Harrisville to Presque Isle, MI

We passed several light houses

The storm front moved through the area last night with only a little rain and it was fairly calm with a slight breeze from the northeast when we departed at 8:00 this morning. We expected the wind and waves to build through the day but needed to make progress towards Mackinac City. Quartering sea for the first half of the trip off the port bow, a bit of rock and roll until Thunder Bay. Once around the corner, then head on into the wind and waves. The autopilot worked very well and held our course throughout the day. But the sundeck furniture said they had enough and started toward the door. We corralled them back to the sundeck once the waves subsided a bit.

Scotts boating endorsement: Driving the boat is better than sitting on the couch!

Great, I think???

Manuvering to shore

We saw two freighters on the way one some distance off and a second behind us but close to shore as were we. The freighter passed us and then seemed to be crossing our path, at Stoneport the freighter headed for shore directly in front of us, I guess he had an appointment with a bunch of stone. Really nice to see this large boat maneuver toward the loading area.

Our stone freighter

We stopped short of our planned destination due to the building seas and wind and stopped at Presque Isle Harbor a Michigan DNR sponsored marina. Fairly new and well managed and kept nice dock house and deli across the street.





Safe behind the rock wall

Hoping for better winds and seas tomorrow.

Harbor Beach to Harrisville, MI

Harbor of Refuge

One of the few times we will lose sight of land is the crossing of Saginaw Bay. Today we read mixed weather reports some said the wind would diminish and others said it would stay at 10-15 from the SE. About 58 nm of open water between the two ports with little place for refuge. We decided to leave as early as possible, so up a 6:00 and we weighed anchor about 6:45 after our normal morning routine of checking and warming the engine, checking the instruments, washing down the anchor rode and anchor and of course making coffee breakfast is usually later.

Nice quiet coast line to the PTE AUX BARQUES LIGHT and then open water to Harrisville our destination. The wind did build most of the day 15-17 knots from the Southeast up the bay to our port stern quarter. We used the auto pilot the first couple of hours and then steered manually the rest of the trip. Scott learned how to surf a 40 ft. 25,000 lb. trawler as we reached Harrisville in three foot waves.

Notice the flags

Sunny and cool and another successful 58 nm day. The Harrisville Harbor is a Harbor of Refuge built by the Michigan DNR for the town. Harrisville manages the marina and it is within walking access of the center of town. Harrisville has a quilt shop so I saved a bunch of money because Scott does not quilt.

We arrived about 3:00 and settled in, took a walk about town, cleaned up and Scott prepared flame broiled chicken, nothing but the best. We expect rain tonight and tomorrow morning, not sure about traveling yet.  

Olympic Trawler Surfing Champion, Scott Johnson

Port Huron to Harbor Beach, MI

Bluewater bridge the sailboat ahead and a 3+ knot current

We departed the slip about 7:15 and requested an opening from the 7^th street bridge. 7^th street replies and Military Street replied as well. Most towns have more than one bridge in this case operated 24/7 by two people. One call on the radio and we can contact both on channel 09, however, they will not raise the second bridge until the first bridge is fully lowered and passing traffic. In this manner they are assured one bridge is always functional incase the second bridge gets stuck open. We entered the St. Clair River expecting a strong current and were not disappointed. We watched a sailboat ahead of us deal with the current and weave back and forth as the current pushed it along. Watching our speed decline to 3.5 knots for a short period of time told us we were facing a 3.75 knot adverse current. The strongest current was under the Bluewater Bridge to Canada and of course this is the best fishing area as well and the opening was dotted with fishing boats. So we did a bit of a slalom course between the fishermen. Then of course, a 38 ft. twin engine power boat needs to pass us and the fishing boats at 20 knots throwing a large wake. We could turn into the wake but the drifting open fishing boats were not as mobile. Some people are inconsiderate even when on the water.

Lighthouse at Port Huron

A light north breeze all day but little waves and a fine ride arriving about 3:00. We decided to anchor in the harbor, but from the time we set the anchor I was a bit uneasy since we had no protection from the south or south east. The wind was to turn to the south in the morning but as one could expect it began this evening and the forecast 3-7 knots became 10 knots and building. Scott grilled some delicious pork chops and made a salad with spinach, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, onion, yellow bell pepper and mushrooms. I like his high protein diet and he has lost 16 pounds, so I guess he likes it as well.

Salvage of Tug and Barge sunk last week

After supper we decided to move the boat and possibly move to the marina in the harbor. After moving to the lee shore we could feel the protection from the trees and I was satisfied with the anchorage. We can see the flag on the lighthouse on the breakwall standing straight off the staff but here ours are hanging down. We do expect the wind to diminish overnight but weather is the most variable part of our journey.

