Detour to Mackinaw City

We crossed Lake Huron today through the Round Island Passage to Mackinaw City in sight of the big bridge. East south East breeze with two foot waves on the port aft quarter, not a sea the auto pilot likes, so we steered manually. Eight miles from the Passage the fog became quite dense with about a quarter of a mile of visibility. In addition, there are 3 very active ferry services between Mackinaw Island and either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. So we have dense fog, ferries moving through the Passage, and the Passage is known for a strong current and stiff waves. All of the boats traversing the area make a Securite’ call on the VHF radio to let other boaters know they will be making a crossing. Well it was a bit tense with a couple of surprises as breakwalls appeared close by and the lighthouse jumped out in front of us, the current also produced three or four strong waves in the middle of all the confusion. On a positive note one of the ferries called back on the radio to ask our direction and altered his course as he passed us.

We walked into town this afternoon, Mackinaw City is a tourist town with more fudge shops than residents, a really nice clean Michigan town. John Leatherman the Mackinaw City Harbor Host just stopped by to offer us a ride to the grocery store later today or tomorrow morning.

We have a leak in the output shaft seal on our transmission and hope to have it repaired tomorrow at Shepler’s Marine, I ordered the repair part and it should will arrive tomorrow.

Detour Lighthouse, with volunteer keepers

Starline Ferry with their trademark rooster tail

Mixing the next batch of Carmel Corn

One of many fudge shops

Quaint shopping center