Da U.P. to Canada

sunset Government Bay

28  June  2015

Wilderness Bay.  Les Chenaux Islands.  Upper Peninsula.  Michigan. 

we are a SAILboat!!!  we were able to sail, wing and wing all the open waters here.  about 4.5 knots.  12 nautical miles.  temps were comfortable.  

the harbor: although there are a few houses strewn throughput the bay, is pretty desolate.  

 29 June

we headed for shore via dingy, to Hessel.  

the hustle and bustle of down town Hessel

happy 13th birthday 13th Nolan (and Sandy)  ! Government Bay … we wove our way through the passage following the channel closely … at times only 30 - 40 feet of leeway… this area is know for wooden boats, most every residence has a boat house to house their craft. Dollar Island, a funny little spit of land (rock) with a conglomeration of structures… had to be less than half an acre… 

Government Bay : our anchorage  was fairly quite.   water temps in the 60’s… it is getting warmer!    ‘almost Gumbo’ for dinner (no okra)

30 June

Hessel beach 

off to Harbor Island.  luckily the wind was from the east and on the nose so the solar panels get a rest and the motor can generate some energy (again)  and warm up the cabin…. Lake Huron was calm, the winds from north-east so we could motor sail.  fairly uneventful.  freighters.  trawlers.  sail boats.  heading in various directions.  light house off to port (left) marking the channel to De Tour Passage.  

I think I’ll make some hot cocoa… mmmm … tasty …. the mugs and I head below and discover I made a mess with the water when I poured it.    wow.    I really made a mess… ?  how could I have spilled sooo  much water ???   !!!!!    

…dear mom, (either one: Helen or Jean) skip the next paragraph !!!!

boat house  ...

Jiiiiiiiim, …   we have water below !!!!!   on high alert, we both went into search and rescue mode.…  the bilge pump is functioning …  pumping excess water over board…  sea cocks closed (valves that allow water into the boat from below the water line)  ….  open all floor boards …
(allows a peek into the bilge where water accumulates to be pumped overboard) … the water is coming from aft (back) of boat… getting closer!   …. The cock-pit locker (storage) is emptied and we discover our new sail has bumped a hose that feeds the fridge / freezer line to keep it cool…  with the boat healing (leaning to the port / left side) water is streaming in the now dislodged opening.  normally this is above the water line, today, sailing… it is under water … re-attach the hose ! ….   wheeeew!     crisis averted!

boat house ...

Although  is was not an ideal situation, we worked together, quickly and efficiently.  we diagnosed the problem and fixed it.  It felt REALLY good after the fact.  nothing more than a wet floor in the galley (kitchen) … the floors are now nice and clean …  insert smiley face! 

continuing on,  we made the passage through De Tour Village and on to Harbor Island. 

the anchor set.  to top off the afternoon,  a quick storm front passed through.  20 knots for about  45 minutes…  white caps … lots of swing on the anchor but it held tight.  

getting their moneys worth out of Dollar Island Realestate ...

all quiet now.  dinner: a copy cat recipe from ‘Grey Gables’…. I did some research and found a fairly close match… A mustard, cream sauce (over pork chops) with rosemary, garlic potatoes and creamed corn.  red wine.  Willy Nelson accompanies us this evening as we toast another day of living a life… less ordinary  :) 

dessert… apple, cranberry crisp 

our neighbors: a pair of Sand Hill Cranes and 2

Bald Eagles… a few Terns as well.  one nice size Buck.  it is so still out now our boat has drifted around and sitting next to our anchor float and line.  is marks where the anchor sits on the bottom.  

tomorrow…. ooooh Caaanadaaaa … (sing with me) 

De Tour Passage Light House 

Blind River… the Q flag… customs …

It’s Canada Day   !!!

1 July ’15

Canada Day 

on to Blind River

we bundled up and headed out of Harbor Island
by 7:45.  cloudy and breezy.  I warmed the cabin and us with lasagna for lunch.  outside, the sun warmed things up by mid day.  sweaters off.  sunny.  then sweaters back on and cloudy.  we sailed some but in the end we had to use the ‘iron wind’, again.  Jim raised the Q flag (quarantine) after crossing the liquid boarder to signify we have not yet registered with authorities.  

Blind River to port and a quick stop at the fuel dock for a pump-out…. then to a slip for the evening.  a phone call and we cleared customs and the ‘Q’ came down and was replaced by the ‘Maple Leaf’.  

Roy the harbor master told us there would be live music and fireworks here tonight in honor of

De Tour Passage ferry 

Canada Day.   tomorrow we’ll use the bikes to get some grub for the boat for the next few days.  we plan to anchor out for several days weaving in and out of the islands here.     

we think they are egg sacks,  do you know what they are ?

ready for customs ..

the music tonight is a local woman, Louis LeMeuix singing to music CD’s.  she’s quite good.   for her second set, she dedicated a song to jim… ‘hey, Michigan… this ones for you.’ jim had requested some bluegrass and she played 'Good Ole' Rocky Top'...  we applauded with the boat horn… ‘ thanks Michigan, I heard that’ ….  it is so fun meeting
new people and happening upon these fun local gatherings.  

fireworks at dark.  

lots of fishing nets to dodge