Sept 19 - 22

Well now... We've had a great few days!
We left Leland about noon after waiting out the  rain and wind that came through there the night before. Crazy wind! When we left it was still overcast and threatening rain. The  sun did come out and we ended up having a pretty nice sail. We pulled into Frankfort about 7:30.
We were yelled at by the fisher people on the warf as we came in. Seems as though we were invading their space. So  Skip got into a discussion with one of the locals. 
The next day, Tuesday, we left Frankfort and headed to Manistee. We  waited until 10:30 to leave because the fog was pretty bad. Once we got out, the wind was out  of  the South at 10-18 all day. We had waves and swells of 3-5 feet most of the day. As the day progressed however, the wind sat down and the waves decreased. And the sun came  out.
We were in Manistee for two  nights waiting out the wind and other weather. Actually on Wednesday the weather was beautiful. Lots of  sun AND lots  of  wind! The Harbormaster, Frank (assistant) and his wife  Laurie (who also works there) are so nice and very accomodating. Manistee is a great little town. Grocery is within walking distance and the Riverwalk is so pretty.
We left there this morning, Thursday, and headed to Pentwater. So here we are, moored at Snug Harbor for the night. We walked down to  the Brown Bear Bar for dinner and was pleasantly surprised! The food was so good and the service was excellent. The  place was crowded whichis always a good sign.
So  tomorrow we are headed  for Muskegon... the final leg of our trip. It's been an amazing summer.  We've seen some of  God's greatest works and been able  to  view some wonderful historic places. Best of all, we've met some incredible people along the way and had he pleasure of dear friends and family join us for  part of our adventure.
By the way, our tanks that supply gas for our stove and oven ran out several days ago. So not  to  be outsmarted by the CNG tanks, I improvised by using my electric skillet as a "hotplate". I've attached a picture for you to get a sense of what I'm talking about.
Love and blessings,
Margo and Skip

Sept 16 - 18

Hi Everyone!
It's been a few days since my last post so  let me catch you up.
Last Thursday, after looking at the weather for Friday (9/16, Buddy's Birthday!) we felt confident we would  be able to  leave Mackinaw City. So we got up early and  prepared to take off. We had been in Mac City since Monday when the Patberg's left us. The wind got pretty ugly Monday afternoon and stayed that way through Thursday. We finally got a break late Thursday night. Ugly winds are 20 knots, gusting to 30! Not  a good time  to be on the water!
So we took off, passed under the Mackinac Bridge and the engine light came on. The engine had overheated. So we put up  the sails, turned around and headed back to  Mac City. The wind died...  I mean there was no  wind at all. So we called for a tow. We  have BoatUS thankfully and  it was paid  for but what an irritation. It took the tow boat an hour and a half to get to us (came from Cheboygan!) and cost us $700!!
He pulled us  into the Mackinaw City Municipal Marina. Shepler's (a boat yard, repair  shop, etc.) is right  next door and were able  to  come and work  on the engine.  A couple  hours later, we were on our way again.
We were just short of the bridge when the engine light came on again. This time we were able  to sail back  into the marina.  Shepler's came back,  I went to the office to  pay for a night there and after a couple  of  hours,  Skip  felt sure the boat was okay. We  wouldn't know  for sure until we were in the lake. Oh Joy!!
So  Saturday morning we got up  early again and headed out. This time the engine worked just fine and we made it to Charlevoix and stayed there Saturday night. We left there Sunday morning in time to  catch the 8am draw bridge and headed to our next destination.
As always, Skip checked the  weather before we left and thought we would  have a decent sail as  we headed to Frankfort (our next stop). And we did have a good sail hitting 6-7 knots of boat speed. Once we  got into the opening of  Little Traverse Bay the wind picked up to 20 knots and stayed there the rest  of the day. We  were leaning pretty good! Things kept falling off the shelves  in the cabin - clothes, cutting boards, our fan! The  cabin looked like a teenagers bedroom!!! Stuff everywhere!!
We decided to pull into Leland instead of going all the way to  Frankfort. We  were both exhausted from fighting the wheel. 
So  here we are. In Leland and it's raining and the wind is supposed to  be  between 15-20 out of the South! We may or may not leave today!
Hope everyone is well. Kelly, I hope you  had fun visiting Wash. Chris said he drove your car while you were gone!!
Happy birthday to  Buddy  on 9/16 and to Katie on 9/19! You guys are growing up way to fast. Miss you a bunch.
Love  and blessings,
Margo  and Skip

Thursday Sept 15

Well we haven't moved since my last post! We  are still in Mackinaw City. The weather is not cooperating at all! Huge wind for the last 3 days. Ten to 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots with waves as much at 4-7. Not nice at all.
So we've taken a walk everyday; we're both reading like crazy; and we're still married!! ;-)
It appears as though the wind will die this afternoon and we'll be able to take off tomorrow morning. We're getting anxious to get home and see the family.
That's all for now. Back  to my book!!
Love and  blessings,
Margo and Skip

I've attached a couple of pics. This is where we are now. The Coast Guard boat in the background is an ice cutter. We may need that if we stay much longer - it  was in the 30's this morning!

