Heck of a ride...

Pentwater

17 June 2015

Tuesday.  We had a heck of a ride.  Weather report said 15-20 knots out of the north,  just where we were headed.  Temps in the mid 50's.  Water 47 degrees.  Sun shining.  We bundled up, and headed out.  Life jackets on.
In hopes of making some ground with the 'somewhat' favorable wind, we headed off shore hoping to round Little Sable Point with only one tack.

 

Livin' the dream 

Over 20 miles and 4 1/2 hours later... We made the waypoint and changed our heading toward Pentwater....  only 7 miles to the good so far.  The waves had grown from 2 - 3's to consistant 4's with a few extras every now and then just for fun...  The wind was fairly consistent at 18- 20 knots, on the nose.  We were taking green water over the bow constantly with copious amounts funneling into the cockpit... for several hours.  It was pretty amazing.  Just as we would get up to speed (4.5 knots) we would hit head on to a considerable wave and it would just about stop the boat...  We found a few new minor leaks but the boat did great!
Our  original  30 mile voyage  turned into 10 hours and over 60 miles ....
Wind on the nose the whole time.
We are livin' the dream!
Exhausted and through the pier head, we hailed the marina and took a berth at Snug Harbor, Pentwater.  Long, hot showers then dinner at the Antler Bar (the horneiest bar in Michigan! ) helped to rejuvenate the crew.

Arcadia sunset 

Wednesday we were met with calm seas and little wind.  More motoring but the sun was out and the flies were not.  We passed several ships, a tug boat and a few pleasure craft.  It was a relativly easy jaunt to Arcadia.  A shallow inlet.  Very peaceful.  We had the bay to ourselves.  Oven casserole helped to warm the cabin.  Eva Cassidy accompanied us through dinner.

Boaters midnight (9:00) then sunset and we were still up!  Grateful for this opportunity...

Thursday

Frankfort Light 

We left Acadia late morning and attempted to sail.  Flat seas. Little wind.  2 knots / hr would put us into Frankfort  .... Never ?   So, sails furled and engine on.  Rain threatening all around.   Fog crept in.  We estimated visibility about 2 miles since the 'boat' on AIS was 2.5 miles away and couldn't be seen.  We secured the boat at Jacobson's Marina just as the fog enveloped the harbor.  Visibility, one boat length at best.  A ship sounding it's horn numerous times alerting others of it's arrival was a bit eerie. It made it's way past the marina and docked, all the while shrouded in fog.
An hour or so later, the fog cleared out.  Sun shining.
Hot showers and a call to a friend in the area meant a good chat and bonus photo shoot.  Aubrieta is an amazing landscape photographer and calls northern Michigan her home away from home.  Her images can be found in numerous shops in the area.
She was gracious enough to give a lift to the grocery store and back.  We had dinner aboard, grilled tuna steaks and veggies.  Finished with fresh, up-north strawberries and ice cream.

Then the 'golden hour' was upon us... On deck, Aubrieta was snapping pictures of the boat and us.  The other dock mates must have thought we were  'somebody'  because they were taking pictures of Aubrieta taking pictures of us.... Tooooo funny.



Friday we took the marina bikes around town.  Jim's bike had a wet seat.  Consequently when he disembarked... a wet fanny.  He was tempted to ask a store clerk where to find the Depends....

Wing and Wind off Sleeping Bear Dunes

Tonight's dinner at  'Fusion'.  We've heard numerous reports that this sleepy little hamlet has a secret hidden behind their doors.  It more than lived up to it's reputation.  the food was superior.  the service was great.  the setting was beautiful.  The prices reasonable.  We finished the evening with a movie.  Spy.  pretty darn funny.  Rated R.  upon reflection (spoiler alert)  there were NO nude women scenes of any kind ... quite a few 'f' bombs though .... go see it if you aren't too offended by language and some  ~

Saturday.
We are off to South Manitous Island!  ...   Not.
Once again mother nature is messing around with us and our repeated attempts to get to the Manitous.   The wind is forecast to be out of the east (bad for anchoring out there).  We have tried to sail / anchor there every time we have gone through this passage.  At least 5 times!  Every time we are thwarted! Bad weather, wind from the east, engine trouble, fog, inadequate gound tackle (anchor)...
so we are heading to Leland.   Fish town.  Smoked White Fish sausage on the table tonight.

I love my little garden !

Before leaving Frankfort, we went to the farmers market to get some herbs and maybe some treats.  Instead I bought a garden...  It is so awesome!  Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.  Makes you want to break into song doesn't it?  It will be interesting to see if I can keep them alive for any period of time.  I have NO green thumb.  My parents and siblings confiscated it all before I came about... I have even killed rhubarb.  But the price was the same for cut fresh herbs as it was for the garden so.  we'll see.

The garden is stowed in the sink while underway and we are off.  sunny.  warm.  lovely east wind.    yippee!  this could be at the best sailing day so far this season.

Only one long sleeve shirt on.  the Lake is flat.  contemplating the spinnaker but decide on wing and wing: sails offset to each other.  nice for down wind sailing.

Projects ... new preventer line for the boom 

3 hours later.  no wind.  sails down.  then 18 knots from the west and clouds building.  a bit of rain. So on with the rain gear sipping some hot cocoa-coffee.  temps have taken a nose dive again.  sails up.  wind all but dies.  then more motor sailing.  cloudy.... all in about and hours time.  Jim loves to sail this boat though so he doesn't seem to mind too much about the up and down with sails with the fickle wind.
He has the sail plan rigged really well and continues to come up with new contraptions for making the rigging and sail handling go easier and efficiently.

We made port and the Leland Municipal Marina dock hands were incredible with line handling for tie up.  thank you!
Aubrieta came back tonight with her sister Julie in tow visiting from the East Coast.  Dinner aboard and great conversation again.

dinner with friends