8/30/2010 MACKINAC ISLAND

We woke to a cacophony of geese calls and the clopping of horses’ hoofs. At 9:30 the trumped sounds of revile and the Star Spangled Banner wafted down to us. Pedestrians, horse carriages and bikers stopped in the streets to pay their respect.

I watched, much to my amusement and amazement, horses being loaded onto one of the ferries. Horses first, then two legged folks. Guess they have to get back to the main land somehow.

HORSES FIRST

It was time to get in gear and start moving over the island. We walked to town and booked our 12:25 carriage tour then hiked up the steep hill to Fort Mackinac where we were greeted by friendly Girl Scouts. They alternate with the Boy Scouts, every ten days the groups switch so both groups get a chance to participate in the activities.

IT'S TOUGH TRYING TO FIND A

PARKING SPOT IN TOWN

So many things to see! We found the school, soldiers barracks, officer’s quarters, hospital and the bar and lunch room then were treated to a demonstration of a riffle firing from soldiers dressed in period uniforms. The view was spectacular for this high vantage point.

DAN ENTERING THE FORT

FORT'S 1889 LUNCHROOM AND BAR

SOLDIER

READY, AIM, FIRE!

VIEW FROM FORT

Our carriage tour took us past the Governors’ Mansion, cottages an up to the impressive Grand Hotel. Here we saw the cottage style Golf Pro Shop and had to laugh at the employee parking lot. Nearing the stables we saw a horse drawn hay wagon loaded down with two heavy round bales. Later we found they did have a forked tractor to unload them. Guess they can have motorized vehicles but not on the roads. We continued on through the Mackinac Island State park and up to the lookout at Arch Rock before ending our ride back in town.

GOVENOR'S MANSION

\GRAND HOTEL

GOLF PRO SHOP

EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT

HORSE DRAWN HAY WAGON

HORSE DRAWN STREET SWEEPER

CARIBBEAN COLORED WATER

THROUGH ARCH ROCK

We grabbed a quick bite for lunch then headed for one of the numerous bike rentals. We were off on our eight mile circumnavigation of the island!! What a beautiful day to be riding. The sea was to our right, the road held no vehicular hazards, the sun was shining gently and the wind was refreshing. Too good.

Oh, I almost forgot to report on the dock’s excitement for the night. Everyone’s back, tucked onto their boats for the night when we all hear a splash and then great bursts of laughter. It seems the boaters just down from us had been bringing their bikes back to the boat after dinner in town. The woman got of her bike and was already on the boat when her husband veered around her bike and, woops, rides right off into the lake. The man was fine, the bike was retrieved but the new I-Phone, well the I-Phone was WET. Roars of laughter swept the docks as guys rushed to join in the fun.

At 10:00 PM we were alerted that it was time to end our day with the haunting notes Taps wafting down from the fort. Day is done.

THESE STAIRS AND POSTS ARE ALMOST

LIKE OURS AT HOME ON VERMONT

8/29/10 DRUMMOND ISLAND TO MACKINAC ISLAND, MI

This morning we utilized the dock power and baked biscuits, cooked up the fresh carrots from the farmer’s market and made some applesauce before casting off by 11:00. We are all set now with some cooked up food and clean laundry!

SO LONG DRUMMOND ISLAND YACHT HAVEN

Looks like we are in for a few days of beautiful, warm weather and we are lounging in the sunshine as we travel. Cool nights, warm days – does it get any better? Oops, what’s this? Dan is no longer lounging but hard at work, scrubbing the dirty deck. Guess I am on windows and mini-blind cleaning. So much for relaxing!! Quest does look cleaner and happier now.

Entering the De Tour Channel we saw our first huge freighters and found the ferry from De Tour Village on the mainland, readying for the passage to Drummond Island. Coming out of the channel we scooted right past De Tour Channel Lighthouse and found ourselves in the open waters of the north-western part of Lake Huron. We have traveled on Lake Ontario, now Lake Huron and soon Lake Michigan. Guess we will have to hit Lakes Superior and Erie on our next passage.

BACK WITH THE BIG BOYS NOW

DE TOUR TO DRUMMOND ISLAND FERRIES

DE TOUR CHANNEL LIGHT HOUSE

Heading towards the famed Mackinac Island (pronounced Mackinaw) I used the time to read up on our destination. This postcard island prohibits those “new-fangled” horseless carriages and real horses, bicycles and foot traffic are the means of getting from one place to another in this enchanting summer resort. The English built a fort here in 1780, American revolutionaries took it in 1796, and the Brits reclaimed it in the War of 1812 but only until 1815 when it went back to those American whipper snappers. Since 1895 it has been a State Park.

