Cheboygan to Presque Isle, Michigan

July 6 - 9, 2012 Friday -Monday

We departed Mackinaw for Cheboygan.  This was a short trip under jib alone - another great day at sea.  We spent an extra night in Cheboygan, not for anything special just waiting for favorable winds.  We did some provisioning here.  It was a 2 mile walk to the grocery store.  Terry commandeered a drive back to the marina from the store manager.  We left Cheboygan at 0730 with NE and NW winds 5-10 kts and less than 2 foot waves.  We hoped for the 10 kt winds but they did not last for long.  When there are beautiful skies, sea and scenery one doesn't mind a little motoring.
We arrived in Presque Isle, Michigan  (July 8, Sunday) at 1730.  What a pleasant surprise!  This is a beautiful harbor, DNR owned and maintained.  If you are looking for night life this is not the place, but if you are into peace and quiet and natural beauty this is IT.  The only facilities here are a good restaurant, general store, and a pizza /ice cream parlor.
Presque Isle Harbor is one of Lake Huron's safest harbors of refuge.  The name for this peninsula come from the French, translate it means "almost and island".
This morning we awoke to another beautiful day and decided we needed to enjoy this place.  There are 2 lighthouses and some interesting history.  We walked to the "old" lighthouse built in 1840.  The last lighthouse keeper at the lighthouse,  Pat Garrity,  was appointed by Abraham Lincoln.  The Garrity sons continued lighthouse keeping until the "new" lighthouse was built in 1870.  A taller, more visible lighthouse was needed due to many shipwrecks.  The shipwrecks are marked and are visible.  The water here at Presque Isle is crystal clear.
We borrowed the free bicycles the Presque Isle "Yacht Club" provide, to reach the "new" lighthouse. We climbed the 136 steps to the top and tolerated our fear of heights to experience the cat walk outside for and incredible view.
There are hiking trails everywhere and we hiked the North Bay trail.  We were overwhelmed by the beautiful cedar trees and the scent of evergreens.  Most of the trails work their way around the shore.  We picnicked lunch on the shores of Lake Huron and topped a perfect day of play with a swim in the "bath water" temperature of the North Bay.
Presque Isle is a MUST stop by boat or car, but especially by boat.

Blue Dot..Where we are now

"Old" Lighthouse 1840

Biking the Isle

"New" Lighthouse

136 Steps to top of the Lighthouse

At the top

View from top of Lighthouse

Hiking Presque Isle Trails

North Bay (Swimming hole)

Mackinaw

July 5, 2012 Thursday


As storms passed through in the morning we finally had favorable winds and a weather report to set sail.  We left Beaver Island with Southwest wind 10-15 kts and 2 foot following seas.  "Chasseur" did not disappoint us.  We a reefed main and full head sail we averaged 5-6 kts with an occasional 7 kts.  We couldn't have ordered a more perfect day for this passage.  We felt like children navigating Grey's Reef and sighting the Mackinaw Bridge.  Excitement doubled as we sailed under the Bridge.  It surprised us at how small it seemed.  The trucks crossing looked like matchbox cars.    Another bucket list item checked off.  We realized that the Mighty Mackinaw Bridge was the northern most point we will have sailed our vessel (N45.48.96 Lat./W084.43.68Lon.). From this point forward we begin to work ourselves East and South.

Grey's Reef Lighthouse

Mackinaw Bridge

Excitement as we prepare to sail under the Mackinaw

Beaver Island II

June 28 - July 5, 2012

A little Beaver Island history...The Island's first inhabitants, referred to by the Odawa Indians as the "Ancient Ones", are known to have lived here as far back as between 2000 - 3000 B.C.  The Odawa were followed by the French , English, Mormon "King" James Jesse Strang (and followers), and the Irish immigrants of the mid 1800's.  "King" Strang booted the Irish off the island if they didn't join the Mormons.  Eventually  "King" Strang was assassinated (June 16, 1856) and an armed mob of 60 rounded up every Mormon man, woman, and child and herded them onto ships that lay waiting in the St. James Harbor.  This ended the Mormon chapter of Beaver Island history and the beginning of a long, proud Irish heritage that exists today.  Particularly noteworthy, the island also has a strong MSU fan base!
We had a magical extended stay on Beaver Island.  We needed the rest, so we decided to indulge ourselves in some R&R at this beautiful Northern Lake Michigan island.  We took a slip for 5 nights and anchored for 3.  On anchor we experienced blissful, heavenly days of warm weather and swimming.  We had some excitement with a nasty storm about 0400 on July 2, with winds up to 40 kts and a 2 foot chop in the very protected St. James Harbor.  Winds clocked us 180 degrees on anchor, and as Terry expected by watching other sailors anchoring earlier that day, one of them dragged and headed right for us, missing "Chasseur" by 10 yards.  Terry blew 5 short warning blasts on the horn alerting other anchored boats which brought other sailors out with lights.  The "loose" boat successfully avoided collision and re anchored.  The next morning, the loose boat skipper took a slip!

