Final Leg Of the Loop

Wednesday, September 4 - Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Goodbye to the Straits of Mackinac

Following the South Channel on Lake Huron Between
Bois Blanc Island and the Lower Peninsula

The day's travel did not get us far. After an early start we had just passed Cheboygan when we got a call from Adam at North Shore Marina regarding our 2007 Rinker 250. Cell service was difficult off shore so we decided to turn around and head in to Cheboygan, work out the details and eventually spent the night. Just when we had contemplated hauling the Rinker down to Florida for the winter, we received a serious offer. Lake Huron conditions were not as good the next morning so we spent a second night. During the day we rode our bikes, maybe 4 miles, to Wal-Mart. This is not an excursion Mike would not considered before we started Looping and bicycles became our secondary form of transportation. 

Upon entering the Cheboygan River it is impossible to miss the ice breaker Mackinaw off to your port side. This sleeker, more efficient vessel was commissioned in 2006. (It's predecessor and namesake served the area for over 60 years and is now a museum in Straits Harbor, Mackinaw City.) I learned the new one was built by the Manitowoc Company's marine division. People are more familiar with the huge cranes that bear the company name. Anita and Don on Limelight are from Manitowoc! Don was always quick to point them our as we traveled down the rivers.

The New USCG Icebreaker Mackinaw

Cheboygan County Marina

Friday we headed out again. The weather was clearing and our ride to Presque Isle was uneventful. The marina was nearly empty.

Departing the Cheboygan River

A double masted sailboat was one of 3 boats docked here. Most boaters had called it a season I guess. It is a remote area but does have a nice restaurant on site and a general store across the street. A good 'stopping off' point. We spent 3 days in port waiting on favorable weather to continue our southern trek. The crew on the sailboat put on their slickers and took off in the rain. One trawler arrived after us. No Looper burgee though. Mary and Stephen aboard Liberty Blue were from Wisconsin. The next two mornings they set out to motor across Lake Huron to Tobermory on the tip of Canada's Bruce Peninsula. Forty-five minutes later they would return. They were big Packer fans. In fact after retiring they both worked for the Green Bay Packers giving tours of Lambeau Field! They said it was a great organization to work for and were treated to a trip to the Super Bowl one year. Since the team won that year the fans on the return flight celebrated with steak dinners! No wonder they had a hard time leaving. Their postponed departure afforded them an opportunity to view the 1st pre-season game. Sadly the Packers lost to the 49ers but it was a high scoring game.

 

Protected Waters Inside the Harbor at Presque Isle Marina

Calm but Nearly Deserted

Monday, Sept. 9th we cast off and headed to Harrisville. The marina and light house were still lit when we left. Liberty Blue pulled out behind us.The third time was a charm for them! Mike gave them a shout on the VHF later but we received no reply. Another port, another story. With just over 50 miles left, it would be a shame to mess up.

Leaving Presque Isle

 The bays on either side of the point serve as excellent anchorages. Two options to choose from depending on the wind direction.

This Must Be the Older, Smaller Lighthouse on this Point

Sunrise on Lake Huron

Tow Heading North

The skies cleared later that day. We bypassed Thunderbay and Alpena this trip! ("Everyone know how rough Thunderbay is...!" Mark Constine pointed this out. We figured it was bad luck.) The 2 roughest days we spent on this vessel were on Thunderbay. Instead we motored down to Harrisville Marina and spotted a boat we saw last year at Presque Isle, Superior Nights. No one appeared to be aboard so we walked uptown to stretch our legs. Mike and Bud got a quick tour on our delivery trip from Grand Haven to Bay City, on our first trip out. It was here the cotter pin broke causing us to lose the ability to shift one engine. It was the least expensive repair we ever had. Eleven cents!

Harrisville Marina

The next morning, Sept.10th, we left Harrisville for East Tawas. We would be leaving Lake Huron that continues on around the 'thumb' of the mitten and enter Saginaw Bay. Upon entering the fairway in search of our slip we spotted Dave Tripp lounging on his sailboat. It was Dave that sparked Mike's interest (many years ago!) in a boat large enough to live aboard. We spent the evening and next morning reminiscing and filling him in on our adventure. The bay is shallow and storms can whip us quickly. So we decided to leave while the weather was favorable.

Coast Guard Patrols at E. Tawas

Thursday, Sept 12 the Irish Attitude set our for the final leg of our Loop. It was a somber trip as we took off with the sunrise. Plenty of time to reflect on the last year and contemplate on the future. At least the sun was shining!

Good Morning Sunshine!

Familiar Sites

The 'Spark Plug'

The Appledore IV

USS Edson

The destroyer is now in it's permanent berth and looking much better than when we began. I checked on dockage rates at our home marina, Liberty Harbor while Mike checked with Don about a place at the next marina north, Wheeler's Landing. Don was able to find us a great price on one of the privately owned slips. A deal to good to pass.Two big advantages were the washers/dryers and the portable pump out cart! We were only a mile from our friends and the exercise would do us good! It turned out Mike had been researching a 'daily driver' for us to purchase. A Honda mini van! The feature I would soon appreciate the most was dual heated seats! Ahhhh!