Sighting the four mile Mackinac Bridge, I knew we were almost there. This connects Mackinaw City on the south shore with St. Ignace on the north shore of the Straits of Mackinac. Ferries zip back and forth from both of these cities to the island, bringing gobs of tourist during the height of the season. We are lucky to be trailing in at the tail end of summer.

THE FOUR MILE BRIDGE

Approaching the harbor, we saw the beautiful Mission Point Resort and Fort Mackinac. As we enter, the busy ferries take their right of way and deposit or pick up travelers. What a beautiful picture the village presents to us.

MISSION POINT RESORT

FORT MACKINAC

FERRIES ZOOM FOLKS TO AND FRO

Whoa! This is a nice dock. It is owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, well maintained, modern and inexpensive. I like it! Oh, and the water. It is the closest thing to Caribbean waters I’ve seen since------- since the Caribbean!

We are watching the island transit system working full speed (ok, so not so much speed) ahead. Here we see Arnold Transit where bikes are parked and the ferries come and go. Next we see the “bus” with its luggage trailer behind. The “trash truck” is working even on a Sunday and visitors take a “taxi” to their destination. Kind of cute.

ALL THE BIKES AT ARNOLD TRANSIT

NOTE THE LUGGAGE TRAILER BEHIND

TRASH "TRUCK"

TAXI

OH YES, DON'T FORGET THE HOTEL LIMO

We are off to explore on foot and to make our plan of attack. What a mixed bag. The down town could be Key West with shops selling tee-shirts, fudge and ice cream (just no Jimmy Buffett or tattoo parlors here). We have way too much to do tomorrow! I want to take a carriage tour of the island, rent bikes, swim, visit the Grand Hotel and climb to the fort. This may be a “two-day” stop.

After a good fish dinner on shore, we again took off walking and were drawn to the Mission Point Resort by delightful shrieks of childish laughter in the dark. The resort has a little putting course where the kids were engaged in “Glow Golf”. What a sight! They all had Glow Stick necklaces, bracelets and headbands and were putting their “glowing” golf balls towards the “glowing” T. We were captivated by the ever moving neon colors and the force of the kids’ energy. Too cool for words! The resort also had a outdoor movie going on with scads of Adirondack chairs dotting the lawn before the huge screen. Families and couples were enjoying the resort’s amenities all over the grounds on this night.

8/28/2010 MELDRUM BAY, INTO USA AND ON TO DRUMMOND BAY

After Breakfast on the Quest we jumped into the dingy and made a trip to shore. The dock master, Peggy, showed us to the phone that connects directly to Canadian Customs and we were able to check out. Then Peggy gave us a great bird’s eye view of the town.

OLD MELDRUM BAY MARINA OFFICE

There are only 40 full-time residents but they have accomplished much in the last few years. They took over the marina and docks from the Canadian government and are in the process of updating everything. The recently built breakwater was done through much community planning and hard work while La Farge donated all the necessary stone. A perfect example of industry and the public working together for the good of all. The old displaced pier heads were being removed while we were there and the new marina office with a meeting place, laundry and baths is currently under construction. Way to go Meldrum Bay!

NEW BREAKWATER PROTECTING THE HARBOR

WORKING ON REMOVAL OF OLD PIER HEADS

CONSTRUCTION ON NEW MARINA CENTER

We paid a visit at the Meldrum Bay Inn for coffee and Internet hook up. Owners Shirin and Bob Grover greeted us warmly and gave us their story. They have owned the inn for four years, updating and making it their own, and love being where they are. Rooms can be rented year round while lunch and dinner are served during the season. Go to www.meldruminn.com for more information on the inn.

MELDRUM BAY INN

GARDEN MINIATURE OF INN

Where does the day go? By the time we got back to Quest and were out of Meldrum Bay it was 11:30. Crossing the Mississaagi Straights was a wet and windy trip with waves breaking on the helm and winds at 27 knots. Oops, make that gusts to 33 knots. Cool!!

NOTE THE DIGITAL READOUT:  33 KNOT WINDS

By 2:10 we were crossing into USA waters and approaching Drummond Island and by 3:00 we were rounding Hay Point and heading into Potagannissing Bay. This large bay is home to Drummond, our check in point, and numerous islands. Listening to the VHF radio, we discovered the Drummond Island Yacht Haven was a virtual “bee hive” of activity with boats calling for instructions to pull in for Customs clearance. We joined the queue, received our directions and pulled into the fuel dock. We fueled up, pumped out, moved to our docking space and cleared customs.  The customs officer efficiently cleared us back into the country and welcomed us Home. Nice touch.