Cool this evening in the 60s at 9:00 PM, and the breeze is starting to diminish. Nice sunset over an industrial harbor with a power station at the center and a nice municipal fishing pier.

Lighthouse at Harbor Beach entrance

Nice Sunset

River Street Marina, Port Huron, MI

Welcome to Leg 4


Scott enjoying the evening on Reunion

Scott Johnson and I rode the Amtrak Bluewater Limited last night arriving Port Huron, MI at 12:11 AM picked up a cab at the station and returned to Reunion for a restful nights sleep. The weather today inland was fine sunny 15 knot NNE wind sunny and low 80’s, however Lake Huron had 3 to 5 foot waves all day so we began leg 4 with a Marina Day. We went grocery shopping, filled the boat with 155 gallons of diesel and 100 gallons of potable water, pumped the holding tank, walked to the local boat store for supplies and generally prepared the boat and ourselves for the trip. The boat and all the electronics and gear seem to be in serviceable condition and we hope to leave early tomorrow weather permitting.

Scott and Kim married two years ago, he likes being on the boat and there will be new experiences for Scott this week. Today he learned how to land the boat using both the bow and stern lines to help place the boat where necessary for fuel and pump out.

He grilled a couple of steaks, a bit of salad, sautéed mushrooms and onions for dinner and we enjoyed the day watching other boats motor up and down the river.



The River Street Marina has about 100 slips we are in slip 49 and a sailboat pulled in the slip next to us. They were returning from completing both Mac races, that is Chicago to Mackinaw and Port Huron to Mackinaw. They will be here a couple of days and then return to Detroit.



Harrison Township Metropark to Port Huron, MI (End Leg 3)

Well we knew it would rain eventually, it was forecast for two days. Forecasted to first start before 7, then to after 8:00 then after 11:00 and finally after 1:00. We were on track to arrive at two but about 12:45 it began to rain, we covered everything Carol went below and I donned my rain jacket. It rained quite hard for 15 or 20 minutes and then again off and on for the next hour. By the time we entered the Black River the rain had stopped for a time. The top still leaks and I still get wet at the helm, but while driving in the rain I designed a new top system to provide protection without cocooning the entire bridge. I’ll talk to the canvas shop when I return.

The ride up the St. Clair River was great, nice cottages and homes on the US side and very rural on the Canadian side, hard to get used to the idea that the east side of the river is a foreign country. Country flags on both sides of the river. No bridges here linking the two sides but we did cross two ferry routes. It must be strange living across the river but with little access to the other side. I hope we get a chance to visit Canada on our longer voyage.

At the River Street Marina now for two weeks, we could not dock here last night since it was their big party celebrating the Mac race. When I first called about a slip 4 weeks ago they mentioned the Mac race and I thought how big a deal could that be they race from Chicago to Mackinaw. I did not know there is a Port Huron to Mackinaw race as well and it started yesterday noon. I guess I am from the wrong side of the peninsula.

The sun is back out and we will catch a cab at 5:00 for the train station and the Blue Water Express from Port Huron to Chicago.

Leg 4 begins July 28^th around Michigan through the Mackinac Straights either down to Lake Charlevoix or across the UP to Manistique then to Washington Island.

Early morning Freighter

Houses on pilings with water front and back, no mowing

It is Sunday, we think of Mt. Pleasant a lot

Classic

The Canadian Side

Freighters are big and deserve our attention

Canadian Ferry dock

Canadian House

Metro Beach Metropark, Huron Clinton Metroparks

Semicircular Marina

Marina day and very nice the park is quite nice with a trackless train that will take people to the point from the parking lot. No cars in the park, but the trackless train has a flatbed trailer for your ice chest, grill, 50 bottles of water or whatever. For one dollar you can take a round trip to the point and back to the parking lot. Lots of people riding bikes and roller blading is encouraged. Nice pool, beach, spray park, reception hall complete with a Saturday wedding, beach shop and snack bar and of course a 256 slip marina and launch area. Michigan has made a real commitment to recreational boating and has 80 State owned marinas. We hope to enjoy several of them on Leg 4.

I scrubbed some and tried some Mop n Glow on the non-skid portions of the decking, impossible to wax except with a liquid wax not sure how long it will last but it is worth a try. Carol read, took some pictures and relaxed, really nice to have her aboard.

Clouding over this evening and we expect showers tonight and in the morning, we may be traveling in the rain.





Beach

Pool with two water slides

The Spray Park

A Little Tentative at first

Putt Putt Golf

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