Monday Sept 12

Well we left Mackinac Island this morning, bound for Mackinaw City. Pat and Melba's car is here and they will head home from here. In fact they are probably having lunch someplace as I enter this. We had a great two days on Mackinac Island. Pat and Melba visited the fort and then the four of us went on a carriage ride tour. Very interesting and entertaining.
Skip and I will be in Mac City for a few days it looks like. The weather is supposed to turn ugly tonight and continue into tomorrow. There are small craft warnings already issued for tomorrow so we won't even attempt that.
When we leave we'll be headed south back to Muskegon where we will winter the boat. If all goes as planned we'll be home by the first of Oct.

Love and Blessings,
Margo and Skip

Wed Sept 7 and Thurs Sept 8

We spent the dayWednesday
We spent the morning at the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point. Amazing display of maritime history. We've been sailling over these shipwrecks all summer  and the museum brought it all into perspective. The weather on Superior is very  fickle and can change at a moments notice. The museum brings that home  in a very real way. 
We also toured the lighthouse at Whitefish Point. It's the oldest lighthouse on all the Great Lakes. Very facinating stuff. 
Got back to  the boat and headed back to Sault Ste. Marie. It was a beautiful day for a sail. The wind was perfect and we were able to sail all the way to  the locks! At one point we were clocking 9.3 knots! Perfect day, probably the  best sail of our trip.
We locked through the American locks in the MacArthur lock. There was a crowd of people in the stands watching as we locked down to lower St.Mary's River.
We pulled in to George Kemp Harbor, tied up and headed to the Palace Saloon  for dinner. Great meal after a absolutely great day.

Thursday
We spent the day cleaning the boat, grocery shopping and waundering around the Soo. We did  go to the locks to  watch the process from the other side. Pat and Melba joined us for dinner. They will  be joining us on the boat tomorrow and Ed and JoAnne will be headed for home.. We've had so much fun with the Furniss's. Next year guys!!
Love and Blessings,
Margo and Skip

Monday Sept 5 & Tuesday Sept 6

Monday
We left De Tour Village this morning for a motor down the St. Mary's River headed to Salt Ste. Marie. It  was cold when we left De Tour at noon. We waited for the wind to die down before we left. That made for a long day as we didn't arrive at the Soo until 8 at nine. We got tied up and walked to a nearby restaurant for dinner. By the time we got home it was almost 10!
What a day!

Tuesday
A great day on the water today... lots of sunshine but no wind at all. Saw lots of freighters and tankers today and not much else!
So we are at Whitefish Point now, took a walk on the beach and are now having poo poos on the deck while wild rice soup cooks away below.
I'm attaching pics of Ed and JoAnne and Skip and I at Whitefish. Gracie, the picture is for you!
Love and blessings,
Margo and Skip

Sunday Sept 4

What an absolutely georgous day to sail! Wind from the West at 12-18 knots with waves between 3-5! Wonderful stuff! We used the spiniker at first because the wind was about 3-5 but it wasn't to long before we brought  the spiniker in and had the main up. We were traveling at about 7.5 and 9 knots.
What a day! And we had that from Mackinaw Island to De Tour Village.
As we were sailing, some of us were reading; someone at the helm; somebody taking a nap. Just a great sail and a lazy day.
We got to De Tour Village and refuled and got a pump-out. It was crazy coming into the dock. The wind had really picked up at that point.
We got tied up and walked into town. Ed and JoAnne have not been hear before. We ended up at the local saloon for an after sail beverage and some snacks.
Came back to the boat and played cards before dinner. Skip won $12! Lucky duck!
Fixed dinner and now we're all just hanging out listening to BB King and Eric Clapton between gusts of wind!
Miss everyone so much. We'll be home soon!
Love  and  Blessings,
Margo and Skip

