold, grey winters right?

7.31.11

We spent some time reflecting on the trip.  Over all we have had a really great time.  I thought it would be interesting to summarize the momentous moments so here they are:

We only imbibed once while underway: the mimosas to celebrate going under the Big Mac, too many risks involved otherwise. 

 Something....

Good:  J= No significant boat / mechanical problems   K=  it was surprisingly comfortable  living on the boat

Bad: J = the rock incident   K= the fre-ickin rock incident

Unexpected: J= so much motoring     K=  having to hide the olive oil

Favorite Place:  J= MaryAnn Cove / Frazier Hill climb   K= Thomas Bay scenery followed closely by Beardrop

Humorous:  J= losing the nozzle inside the gas can for the dinghy and spending nearly and hour with a stick from shore to retrieve it  (Killarney)  K= trying to walk on the boat while it is plunging through the waves.... kind of like when you ride an elevator and as you near the top (or bottom) floor you jump and the floor rises to meet you... but,  you get to do it over and over for hours. 

Wish List of products for another adventure:   a chart plotter, solar panels, and of course retirement...

Products we were glad we had / brought for comfort, etc:  Memory Foam Mattress topper, Soda Stream machine, bug screen (thanks for the tip Tom), boat milk (UHT found at Walmart or Traders Joe's), water repellant spray for the canvas (thanks Kevin),  lots and lots of charts and books to navigate: thanks to our wonderful friends for the loan of these,   the computer,  polarized sun glasses, and ZIp Lock "vacuum bags" to keep things fresh, dry and crunchy.

We logged almost 900 miles.  We used about 90 gallons of diesel,  engine hours around 125.  

Slip fees:  $500.00  +/-     

Fuel:   $ 360.00    

Good Memories....

Fresh produce in Canada:  twice the price in U.S.    

Memories:  priceless!  (you had to see that coming)

I hope you enjoyed our adventures.  We'll give email updates when we set off for another one.  

Thanks for following!  

Very sincerely,

SV Inishnee