Cliffs along School House Bay 

7.21

Great news.  A text from son Ben early this morning….. Baby is on it’s way!   

We left School House Bay with good wind about 8am.  Sailed the entire way to Snail Shell Harbor, Faeyette, MI: U.P.  We had to run the engine to charge batteries for a couple hours since we have been on the hook for nearly a week now.  The weather predictions said today was to get to 90’.  Didn’t happen on the Lake.  It was pleasant though, only 2 shirts needed today.  The weather report says tomorrow will be stormy so boats are looking for a safe harbor. The 300 foot wall for boat to tie off to already had 4 boats.  We met several of the other boaters,  6 of us ended up at The Port Hole Bar for drinks or dinner.  Great fish and food for a place so far off the beaten path.     

The townsite of Faeyette is an abandoned iron ore smelting settlement from the 1800’s.  It is part of a Historic Faeyette State Park now.  The approach from the water reveals a huge limestone bluff and curls around to a small protected bay that is very deep.  Many of the buildings are still here and for the most part in good condition, preserved for park visitors to see.  Many buildings have artifacts from the era in them and there are plaques throughout the grounds explaining the area and uses of the sites and buildings.  Apparently this was a very filthy place at its height of industry.  Sanitation was non existent and health care rudimentary.  Today it is a step back in time and with a little imagination you can envision daily life, sights and smells. 

There is actually a proper beach here with sand, but the water is very cold.  The wind is still cutting a good path over the back of the ‘shell’ and is expected to continue and bring rain tomorrow.

Ken and Linda came aboard after dinner and we had a nice chat.  They are on a Pacific Sea Craft sailboat.  Very sea worthy, stout boats.  They have been coming here for many years and seem to be the local greeting party.  We were glad of it since the wall was so crowed and their help with lines was greatly appreciated.  They live in Wisconsin.  There are no electric lights here of any kind.  It is complete dark, illuminated only by the moon and stars.  Maybe some shooting stars tonight… 

Baby update!  Keegan Timothy arrived at 10:01am pacific time, Hawaii.  8 lbs 6 1/2 oz and healthy… Very happy for Ben and Amy.  It will be a few months before we are introduced proper but we look forward to pictures.  

7.22

Weathered in.  Wind and waves have us held up in Snail Shell Harbor, Faeyette.  We spent most of the morning below on the boat.  A light shower followed by 20 -25 knot winds with lots of sunshine in the protected harbor.  The Lake must be significantly more.  Another sailboat has arrived making it 6 on the wall as well as power boat.  we took the opportunity to look around.  there are over 20 buildings in  various stages of restoration.  The iron ore smelting facilities, kilns,etc.  A hotel, a boarding house, private homes, blacksmith… etc.  Some have artifacts and household objects staged as it might have looked for the setting and time period.  They have done a fantastic job depicting the life here, all except the filth that apparently was rampant.  There is also a short hike to the top of the bluff and circles through the woods.  a great way to spend the day.  I made homemade bread and brownies to pass the time as well.  After dinner one of the other boaters invited us to their boat.  They are planning to leave for southern waters next summer and live aboard their Jeneau 42 sailboat.  There boat is very fast and they have won several prominent Great Lakes races: The Queens Cup and The Hook.  We shared ideas with Russ and Lisa about living aboard and where we all might travel.  They seem to have the same vague outline as we do.   Out the Great Lakes then south for the first winter.  I think we be crossing paths again.  We are both planning on leaving in the morning for Beaver Island.

Sailing to Beaver Island 

7.23

The weather for the south portion of northern Lake Michigan is for high waves and strong wind.  It was very cold.  52’ for most of the day.  Slightly warm after noon.   The passage to Beaver Island was long, 12 -14 hours at 5 - 6 knots.  Up and gone by 6am.  Great wind to start. sailed over half the way then the wind all but died and the motor took it’s place.  The batteries will be fully charged for arrival. 

The flies are back and brought reinforcements.  they are biting everything exposed including each other. very unpleasant!  

 A call to both town marinas finds they are full and rating off.  The Chicago to Mackinaw racers are heading to their home ports or other races and all slips are full.  We will anchor out again tonight. Town should be hoppin’ with the racers celebrating. The harbor looks really festive with the Mac Racers here.  Flags flying and celebrating.  Russ and Lisa are here with ‘Tumultuous Uproar’.  They left and hour after us and arrived 2 hours before us… fast boat!  we all met up at the Shamrock.  The anchorage has filled with boats. 

   

7.24

We slept in till 8:30.  Most all the sailboats have left.  We are off to Charlevoix.  Winds light, flew the spinnaker, then motored then the wind freshened and the jib was unfurled.  5 - 6 knots with 10 knots of wind.  Smooth ride.  Sunny and 68.  What happened to summer?  

We were finally able to get a few calls out today.  No phone service for nearly a week.  A few texts was all.  

Venetian Festival, Charlevoix 

We made the ‘bridge’ just as it was going to open… which is every 30 minutes and into Round Lake, Charlevoix Harbor.  Our arrival has coincided with the Venetian Festval here.  It is quite an event.  Many side streets are closed here harboring lots of carnival rides and ooey gooey treats.   We took on water and refreshed the head,  then off to anchor as there is no room at the Inn…Lots of boats and people and activity.  fun to be had by all that want it.   We grabbed our shore bags and off we went.  A walk about to take in the sites.  There are 2 bands playing here in the park.   A couple hours and we had our fill. So off to the store for a few supplies.  Bags full, we navigated our way through the crowd.  Everyone is munching on elephant ears, drinking brewkies, and kicking back listening to music.  We must have looked a bit odd carrying groceries . Back on board we dug into the Haagen’Dazs and sat back to listen to the bands.  
The sun has set and the anchor lights are on.   Another good day.