Beaver Island Lighthouse 1856

Suzanne resting on swim platform

Parade float: Band on top of lift

There is no better place to spend the 4th of July than on Beaver Island.  People come here from everywhere for it's quaint and funky parade and fireworks.  We barbecued at anchor with dear friend, fellow sailor and summer island resident Bill Schneider.  We enjoyed fireworks on our port.
A midnight swim was followed by a great sleep and dreams of sailing under the Mackinaw Bridge the next morning. 

Beaver Island

June 27, 2012 Wed.


We met fellow sailors Jack & Debbie Barkin on S/V (abbreviation for sailing vessel) "Iroquois" in Ludington.  We have bumped into them at every port since.  We left together for Beaver Island this morning, another beautiful sunny day.  Once again our NOAA weather forecast was not accurate.  We were expecting SW winds 10-20kts., not to be.  We had to motor sail all the way.  As we approached St. James Harbor, the winds increased suddenly to 30 kts.  Docking was a treat.  Jim the Harbor Master talked us through on radio and at the dock.  It was a successful landing.
This has been a reflective voyage.  We have so many memories sailing Lake Michigan.  As we passed Northport, Charlevoix, Little Traverse Bay, sighting the Point of Harbor Springs, we reminisced.
We feel fortunate to be working toward new memories with this adventure.
On this 60 mile stretch we were attacked by "Kamikaze" stable flies (biters).  "General Quarters" was sounded and all hands were on deck.  The enemy was defeated by the "Big Guns" (double fly swatters).  "Victory At Sea"!  The word went out from the Captain to the Admiral "We have met the enemy and they are ours"! (See Photo)
We were greeted by friend, Pat Bonadeo, a Beaver Island summer resident.  We enjoyed wine and cheese aboard "Chasseur" for the evening and made plans for Thursday.
We will be staying at Beaver Island for awhile to take advantage of the laid back, slower pace.  The crew will get some needed rest, relaxation and exercise.

Suzanne at the helm leaving Leland

St.James Harbor Lighthouse

Battle at sea, armed with the big guns

Preparing Dinner at Pat Bonadeo's house on Sand Bay

Beaver Island Ferry to Charlevoix

Leland, Michigan

June 27, 2012 Tuesday


Arrived in Leland at 1400 hrs.  We left Frankfort with hopes of a whole day sail with winds predicted to come from the west at 10mph. we sailed only for a couple hours of this trip.  It took a while for the wind to come up.  It was a beautiful sunny day at sea.

Uncle Karl and Aunt Kaye

We met with Uncle Karl and Aunt Kaye Kristen for dinner at "The Cove" restaurant, then ice cream at their beautiful home overlooking Lake Michigan.  Karl then tossed us into his van and we all took an exciting drive to see cousin Peg (&Ted's) new home 8 miles away!  We had a wonderful, albeit brief visit.  We leave for Beaver Island in the morning.

Frankfort, Michigan

June 23, 2012 Saturday

A later morning start, 1015 hrs we left Ludington for Frankfort, about 57 miles. Another day of low wind but no waves.  We motor sailed most of the way.  As the day progressed clouds developed to our west and continued to grow darker, radar looked threatening.  The clouds came behind us and in front of us but not over us.  We didn't get rain until we reached port.  Rain was light and brief.
We tied up at Frankfort Municipal Marina at 1925 hrs.  Forecast for next two days is North winds up to 25 mph and gusty with waves 2-4 feet (on the  nose).  We are staying in Frankfort waiting for this cold front to pass.
Frankfort, and a town called Elberta are ports on Betsie Lake.  "Chasseur" is tied up in Frankfort directly across the lake from Elberta.  There is a summer solstice festival in Elberta today and tonight.  The bands played all day and into the night, great free entertainment.  We enjoyed fireworks from our fantail. 
Frankfort is a "perfect" small town port.  City planners have done a wonderful job.  There is something for everyone here and in very good taste.  This is a quaint town, but not pretentious...our kind of place.  Frankfort was named after one of it's founders, Frank Martin, who arrived in 1855 and built a log stockade around his home to keep drifting snow from his door - neighbors jokingly called it "Frank's Fort".  So there you have it, "Frankfort".
Next stop will be Leland.  Probably Tuesday.

"A collision at sea can ruin your entire day."  Thucydides

Bob and Jenny Snideman

Our Grand Haven Hosts (and dear friends). Milwaukee Clipper in the background. (Muskegon)