Monday, August 05, 2013

Stacy and Laura departed just as the rain began, showers, overcast and mid 60’s not much like a normal August. Our slip rental expired at 12:00 but they allowed us to stay a few extra hours since the slip would be empty this evening. We will return on Friday when Kim, Scott and Autumn come to visit. The rain eased about 1:30 and we left the dock due to the hour we would just go to Nicolet Bay and anchor out. 

Cool and grey good sea state at our departure

As we began, we charted a new course to Washington Harbor on the north corner of Washington Island a 22 mile journey. Wind from the south, building waves not a bad day to travel, sure can’t do anything else. We knew the waves would change as we passed the tip of the Door through Death’s Door. The predominant wave pattern was from the south with a secondary wave from the southeast, the secondary wave became more pronounced as we traversed the gap strong 2 ft waves from the east and south a little bouncy but not too bad. We have now learned that driving the boat from the inside is quite comfortable, out of the wind and in the middle of the bay there is not much to see besides water. 

Boyer Point

We arrived about 5:40 in the bay nicely protected from the south wind. It is hard to show this bay it is about 1 ½ nautical miles back south from the point, the bay is quite deep, we are 400 feet from shore in 26 feet of water in most bays we would be at 10 ft or less in depth. I continue to learn our instruments as the need arises, so tonight I set the anchor drift alarm. If the boat moves more than 100 feet from our anchor point an alarm will sound to wake us. I am sure that the hook is well set, the alarm is just a bit of added security.

Our SPOT device is now working so you can check our “current position” at the upper right hand corner of this blog. The nice thing about SPOT is it will send an OK message to our family members when I check in. I plan to do that each evening that we travel a significant distance.

Still cool and overcast supper soon, Salmon on the grill one of our favorites.

Below three shots of our anchorage for the evening, nice!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Stacy at the helm, Laura providing verbal support

Lazy Sunday slept until 10:00 AM, the girls went uptown while I did boat things. Topped off the port water tank to bring the boat back to level (no list). Looked at the new faucet installation, still not sure if the pieces I purchased will work properly. Met the girls uptown for lunch at the Cookery in Fish Creek. After lunch we went for a boat ride and saw all the things from the water that we toured the previous day on shore. The caves below the fire tower, Nicolet Bay and Horseshoe Island, Stacy assumed the helmsman’s duties on the return trip and brought us back to Fish Creek. We had a pontoon boat giving a ride to people on a tube using our wake to get air.

Stacy with her "Duck"

Mom and Laura's fused glass artwork

Stacy and Laura picked up their art projects this afternoon and took Carol grocery shopping. Having a ride to a good grocery store is a precious commodity when cruising.

Nice dinner this evening at Summertime one of our favorite restaurants in Fish Creek, lots of history and enjoyment over the years.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

We are here at Alibi Dock a place so often we enjoyed looking at and discussing the pros and cons of large boats. Once we tied up both Carol and I said “Hey, were at Alibi Dock!” Lots of fond memories over the years.

Stacy, Laura and Horseshoe Island

Today was a Door County Tourist day, climbed the fire tower at Peninsula Park went to Welcher Point in the park, Eagle Point Lighthouse, passed the campers in Tennison Bay, and a view across the bay of Fish Creek. Shopping at the Blue Dolphin, then on to Lunch at Fred and Fuzzy’s on Little Sister Bay.

One of our favorite stops in Door County was the Potter’s Wheel, I have lots of Abe Cohn pots from different years of his production, and he changed styles quite frequently. Abe pass last year and the shop is now closed. Lots of fun things to see and do.

Eagle Point Lighthouse and Carol

We came back to the boat and had chicken thighs on the grill. It began to rain but just in a 3 or 4 mile wide path, in other places the sun was out and the radar showed clearing once the shower passed. So we waited to decide whether to attend the American Folklore Theater. Well, the storm passed radar showed no new storms, a huge rainbow formed over Fish Creek Bay and we attended their performance of “Loose Lips Sink Ships.” A story of a Sturgeon Bay shipyard during World War II, boys going off to war, some staying at home, girl welders in the plate shop, romance and the reunion when the war ended. This is an original play written after much original research, fun, entertaining and very well done. They are doing three shows this summer and we hope to attend at least one additional show while here.

Really Tall Rainbow over the Bay

Stacy and Laura seem to be enjoying their time away here in Door County.

Friday, August 02, 2013

Nice calm ride across the bay, strange that our course was due south rather than east.

Tonight’s guest bloggers are Stacy Beckmann and Laura Spring, 

Go Girls.

Guess where we are!

Our first day here we were able to get the folks some place in Door County they had never been so even though we did not meet the ultimate goal of finding the bendy trees, we still feel we hit a major accomplishment.

We all very much enjoyed walking along Door County Bluffs and found multiple cairns as tall as Stacy on the lake shore.

While, as previously mentioned, we did not find the bendy trees, we did meet this impressive tree with an elbow. She shared that as a sapling she was picked on for having an elbow but now finds that she is one of the most popular trees in the county park due to her unique attributes.  

Pic 32

The delectable fare today was Wilson’s Ice Cream, salted caramel fudge, and creative cuisine at Trio’s restaurant accompanied by an “un-oaked” chardonnay that was quite pleasing to the palate.

We have big plans for tomorrow but my last name is not Snowden and I will not leak this information. My hope for this beautiful evening on the boat is that these sea bands do the job because that salmon with creamed artichoke hearts was expensive.