DRUMMOND ISLAND YACHT HAVEN

I took advantage of their super laundry facilities and had our two loads of linens, towels and clothing done in just an hour. Thanks Drummond Island Yacht Haven for such nice facilities.

That task done, we hopped into the dingy and explored the magnificent bay. On Harbor Island Dan spied a dark mink scurrying along the waterline and later we found this deer grazing in the grasses. The Island is a owned by the Nature Conservancy, to be preserved forever wild.

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

ALERTED DEER

Our sunset was, again, stunning and we marveled at the ever changing sky. Later some folks launched a tiny floating hot air luminary and we all watched it drift up and out of sight. Perfect end to a superb day.

SETTING SUN ILLUMINATING THE SKY

FLOATING LUMINARY

8/27/2010 CLAPPERTON ISLAND TO MELDRUM BAY

It was a picture-perfect morning with the sun shining brightly, high scattered clouds and only a slight breeze

We are still without cell service and already have two days of the Quest Blog to post. Maybe tonight I will be able to get these loaded up.

By 9:30 we were pulling out of our hideaway and back in the North Channel, heading west on this beautiful day.

CHARTING OUR PATH

Before 11:30 we were pulling into Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island and headed to the Friday “fish market” in town where we got fresh white fish and trout fillets. Next, we cruised the Farmers Market in the park abutting the marina and bagged some tiny carrots, beautiful mixed chard and a yummy peach pie. Cute little village with a fabulous dock.

COMING INTO GORE BAY

FRESH FISH MARKET??

FRIDAY FARMERS MARKET

GORE MARINA

I took advantage of the service here and finally caught up on the blog for the last two days. What a relief! You all know that virtue of patients is not one of my strong points and this blog thing really puts it to the limit at times.

We were off again by 2:15, cruising to the big waters the four hours to Meldrum Bay. Passing up the little marina, we chose to anchor for the night and cook our fish for dinner. It was a peaceful night behind the beautiful breakwater.

MELDRUM BAY MARINA

FELLOW BOATERS AT ANCHOR

8/27/2010 SPECIAL POST

We have been out of service for a couple of days and just recieved notice from Erin that Dwayne's dad died yesterday.  Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire family and we hope you will add them to your list too.
Give a special hug to those that you love today, in rememberance of Dwayin's Dad.

8/26/10 SNUG HARBOR TO CLAPPERTON HARBOR

We arose to find that the gusting wind had finally died and the waters were glistening from the sun’s rays. However, it was only about 62 degrees by 9 AM. Another indication of fall’s inevitable approach.

We tagged behind the same three sailboats exiting the cove that we followed in last night and we all made our way through the wilderness. There is little evidence of human habitation here, just trees and rocks and water. Entering back into Lansdowne Channel we made our way to Frazer Bay then on into the North Channel.

EXITING SNUG HARBOR

Strawberry Lighthouse alerted us that we were nearing the Little Current Swing Bridge, the one-lane bridge that is the only connection between Manitoulin Island and the mainland. The bridge open every hour, on the hour, and we had to patiently wait the 40 minutes until the next opening.

STRAWBERRY ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE

LITTLE CURRENT SWING BRIDGE

We pulled into the Little Current’s town dock and tied up for a couple of hours. We had a leisurely walk, stopping to buy more charts and a bit of lunch at the Anchorage Inn before heading back out on the water.

TOWN PARK ALONG THE WATER

HONORING THOSE WHO FOUGHT

LUNCH AT THE ANCHOR

RELAXING IN THE PARK WITH QUEST BEHIND US

A few more hours of travel brought us to the Meredith Point Marker with Meredith Island sheltered behind it. We made our turn into Clapperton Harbour and anchored for the night. Huddled behind Clapperton island we found what looked to be an old, deserted fishing encampment. It is now a forlorn sight but I bet it was prime in its heyday.

MEREDITH POINT:

TURN HERE GUYS!

Dan got in a little more fishing (note I said fishing-not necessarily catching) and we watched the gulls and loon basking in the last rays of the day. I decided to feed the gulls some bread. Not good timing on my part. However, Dan did catch something! You will be happy to know that we successfully freed him and he flew off, none the worse.

JUDY FEEDING GULLS

DAN'S BIG CATCH!

OUR EVENING VIEW