Wyandotte to Metro Beach Metropark (Lake St. Clair)

A cement truck "really"

This morning as I climbed out of the boat to go across the street, I noticed a cement truck in the parking lot. There was a rough spot in the pavement near the boat and they were about to fill it. I mentioned to the cement truck driver that I really had enough ballast and to please keep the concrete on the deck. They did a fine job on the concrete and filled several areas around the grounds. Some things that happen on a trip are quite unexpected.

We finally were able to contact the Metro Beach Metropark this morning and made a reservation for tonight and tomorrow night. About 11:00 we left the dock and began our journey north to Lake St. Clair.

Steel Mill Experiences from the early 70's

Detroit really looks good from the water and Dennis reminisced about his days at US Steel in Gary, IN as we passed the US Steel plant here in Detroit. Blast furnaces, BOP shop the 80” hot strip mill, cold rolling facilities and the finishing shop. These are all a smaller size than those at Gary Works, here there are three blast furnaces, when at Gary Works there were 13. Then on to downtown Detroit, nice area nestled by the river as viewed from the river. The GM building is beautiful and has 4 towers around a central core, all glass and a nice addition to their skyline.

Carol at the helm

We decided to take the left fork of the river that favors the American side, however, after a fighter jet buzzed us several times at 300 feet we felt either really special to have this private air show or really in trouble for doing something wrong. As the sheriff boat approached we thought maybe the latter. This branch of the river was closed and we needed to take the other fork. There was indeed an air show on the river and not just for us.

Then around the island and on to Lake St. Clair, when shopping for boats several years ago we saw a boat both at the St. Clair Yacht Club and one at the Great Lakes Steel Boat Club, Neat to see these places again from the water. Across Lake St. Clair to the entrance to the Metropark, the approach was a bit sketchy a range line I could not see and charted depth of 6 feet bordered by 4 and 3 foot areas. Once in the channel the depth was fine and the amenities wonderful. (By boating definition Wonderful=electricity and hot showers)

Detroit Skyline, under the Ambasador Bridge



Some boats are larger others smaller, room for evereyone

As we pulled into our assigned slip we approached a picnic table with a bunch of folks having lunch. We thanked them for inviting us to their table and discussion banter ensued. They all came aboard to see the boat and we think we have some new friends in Detroit.

The Metropark is quite cool with a 1000 ft. swimming beach, pool, tram that circles the grounds, roller blading area, nature trails, windsurfing and kiteboarding launch area, a par 3 golf course, mini golf, playground, and marina; 770 acres in all.

The Canadian Side