We woke up to a beautiful day with very little wind and were ready to move. Queen Kathleen and Quest both needed fuel and a pump out and we were at the fuel dock at 7:30 when they opened so we could get a good start for the 50 mile run to Mackinac Island. We pulled out of the marina at 8 a.m. to a choppy St. Marys River of 2 to 4 foot waves, but we pressed on thinking that Lake Huron would be better .... WRONG!! As we rounded the light to turn west it got worse .. so worse in fact that I was concerned that if we tried to turn around the 4 to 6 foot (mostly 6 foot) waves would turn us over. The first 25 miles or so was hell. Water actually came over the front decks. I could hear stuff flying around down stairs but could only wonder if Ricki was OK.
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| Ricki's Rough Water Position |
When things did settle down to 2 to 4 foot waves and I could put the boat on auto pilot, I went down stairs to make sure Ricki was OK plus see if she could give me a potty break. There she was ... in bed with pillows protecting her from flying objects in a life jacket with a whistle in case she went overboard. Rumor has it she even secured all the doors between her and the outside so she could get out if we sank!
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| Mackinac Island Ferry |
We did make it without incident to Mackinac Island shortly after noon. I found that the faster we ran the better the boat took the waves on the bow. Since Queen Kathleen is a single screw trawler they arrived about an hour after we did.
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| Coming into the Marina |
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| Transportation on the Island |
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| Fudge Shop |
One of the main things the island is know for is fudge. There are many fudge shops here and we watched the process of making fudge.
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| Quest in the Marina |
We are told that many weddings happen every day here. This was on a porch across from the marina.
Along with Queen Kathleen and Seaquel we went to a restaurant called the Woods. Since it was in the woods quite a ride from the marina we went by horse taxi.
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| Mackinac Island Harbor |
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| Our view |
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| Nice Gardens |
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| Grand Hotel |
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| The Rules |
The dress rules are actually posted along the drive to the hotel. The taxi took us right through the hotel grounds. If you try to walk on the grounds or even across the porch you will be stopped and charged $10 bucks for that privilege.
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| Another Nice Flower Garden |
With such a short growing season here we wondered how they got so pretty so quick.
We got to the restaurant after a 45 minute buggy trip up the hill.
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| Dinner at The Woods |
Our 7 p.m. dinner made us getting back to the marina after 9:30 p.m. but it was great.
Since we could only get a one day reservation at the marina we are on a list for cancellations for another day or two.
Tomorrow we will play tourist then Ricki has a hair appointment in the afternoon. Neither one of us has seen hair salons since Burlington, VT in mid June so we are more than due.
N 45 50.993 W 084 36.893
FYI A very popular place for hair, body and soul is at Grand Harbour Marina at Pickwick, It was very busy there as the loopers arrived prices are good service is wonderful. Massages and all. Great place to get prettied up before the rondevzous.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a dreadful day at sea I feel for you. Lake Michigan can be tough but if you pick your days carefully, leave early in the morning and get off the lake by 12-1pm all is good. Be sure to travel on the good days as we found its a good week if you travel 4 out of 7. But the towns along the way are super.
Safe travels and ENJOY the journey!