Rainbow Over Wheeler's Landing Marina

We watched, as much of the marina had emptied out. We did see Superior Nights again. They spent a few days in the marina before storing her for the season. Mike and I stayed aboard the remainder of September and October until it was time to store Irish Attitude for the approaching winter. After a good bottom cleaning she was ready for heated storage. Mike arranged to have her waxed and buffed when spring arrived. Our Irish Attitude has served us well and deserves to be pampered! Our adventure on America's Great Loop ended on Tuesday, October 29, 2013. The friends and memories will last our lifetime!

Reality Check

Back In The U.S.of A.!

Wednesday, August 21 - Wednesday, September 4, 2013 

The anchor aboard Irish Attitude was hoisted for the last time on the Loop. There will be numerous lasts in the days to come. Bittersweet describes it best. We say good-bye to Canada but not the memories made there. Harmony, Journey and Irish Attitude left the anchorage at 8:00 a.m. and headed for Drummond Island, Michigan, USA! We crossed over the US border on the Garmin chart plotter around 9:15 a.m. and arrive at Drummond before noon. Cruisers are required to go through Customs to re-enter the US. We fueled up and waited our turn. An customs agent boarded Irish Attitude and asked Mike a series of questions. Passports and other documentation had been readied for inspection. It was hard not to laugh when asked if we were bringing any alcohol in from Canada. Seriously! Why would we bring a stash in to the states at Canada's exorbitant prices! 'Just ships store, officer!' (provisions) No mention of our plant hanging in the window. It originated in the states anyway. (Yes Emmett, the plant survived my tending and the Loop!) The weather was good and our travel boats all passed inspection so we headed to DeTour Village Marina for the night. DeTour recently upgraded and expanded their marina. Once again we caught up with Aurora and Carina. With their masts stepped they had been under sail once again, making them almost unrecognizable to us! The group discussed where to stop next. Mike and I recommended Mackinac Island and then the Straits Marina in Mackinaw City for limited provisioning. (Both are pronounce 'nawe'. The difference in spelling is attributed to early settlers, the French and the British.) I warned them to be aware of the ferries transporting people and goods to and from Mackinac Island, St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. They can be intimidating! Our state pride was starting to show. When they spoke of which way to travel down Lake Michigan we recommended the lake's east side of course! The lighthouses, the dunes, the towns.... we went on and on.

Departing Last Canadian Anchorage

Sail On, Sailor!

First Glimpse of the USA, Drummond Island

Old Glory Waving Her Welcome Home

DeTour Village Marina

Old Lighthouse Keeper Carved From a Tree Trunk

Great Lakes Freighter

The next morning all 5 boats headed to Mackinac Island. Irish Attitude was in the lead. Journey ended up on the dock nearest the ferries. There were a few other Loopers at the Island that we had met before. It was odd knowing what to expect when pulling into a port. It's a sensation we have not experienced in a long time! We walked around with Margi and Rick. Before dinner we assisted Carina and Aurora tie up in their slips. The group went to Horn's Bar with its old saloon atmosphere. The burgers are always good there!

Friday, August 23 - An early start was not required for today's short jaunt to the tip of the mitt. Margi, Rick, Mike and I had breakfast out at the Pancake House with its reasonable prices. Surprise! Linda and Eddy from Spritus were there! They stayed at the marina in St. Ignace and took the ferry over that morning. Janet and Bob stayed another day for a date night at the Grand Hotel. It turned out to be a more informal breakfast but just as enjoyable.

Approaching The Island

Island Harbor

Pere Marquette and Friend

Houses on Mackinac Island

Main Street - Horses and Bikes Only on the Island!

Four Looper boats left the Island for Mackinaw City later that day. The Straits of Mackinac is the waterway that links Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. The Mackinac Bridge connects the 'Mitten' or Lower Peninsula to the U.P. or Upper Peninsula. If your live Michigan you are either a Yooper or a Troll. We lived in the middle of the mitten or 'under the bridge' so that made us trolls!

Pulling Out of Mackinac Island

The Grand Hotel

Round Island Lighthouse

Straits of Mackinac Channel Marker

Aurora Crossing the Straits of Mackinac

Nice Facilities at Straits Harbor Marina

Mackinac Bridge

Mackinaw City, Tip of the Mitt

1 year and 2 days ago Mike raised our white AGLCA burgee at Straits Harbor Marina in Mackinaw City. Today the yellow burgee replaced it signifying that we had officially crossed our wake! Our adventure began on August 14, 2012, but this is where our loop intersected upon our return. Wow! Amazing!

