Masts are down

Masts came down yesterday in Buffalo NY at RCR Marine. Highly recommend them as they are professional, personable and know what they are doing. Right now they are in the process of securing them on the boat in their cradles. We will be headed to the Erie Canal by noon! As mentioned before, it has been a 'destination Buffalo' to begin our trip. We don't know why, but we have been anxious to arrive here to begin the Canal. It's like sailing Lake Michigan for us - the trip doesn't start until we get at least as far North as Frankfort.

Mark was a lucky swimmer leaving Dunkirk harbor on Monday. He once again had to remove seaweed and other floating debris from the thru hull. Next time the boat is hauled we'll be pursuing the possibility of a better way to 'screen' the thru hull! Trust me. In an earlier posting on Dunkirk being a Deliverance moment....fellow boaters will understand this. When we left their dock, we were told by Deliverance Man to be sure we 'gitcher bumpers up'...! We will remember Dunkirk.

The Erie Canal has 34 locks. The RCR manager informed us yesterday that 2 are closed due to flooding from Hurricane Irene. These locks are closer to the Hudson River. However, this morning came the news that one is damaged. Several boaters close to these canals are tied to the wall waiting. Our adventure just became more adventuresome!

One day at a time. One assurance: God is always with us.

Dunkirk, New York

Decided to make some miles before the winds of Hurricane Irene and it's just time to get to Buffalo and begin the Erie Canal. Our next port will be Buffalo NY! It's an unspoken thing but we both feel that getting to Buffalo is where the trip begins! Just have to get to Buffalo.

Most of the ports on Lakes Huron & Erie that we've harbored in are suffering from the economy. It is very sad to see car dealerships, industry, mom & pop stores empty and for sale. The impact on the smaller communities has been huge. Dunkirk is one of these cities.

So....we motored into the harbor, found where we were to dock and saw this man slowly wandering down the dock to help us. Oh my, thought we're part of Deliverance! If banjos started playing this boat would have been in reverse faster than fleas on a dog. The office is beyond dirty but we got a head key! Had to peek in, just had to....remarkably clean.

Time to put another line on the boat as winds are kicking up. Tomorrow's forecast is such that we will sit tomorrow and possibly Monday.

Erie PA

Left Fairport Harbor, Grand River OH, this morning and motored to Erie PA. As usual, zero wind! Grand River is a 3-corner village with 2 restaurants. Period. Nothing else but the harbor. You know how we like the finer places...ha. The restaurant we chose was a Fish House and it was the best! Every fish item was from local waters? Not sure about the lobster.

Long day motoring however comfortable with no winds, no waves. Enjoyed another day of reading and napping. Erie PA has civilization! We are at a downtown marina surrounded by highrise hotels. We came in under the skyway for the Sheraton Hotel. Kinda raises the anxiety level when you wonder if the mast will really clear. After docking and getting the a/c turned on, we want you to know that we became very proud parents: Chester found the meaning of the 'poop deck'. Good boy Chester! Guess he just couldn't wait any longer.

Wondering what Hurricane Irene will do to our weather.

The Boy

Sailor Boy Chester

Cleveland Rocks! Cleveland Rocks!

We're docked in Cleveland! The place where Drew Carey told us for years that it Rocks! Yes, we will be touring the Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame today. Arrived here Monday after Lake Erie's own version of rock 'n roll. Tuesday we rented a car and back-tracked to pick up a GPS card in Sandusky. Cars really go fast! Picked up some oil, few groceries, nail clippers for Chester and went to Subway...oh how you miss the little things that become big treats. Lots of wind, some storms so sitting still another day, heeling in the slip and watching weather. Watching Hurricane Irene too to see what is in store for Lake Erie with wind, storms and rain.

Buffalo is about 150 miles from Cleveland via water. In Buffalo we have our masts taken down, cradles built to store them on the boat and begin the Erie Canal. So we probably have 3 days in Buffalo while everyone is busy including Mark. Again, watching Irene to see what happens. Cannot control the weather but we can make it easier on ourselves!

