We spent a pleasant night at the Port Huron Yacht Club and as previously
stated, enjoyed their hospitality and faculties. Now that our connections with
the Detroit area have been redone and all my nostalgia genes have been
satisfied, our next destination is Mackinac Island, via an overnight stop at
Presque Isle Michigan.
Presque Isle is on the upper north east corner of the lower peninsula of
Michigan. Kind of remote. It is an inviting area for hikers and
campers.
http://www.michigan.org/property/presque-isle-state-harbor/
The state of Michigan has a very developed harbor and marina
system. Michigan has extensive shoreline on Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake
Superior and some on Lakes St. Clair and Erie. These are big waters. Boaters
caught out on these waters when the weather turns ugly have access to any of
these harbors and many of them are designated as "harbors of refuge." For all
boaters, these harbors are available for overnight stays simply by making a
reservation with the Michigan DNR. Presque Isle is our first contact with this
excellent system.
Our trip on Tuesday the 24th up the length of Lake Huron was uneventful.
The seas were small enough that we could operate on plane the entire distance to
Presque Isle.
The leg from Presque Isle to Mackinac Island was a different story
however. Weather forecasts were checked and although expected to be rough
toward the end since the winds were out of the north west and blustery we got
very long slow wet ride as we turned more and more toward the west toward the
straits.
The waves were becoming easily 7 footers and operated properly the boat had
no issues but it was as I said, slow and wet. We were following the GPS for
position and speed and each mile went by at an amazingly slow pace.
The one unusual event was a panel light that came on and stayed on that
said a bilge pump was running. On occasionally and then off again would be
normal because we were taking lots of water over the boat, and some of it was
certainly making its way into the aft bilge. But the a pump that was indicated
as operating and with no end was something that needed to be looked at.
The boat was handling ok so that was to the good. We took a look into the
engine room and there was nothing unusual there but we could not tell if the
pump in this space was operating or not because the noise of the engines (even
at slow speed) eclipsed every other noise. But everything was normal visually
so we closed that hatch.
That left the forward space bilge pump. This was fun to get to because it
was accessible under the rear bunk area which we converted to a "shed" for all
our stuff, bicycles etc. After a few minutes of unloading all the stuff, I
finally was able to get a look at this pump. Sure enough it was running. What
was making it run you ask. The few cups of water that was there in this bilge
was splashing up with the boat motion and some of the drops were splashing into
the moisture sensor that turned the pump on. No problem, no issues so all was
well. I made some adjustments that prevented the airborne drops of water from
hitting the sensor and that was that. Except for putting all the stuff back in
the "shed." This could wait until we arrived at Mackinac.
Our long wet ride lasted from 10:30 AM until 6:15 PM so it made us quite
tired. When we arrived at finally calm waters in the harbor, yes, we were quite
exhausted. Along the way, our conversation drifted to who we knew that might
be there and we were aware that our friends Don and Rosie aboard their boat
"Just Rosie" were making their way toward Mackinac Island after spending a few
days on Lake Superior. Our comment was "we will not see them today, they would
not be out here in this stuff." Well, less than 10 minutes after we tied up,
they arrived. We compared notes with them about our respective journeys and one
of the things that came up in their conversation about us was, "they will not
show up today, they would not be out here in this stuff." Lots of laughs about
this. Funny.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macinac_island
Prior evening, a view up the from the yacht club up the Black River toward Port Huron.
Sail boat masts at the Port Huron Yacht Club docks.
Looking back toward the PHYC after passing the imposing rail road bridge.
Industrial/chemical complex at Sarnia, Ontario
GPS display showing the Black River on the left and the St. Clair River going north/south.
US Coast Guard bouy tender.
Retired light ship "Huron"
Anyone feel lucky?
Final passage underneath the Blue Water Bridge (this trip)
Safely tucked in to our Presque Isle slip with a beautiful sunset.
Now for the Moon to give us a pretty picture.
Morning departure.
Heading out
At Mackinac Island, Pat and Rosie making plans.
