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