Saturday Sept 3

Well the day began with a bunch of rain but cleared off in the afternoon. We decided to rent bikes and take a tour of the island. We rode up to Arch Rock for our first jaunt. And guess what happened?! Yep, I took another spill, landing on the same knee that I injured at Beaver Island.
I think I have finally realized that the word "bike" does not belong in my vocabulary! So be it!
So after a bit I came back to the  boat while Skip, JoAnne and Ed continued their ride. Bummer!
After they got back we went to the "putt-putt" course. This is like nothing you've ever seen. No bridges or windmills, but rather real grass! Just like a putting green. We really had a good time doing that.
JoAnne and Ed did a little shopping and I read and I'm not sure what Skip did. :-)
So we fixed dinner - pork chops, fried apples and augrautin potato's. So good.
Tomorrow we head for DeTour so it's up early and on our way. The winds are supposed to build all day and we want to get there before that happens.
Love and Blessings,
Margo and Skip

Friday Sept 2

We spent a great day touring Fort Mackinac. Here's your history lesson for today.
From 1000 BC to 1650 AD the first summer visitors to Mackinac Island were the Great Lakes American Indians who paddled here every summer to fish for  trout,  pike, sturgeon, herring and whitefish. These early visitors considered the island to be a sacred place and named it "Michilimackinac".
European settlement in the Straits of Mackinac began in 1671 when Father Jacques Marquette esablished a mission to Huron Indians on Mackinac Island. A year later, ghe mission was moved to  the north side of  the Straits and, around 1708, to the south shore near present day Mackinaw City. Here, the French soldiers constructed Fort Michilimackinac, a strategic depot for the upper Great Lakes fur trade.
Michilimackinac remained a French outpost until 1761 when British soldiers took control after their victory in the Seven Years War.
From 1779-1781, during the American Revolution, the British dismantled Michilimackinac and moved the garrison and fur trade community  to Mackinac  Island. Fearing an American attack, the British wanted a more defensible location for their fort. Mackinac Island, with it's limestone bluffs, proved to be the perfect place for such a fort. The civilian fur trade community established the village around the bay below the fort. The fort and island became United States territory because of the American victory during the Revolution.
So today we took a walking tour of the fort. It houses the oldest hospital in Michigan and one of the first bath houses. We watched as "soldiers" demonstrated firing their 100+ year old rifles and the cannon. Each of the buildings in the fort are original, built by the Army and used by soldiers more than one hundred years ago. We learned that enlisted men earned between $13 and $34  per month while officers earned between $1,400 and $2,500 per year.
We had a wonderful time at the fort and the view from there is simply amazing.
We continued our walking tour after the fort, until the rains came. Later, after it cleared, we took our grill up to the picnic tables and grilled burgers. Yummy!
Not sure what tomorrow will bring as the weather isn't lookin' to good!  Big storm coming!
Love and Blessings,
Margo and Skip

Thursday Sept 1

We woke to a beautiful sunshiney day! We all showered, and headed out for breakfast at Dalwhinnie's Bakery & Deli here on Beaver Island. It was wonderful! We had something called an Eggle - fluffy scrambled eggs with cheese, diced tomato's and thinly sliced red onion pieces on an everything bagle. Yummee!!
After breakfast we said good-bye to Beaver Island and headed to Mackinaw Island. The wind was on our nose all day making for impossible sailing. Plus the wind kept building all day to as much as 15 knots with waves 3-4 feet. That made for a bumpy ride to Mackinaw and no sailing.
We arrived at Mackinaw Island around 7, got tied up and went to the Village Inn for dinner. Oh my goodness... it was soooo goooooodd! Ed and I both had broiled Cedar Planked Whitefish. Not only was it tasty but it was beautifully presented as well.
Gonna tour the fort tomorrow so we're off to bed.
Love and Blessings,
Margo and Skip

Aug 31 Wed

We left Petoskey this morning and had a wonderful sail all day - 6 hours of sailing! It was a little overcast with a bit of rain but a lovely sail in spite of that. Winds were from the Southwest  at about 8-12 knots.
Ed and JoAnne Furniss joined us yesterday and will be with us for about 10 days or so. It's fun to have friends from home come to visit.
We pulled into Beaver Island about 5:45, got tied up and walked to the Harbor Market to pick up a few things I forgot this morning! Hard to believe that after spending all that money I forgot something. But alas I did.
Last night in Petoskey we went to a little bistro called Pallette. Amazing meal and great service.  I hightly recommend it.
We're off to bed for  the night. Big day tomorrow... on our way to Mackinac Island.
Love and Blessings,,
Margo and Skip