9/2/2010 CHARLEVOIX TO LELAND

Oh do I love these beautiful sunny mornings! After dinking to shore, we paid a quick visit to the Farmer’s Market for some apricots and kale then back to Quest to pull up anchor.

FARMERS MARKET

We made the 10:00 bridge opening and followed several vessels out of cozy Round Lake. Our timing was perfect! The tall masted sailing vessel, Lynx, was making her way through the narrow Pine River and into Round Lake. We were treated to lots of canvas and gunfire as she passed through the shores lined with rapt spectators.

EXITING THE PINE RIVER

TALL MASTED LYNX

The Lynx was designed as an 1812 privateer or naval schooner and is run by the Lynx Education Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization dedicated to a hands-on approach to teaching the history of America’s struggle for independence. What a classroom!

We made a b-line to Leland today as the weather radio was predicting thunderstorms tonight. Tomorrow afternoon through Saturday could bring wind gusts to 45 knots and waves to 16 feet. We had a slip all lined up and by 2:30 we were tied up and snug for the expected storm. We watched an ant trail of vessels trek into this safe harbor all afternoon and into the evening.

A CROOKED PATH TO THE UP HILL ESTATE

Leland’s National Landmark District, Fish Town, is home to the authentic Great Lakes fishing tug and the ancient fish shanties now house to various boutique shops. We did succumb to the lure of Leland’s own Carlson’s Smoke House and purchased one of their smoked fish sausage. I can tell you that we will be buying pounds more tomorrow. Super yummy!

FLOWERS LINE THE LELAND BRIDGE

We spent much of the early evening on N II WISHIN with owners Jerry and Joan and several other “loopers”. There was much information exchanged and many stories told, not to mention a few toddies tipped.

ON WEATHER WATCH

Back on Quest, Dan fired up the good old BBQ and cooked steak and fresh corn for our night’s feast. Before turning in for the night, Dan made one last check on the lines and fenders. We are well “tied-up and fendered-up”, ready for the coming wind and rain. By 11:00 the rain had arrived and pounded on us for over an hour before letting up. What will tomorrow bring??