Irish Attitude Crosses Her Wake - Straits Harbor Marina
Mackinaw City - August 23, 2013

Retired U.S. Coast Guard Ice Breaker,
Mackinaw, Now Serves as a  Museum

A Ferry's Rooster Tail at Sunset

'Mighty Mac' at Dusk

It was like experiencing deja vu.... Hallelujah pulled into the marina. Just like last year! Barb and Dave spent the summer touring Lake Superior. They said it was bit cold and sometimes buggy but beautiful. They invited us over for docktails on the back of Hallelujah. Barb, Dave, Mike and I filled our friends heads with all the wonders of boating in Michigan. Lake Michigan's coast has ports of refuge nearly every 20 miles. So, don't fear the lake, respect it and use good judgment! Margi, Barb and I walked along the shore. Later we had dinner at the Italian restaurant across Nicolet St. (Same as last year!)

The weather was not looking good for the next few days. Lucky for Mike and I because our friends Rick and Margi would be waiting out the weather, giving us a few more days together. An outdoor mall is an easy walk and we spent time visiting the shops. There was a concert in the park in the evening but the trio played a rather odd style of music. We moved on to the light show in the mall. A family band was just finishing up. They were good! Next up, local kids performed. Most were impressive but 1 young man's voice was changing and it was painful to watch or hear! It was like watching the beginning of American Idol! The light show was a let down so we returned to our boats for the night.

Margi heard from Dottie and Carl on  Down Time. They were on their way up Lake Huron, heading for Mackinaw City. They were part of the group that had spent a month on the Hudson River. Their boat was too tall to make the Canadian route an option. So they remained at Shady Harbor, waiting for the Erie Canal to open. They took some time and visited family in Ohio along the way. This is perfect for Rick and Margi. Now they will have a boat buddy to travel with. Harmony left from the Island and headed south down Lake Michigan. We walked to downtown, pick up some provisions and I exchanged my Canadian dollar bills for U.S. The bank would not take my Loonies and Toonies, too expensive to return due to the weight of coins vs. paper money. So I now have $20 in souvenirs! Great!

Tube Steak for Dinner!

The Sun Sets Over Mackinaw City

Sunrise

Tuesday, August 27 - Down Time was in port and Rick was getting antsy. It's a case of wanderlust we experience as Loopers. Mike and I were feeling it too. It was sooooo tempting to follow them out. We had plans to meet family over Labor Day weekend.... but if we motored down to Grand Haven we would be closer to them...??? Sorry, not in the cards. Eventually we would like to return Irish Attitude to Florida but not now. Reality is beginning to creep back into our lives.

Margi Tries, One More time, to Convince Us
 to Follow Them South! Very Tempting

Down Time Leaving Mackinaw City

Safe Travels, Dear Friends Rick and Margi!

Hallelujah and Boreas

Another couple we met last year in Mackinaw pulled in! Fred and Julane Eddy from Boreas. We caught up with them and compared experiences from the Loop. (They were returning when we saw them last year.) Every changing rivers.... For Hallelujah, the rivers were at flood stage, Boreas' were mean (average) and our experience they were low! Everyone's adventure had unique challenges. (I remember being glad we could see the wingdams. Hallelujah could only see them on the charts because the rivers were so high!) It's understandable why some repeat the Loop. It's a whole new journey.
The town filled up with more tourists as Labor Day weekend approached. Corvette car shows, craft shows and 'cattle shoots' erected for The Bridge walkers. On Labor Day, walkers are bused over to the U.P. side and walk back to the lower peninsula via the Mackinaw Bridge. A five mile walk that includes the state's governor. Walkers from the U.P. are then bused back afterwards.

Just when we thought we were alone a dinghy pulls up on the slip behind us. It was Rod and Nikki Constine! They were waiting to have their boat hauled for the season. Rod said to expect his brother Mark's family and their Mom and Dad (Lorraine and Dale). Good news. Mike's passion for boating was fostered by Dale's own interest. We had a good but brief visit on Hey Jude before it was time for as to leave... by car this time!

It was a good time for us to visit family down state. There are no car rentals in Mackinaw City!! Mike had to go all the way to Pelston, 30 miles or so to pick one up. He took an airport shuttle bus to get there! We met at Jen and Jared's in Grand Rapids. Rob had some time off and Kristy and Clint, would be in from Colorado. It's been awhile since we were all together. Of course the main attraction was our grandson, Cameron!  He was approaching 6 months old. Thank goodness for Facetime, but it's not the same as holding him. We spent a day at Lake Michigan in Grand Haven and even ran over to Bay City to check on the gang at Liberty Harbor.

Aunt Kristy, Cam, Jen and Jared

Cam, Uncle Rob and Grandpa

Jen and Cam

The Boys; Jared, Cam, Mike and Clint

The Girls; Jen, Chloe and Kristy

Grandpa, Cam and Chloe

For the return trip we followed US 31 up the coast of Lake Michigan. There are some beautiful views along that route. Back to Pelston and on the shuttle for our return home. We spent 2 weeks in Mackinaw City, longer than we planned. Delaying the inevitable.

For Irish Attitude the adventure is not over.... we still have to get down Lake Huron to Saginaw Bay, returning the boat to Bay City.