Thursday, August 01, 2013 - Happy Birthday Dennis!!!

We were at anchor this morning on Nicolet Bay expecting west winds and of course west winds make west waves and when a west wave meets a land point the wave curves around the corner. So about 8:00 we had west winds and the boat was facing west but north waves smacking the boat broadside. Maybe is should have positioned us a bit closer to the land. We raised the anchor and headed for Michigan about 15 miles across the bay. Two foot waves and a little bouncy for about half the trip. Then 1 foot or less, the auto pilot preformed perfectly. 

Cedar River State Harbor

Cedar River Harbor is a Harbor of Refuge built by the DNR in Michigan. We have found these harbors to be excellent, fairly new and very well maintained and this harbor is no exception. Friendly staff, lots of help with local knowledge when negotiating the inlet. We were both busy this afternoon when a cloud came overhead and rained hard for 10 minutes with sun all around. So what does 20% chance mean, 20% of the land will have showeres for 10 minutes or everyone will have rain for 20% of the day? What a goofy system.

This afternoon, I dismounted the bike and

The Bike mounted in the Dinghy

went for a ride, nice! When I returned Carol had her sewing machine on the dinette table and began making a quilt for a friend. I had a few little projects and we installed the new signage on Reunion. The name and home port are on the transom as required, but not visible because the dinghy covers it.

Tonight many of you have called to wish me happy birthday, much appreciated. Debi, Ayla and Adam were in good voice as they sang Happy Birthday a family tradition, Scott and Kim sang while Autumn snapped her fingers to keep them in time. 

My Sweetie having Fun 

Another pretty sunset and now clouding over. Fun day!

New Reunion Signage

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Playing in Nicolet Bay

 Nicolet Bay has got to be one of the most beautiful spots on earth – or water.  We have been here since yesterday and we are becoming so relaxed it feels like we're cheating - the sheriff is going to show up and tell us to get back to work, it’s a week-day and no more lolly-gagging around.  So far we are getting away with it but sooner or later we may get caught having too much fun.  During the day there are families on the beach, people on paddleboards and kayaks scattered around the bay and a few boats at anchor just enjoying it all.  By nightfall last night only one other boat and Reunion were left to watch the sun go down. 

Door County Meadow

Today we went for a long walk through the park and visited the nature center.  Only genuine carnivorous Wisconsin mosquitoes could chase us out of the woods and back to the beach and the sunshine.  We are enjoying having the dinghy to run us ashore.  I had feared that living on the boat would severely limit any exercise, but to the contrary we have been taking long walks every day.  Even in the marinas our boat is usually docked at least ¼ mile from shore, so it’s a half-mile hike just to carry out the garbage or get to the shower.

Walk in the Woods

We have encountered several boats with AGLCA Great Loop flags, and this morning I corresponded with a boat headed this way from Mackinac – they were wondering what to see in Door County and where to dock near Milwaukee.  I had fun being the one with some local knowledge for a change.  It won’t happen often. Looks like another rainstorm is headed our way so it’s time to make sure the boat is tucked in to keep all the dry things dry.  Tonight we will grill some steaks and stay inside where it’s warm and cozy.   Tomorrow we hope to head over to the Marinette/Menomonie and Cedar Creek area on the western shore of Green Bay.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

What a great day, I could retire to a place like this. Up about 8:00, made coffee answered email. Carol took a shower, this marina has great shower rooms that are individual full bathrooms with a toilet, sink, and shower, and they provide bath mats, Skipper Buds Harbor Club Marina, Sturgeon Bay, WI. (Not a paid for advertisement) About 10:30 we were ready to head for Nicolet Bay, my favorite anchorage. Moving out of the channel past the ship yards the ship being repaired had departed. We noted other projects in the shipyard.

Nice day to be traveling, south winds directly behind us up the Door past Egg Harbor and Fish Creek to the Peninsula point Lighthouse. Around the point and into Nicolet Bay. Lots of boats, paddle boards, small sailboats and kayaks in the harbor.

We decided to learn a few new things about our boat and how we will use it on our trip. We have not launched the dinghy away from the boat. I have run the engine a few times but the dinghy has not been apart from the boat.

Dinghy Launching

So now that I added the bike rack that is connected to the dinghy, the process is a bit more involved. Dismount the bike and store in a vertical position on the starboard side of the swim platform, dismount the dinghy arm for lowering, lower the dinghy, carry the motor from the sundeck down the ladder to the dinghy, clamp the motor in place, lock the motor to the dinghy, add fuel and start the dinghy. Move the gear box, containing life preservers, anchor, signal device, etc., from the sundeck to the dinghy. Climb aboard and motor in style to the shore. Everything was quite manageable.

Nicolet Bay Beach

We had an ice cream cone from the concession stand and enjoyed seeing all the families enjoying this fine Wisconsin summer day. We admired “Reunion” looking so fine at anchor. We walked through part of the Peninsula Park campground and exchanged stories about other adventures here. I remembered on one trip going over to visit Dave Banks and family only to learn the night before in a storm a tree had fallen and hit their tent, just on one corner and gratefully no one was hurt, but a real scare. Lots of memories here, we named the little boat here in 1994, “a Classic”. Carol joined Kim an I on that trip for a bit and Kim and Carol bonded over a little blue teapot.

All in all a Great Day!