Browning Looper Boat Trip: Aug.10,2011 Little Current, North Channel, Ont. to Leland, Michigan

I had a boring, long write-up set to add pictures to and lost it in cyberspace somewhere; fortunately, for any readers!! So, after much procrastination and fist banging, I’ll try, again. And, it will be shorter.

We are currently about one third down the Lake Michigan coast at a cute little town called Leland. We have been here for three days. After several days of smooth Lake Michigan waters and wonderful sunshine, we are seeing Lake Michigan when it is just plain gnarly!

We tried to leave for Frankfort yesterday. The weather prediction (most of the time lousy) was right at the bar we deem comfortable for travel. So, we eased out of the marina, expecting 15 knot winds out of the north to find the winds were really out of the south, against us. After about twenty minutes of slam banging and hearing from other boats that they were in the middle of thunderstorms, we said “nuts with this” ( not really the language used), and headed back to Leland Harbor Marina to a round of applause from other tied up boaters who knew something we didn’t.

Shortly after tying up, wicked thunderstorms, horrific wind hit and lasted on and off throughout the day. It is still quite windy and we will probably not leave tomorrow. That’s fine. It is good to stop and smell the roses (or sniff the white caps on the water!)

Michigan marinas are quite unique. Many (and they are quite modern and beautiful) are run by municipalities or the state. They all have great facilities and rock breakwaters that provide storm protection. They are called Harbors of Refuge or Safe Harbors. That means that when weather is bad, they will find a spot for every boat that needs to come in out of bad weather. That situation happened here. All slips were full, and several boats are now rafted to other boats or tied perpendicular to docks. The marinas don’t, however, take reservations; it’s all first come, first serve. That was a little nerve wracking at first. But we have learned to just get on the waiting list, and, as we travel, keep calling the marina. So far, it is working.

Now, to back track a bit. We left Little Current on July 27^th. (Seems like ages ago!). Little Current is really a misnomer; it should be called Big, Big Current. The current is swift and powerful. Some of the entertainment (after we bing-banged into the dock) was watching the struggles of other boats. Amazing how you how you can figure out how another boat should slither into a slip, but it just doesn’t quite work with your own boat.

We said goodbye for the time being to the Looper NOVA they were still checking out their engine) and travelled with Menous (Cajun for cat) from Pt. Arthur, La. We travelled to Kagawong and Gore Bay with them. In Kagawong, in the middle of the night, two schooners ( with just red and green travel lights) came creeping into the dock). Both schooners had teenagers on board who were learning sailing and teamwork. I went up to the large dock in my PJs (as did everyone else) to watch the landing. (The Captain and Skipper remained passed out!) There is something magical about watching boats at night; so much skill is required. And,that’s why we don’t travel at night.

Moving on, we were boarded by Canadian Customs (again) in Gore Bay; don’t know why, but all was fine. (Did we have guns, liquor, hideaways?) That seemed to push our decision to head back to the U.S. We were not far from Drummond Is., Mich. We re-entered the

on Sun. July 31^st. The Customs (kid) officer was right there waiting for us. (Did we have guns, liquor, hideaways and more than $10,000?)....Only in

America

!). We did fine, again!

Since then, we have traveled to Macinac Is. (kind of a mega Nantucket, but with cheaper slip fees!) No cars on the island! Just bikes, bikes, bikes and horse and carriages. In the winter, the 300 or so horses are returned to the mainland. (That must be some ferry ride! Phew!) We rode our bikes around the island for 8 miles. While the Captain and the Skipper sat in the shade, I took the $10.00 tour of the Grand Hotel. I skipped the $25.00 high tea. What luxury! Here we paid $49.00 for a slip and a room with a view at the hotel was over $300.00 a night.

Our next fun, and off the beaten path trip, was to Beaver Is. The trip to this island can be rough, but we waited for a calm day! Took the road tour of 42 miles of winding, hidden dirt roads. It is amazing the hidden history that seems to be everywhere. Once occupied by Irish immigrants, a group of Mormons (led by a man named John Strang) forced everyone off the island. Strang then declared himself King for four years until he was murdered. The Irish then populated the island, again, for the fishing and lumbering. The Irish still predominate. The visit was like stepping back into the fifties!

After visiting Chalrevoix for two days, we headed to Traverse City in Traverse Bay. Here, I met up with a high school classmate (who was also in my homeroom). We had talked about meeting up when we joined them at the last high school reunion, and we did it!!! We had an absolutely wonderful visit with them. Their gracious hospitality was so enjoyable. They took us by car (what’s that?) everywhere. We enjoyed their home and dining out. And, there is nothing like local knowledge. Thanks Mike and Margaret!

Now, we meet boats from Michigan, Wisconsin. Indiana, etc. We hear “oooh, Vermont” when folks walk by our boat. We have traveled 1600 nautical miles. Guess we are really away from home. The boat is behaving well!

We are just waiting for that weather window to continue our travels Frankfort will be our next stop. It is a wonderful adventure….Tune in…..Ginny and the crew