Anxious to leave Lake Erie - not our favorite lake. Spoiled with Lake Michigan depth, cleanliness, shoreline, and the many harbors we have. Maybe its all what you're used to but we love Lake Michigan!

St Clair River, Lake St Clair, Detroit River to Lake Erie

Port Huron to the St Clair River was new territory to us both. We left Port Huron following Kiskadee, owned by Bill & Lynn Turner, with destination of their yacht club, Grosse Pointe YC. The Turner's were gracious and made arrangements for us to spend the night. The YC is top-notch with many amenities. We docked stern-to-stern with a 70' Hylas registered in Marshall Islands. Okay, we drooled. Alot.

The next morning casted off with destination of Put-In-Bay in Lake Erie. Rivers are dotted with markers & buoys all over the place for depth and navigation. Thank God for a good GPS! Alot of industry along the US side especially with Great Lakes Steel. Further south were elegant houses with manicured lawns. Its easy to become frustrated with so much industry on our waters edge until you see all the freighter traffic at their docks. The Detroit River lead us into Lake Erie.

Lake Erie is quite shallow in comparison to Lake Michigan. It is difficult to sail along knowing we are only going to see depths of 30 ft. We are assuming that it is the time of year that so many weeds are floating throughout the lake. We reached Put-in-Bay, grabbed a mooring ball and enjoyed the water taxi service. Even Chester liked riding to shore in the taxi! Rented a golf cart to tour the island and were surprised how big and populated the island is. Oh boy, the island is most definitely a party hard island!

Remember the weeds? They suck into a water intake for engine cooling. Mark got to swim this morning at 8 a.m. When he surfaced, I smiled but didn't have the heart to immmediately tell him he was garnished with seaweed. Being the sensitive wife that I am (and his humor was well, lacking), I just picked it off from him on the boat....
Tonight we are in Huron OH where there is music in the bandshell, a sweet classic boat show and a better way to end the day. It's a nice place. Good night all.

Port Huron

It was a short jaunt to Port Huron from Port Sanilac, about 5 hours by the time we went up river to the marina. It is a much more populated area than we have experienced on Lake Huron thus far! Did we sail today? No. We are in a marina on the river across from very nice condos or townhouses where they can dock their boats outside their front door. Off our bow is a large lawn with trees much to Chester's delight and ours too since the walk is much shorter for Chester's necessary moments.

We entered the river and needed to wait for 2 bridges to open. I was surprised at the Black River opening off the St Clair River expecting a well-marked entrance into a wide river. Wrong on both counts! Mark had been here before for a start of a solo race and just took it in stride. Have to say I questioned if he made the right turn! The GPS was right on target and so was Mark. We are where we are supposed to be and having a good time.

Port Sanilac on Lake Huron - 26 nm North of Port Huron

Winds and waves calmed considerably and this morning we headed out with destination of Port Sanilac. Motorsailed most all the way. Met fellow sailors aboard Kiskadee, a 46' Jeanneau, returning to their homeport of Gross Pointe and have been port hopping together since Harrisville. Each of us comment on its either too much wind or not enough.....seems to be the plight of this trip but only so far. Tonight begins chart and cruising guide reading since in a couple of days we will be entering waters new to us both.

Our 'onboard routine' is establishing itself. We have fallen into who does what when and where kind of thing. Makes life easier.

today we sit

Storms, strong winds & gusts, big waves prompt us to sit it out in Port Austin. Today is the day for some maintenance, cleaning, cooking and a nap.

