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Trenton, Ontario, Canada
In June 2012 we started the Great Loop in our Bayliner Explorer. This blog is for family and friends who would like to follow our comings and goings and , for now, our getting ready for the trip. If you read this blog we would love to hear your comment& suggestions.

Monday 5 August 2013

Lake Michigan Part 2



When the weather controls your life! or Where are the O’Flannigans?

So we got stuck in Charlevoix a little longer than we thought we would be.
We tried to leave twice and each time my big eyes and white knuckles made Gary turn the boat around back to the anchorage. As I always say:” if it isn’t a pleasure, I ain’t boating ,cause I am a PLEASURE BOATER!!”



I call Gary The Duck Whisperer.


A wreck of an old schooner , the water is so clear Gary took this picture from our flybridge


Both morning we tried to leave and had to turn back , we left very early. As you
can see some of us were not amused

One of the mornings we tried leaving. The sun is just coming up but when we got to
the end of the break wall the waves were too nasty, so we turned around and went back to bed.

 The weather has been the pits. And if anyone of you who reads this knows a weather forecaster, please go and give him/her a swift kick in the a$$ from me. Do these people actually know what they are doing??

The last time we tried leaving the seas were forecasted to be 1 foot or less, when we got out there they were a good 4-6 feet!

So we made the most of the situation and spent some time doing laundry and shopping for groceries in town before settling in at anchor to wait for a good weather day.

On Sunday our friends Jim and Ann (MV Wild Goose) Gold Loopers, who are currently doing some land travelling in the camper, came for a visit. We showed them around Charlevoix a little and went for a walk on the beach to look for Petoskey rocks.
The lovely Miss Ann, a true Southern Belle

Waving bye-bye as we leave Charlevoix

There we go...

Petoskey Rocks dry (unpolished)

Petoskey Rocks wet ( and guess who is going to have to spend hours polishing
rocks with sandpaper to get them to stay that way??!!)
 

Sidenote: Petoskey Rocks are actually fossilized coral. It has a unique honeycomb pattern and is found on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. It is the official rock of Michigan. Last year I looked everywhere and couldn’t find any, this year I was luckier.

ANYHOW, as we are walking on the beach we looked out at the lake and it was getting calmer and calmer ( the forecast called for 3-4 foot waves) And after making sure it was ok with Jim and Ann ( they are boaters and know the value of a good weather window) we set out for the long trip to Frankfort.
 
We got in our dingy, rushed back to the anchorage, lifted the dingy on to the boat and off we went. The seas were never higher than a foot.
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes


Sun setting over Lake Michigan


Point Betsie lighthouse

Feelin blue?

With our doggy bags in hand after an excellent
 lunch at Dingys in Frankfort

Frankfort Lighthouse

Lake Michigan sand dunes - Frankfort

Starboard marker entrance into Frankfort



Oh how we miss them ....

 

Seven and a half hours later we arrived in Frankfort in the dark. It was a great travelling day and we are so glad we took that opportunity to go. After a good night sleep we took care of some business in town and met up with Jim and Ann again. This time we were able to go to lunch and spend a good few hours together before saying goodbye again.
Josie and a swan checking each other out.

 

 

To be continued……………..

4 comments:

  1. Hi, We are just behind you and know what you are talking about. We had a very lumpy ride from Mackinac Island to Beaver Island today. Headed to Harbor spring tomorrow - need another prop job (don't ask) Hoping the weather will cooperate - but really, how can one predict wind and waves.. hope to catch up with you eventually. Meanwhile may you have fair weather and following winds! And if not, we hope you have plenty of whatever you like to imbibe while you wait out the weather.

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  2. Hi Gary and Christelle; Enjoying your blog! Several of my friends and I are boating vicariously though your posts and really look forward to them! Several of us get together and discuss them from time to time. Especially liked the sunk schooner! Happy motoring! Peter Irwin

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  3. Hi guys, we're coming. Left Trenton yesterday on our way south, the other direction, see you in Marsh Harbour for beers. By the way, the reason the weather forecasting has gotten so bad over the last few years is because they have been remoting all weather information to central locations for analysis, and have taken away all the local knowledge. Its only going to get worse.

    Wishing you, low winds, and flat seas......

    Rob and Serena
    s/v Vita

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  4. Catching up on your blogs as we were away 10 days. You do a great blog. Glad you are both well! Safe travels!!
    Cheers Moe

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