Port Austin on Lake Huron

Okay so its been a few days and time to catch up the blog. We left Mac Island Thursday a.m. for Presque Isle and motorsailed part of the way. Presque Isle is a very small, quiet marina with an on-site restaurant and busy boat launch.
Friday a.m. we headed to Harrisville with winds on the nose and lots of chop. Quite an uncomfortable ride by all with rain on & off all the way. Shared the bumpy waters with several freighters which is always a treat. However watching Chester slide around on the cockpit floor when he refuses to sit, not such a treat but he is such a good dog! The town is about 1 block long with an IGA store, restaurant, ice cream station, etc.
Saturday a.m. after discussion and watching all the storm/rain cells on the GPS weather, we take off for Port Austin. Every storm cell went around us! And where was the wind? Do I really need to answer this? On-the-nose. Putting up the sails, cutting the engine...it will happen one of these fine days.
We are truly blessed with God's protection and each other.

Beaver Is to Mackinaw Island

Headed out early for Mac....winds were upper teens to 20s and waves very choppy from the wrong direction. Let out a small amount of headsail only and ran sevens...very uncomfortably. Had to motor thru Grays Reef because we were dead downwind. Turned the corner into the straits and sailed again. Then a warning came across the GPS...storms, high wind, possible hail, the whole shot. Lu and Chester went down below to hide and sleep. As it came in I rolled in the jib,started the motor and donned foul weather gear. Storms came and went all the way to Mac. Motor sailed again until wind died.

We got a slip at the island...Lu talked about a shower and kissing the ground.

Forecast for today, Wed, is 30 kts of wind and 7 ft waves....we stayed put!

Tomorrow we head south on Lake Huron

Beaver Island

No wind seems to be our fate! When you cannot even motor sail, it's more than just calm. Three freighters were on our route today! The Sykes was off our stern and we decided we probably should be the ones to alter our course and let them continue on with theirs. Afterall, they weigh alot more than our boat (tonnage rules!). Freighters are a magnificent sight on Lake Michigan. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we head to Mackinac Island with a forecast of WIND! from the SSW. and rain. LuAnn's only request is to go to the Misson Resort outside restaurant/bar and watch a few freighters go by. Life is good and God is great.

Leland Harbor

Northern Michigan is breathtaking whether on land or water. The dunes along the northern Michigan shoreline are unspoiled for miles.

At 7:30 a.m. we left Frankfort and headed north to our destination of Leland Harbor. With the threat of storms we didn't waste time but unfortunately once again, light air and then it died. Initially it was a little bit bumpy with waves from the aft quarter but soon flattened out. Do
they make boat shoes for dogs? About a mile from the Leland entrance we noticed the wind picking up and the storm clouds rolling in. Leland Harbor is a small, man-made enclosure and is a Harbor of Refuge meaning no matter what they keep packing boats in for protection. As we entered the harbor and turned toward our dock the wind blasted and well, one stanchion is now somewhat angled. We docked, turned on the a/c, watered the dog, and went for ice cream!

On the First Day of the Journey

Left the fuel dock around 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 4, with the comment of "man, this boat is loaded". Huh, how did that happen?! No wind, no waves = motoring. Finally a start. As with all starts, we had to stop and start again. We travelled 32 miles the first day! Around 5 p.m. we noticed the engine appeared to be overheating. Luck would have it that we were close to the Muskegon pierhead and decision was to scoot into Torresons for diagnostics. Mark talked them into looking at it right away and fortunately, it ended up being a bad sending unit. Like all repairs, a $100 later we are on the road again!

Tonight we are in Ludington. After finally getting started on this cruise we are feeling rather exhausted so are not pushing the way we originally planned.

Chester the Dog has been a dream. He has a strong, big bladder because he has no intentions of going anywhere but on land! This will continue to be a challenge for all.

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The Journey Begins

Today we begin our adventure with much calmer winds than yesterday. Yesterdays wind and waves, building 5-8' caused us to rethink leaving and sticking with our original cast off of today. Friends are picking us up at home around 10 a.m. and we anticipate being on the water no later than noon today. The blog will be updated whenever internet connection is available.

We're ready. How far we go today depends on how we feel. Isn't that grand?

Bon Voyage