We went a whole 7 miles to Harbor Island. It is a wonderful natural harbor and we should be protected from most winds. There is a storm coming through (of course). The sky is blue and it is warm.
We have spent the day reading. We will have a gourmet dinner tonight. Last night at the restaurant we ordered a rib dinner to go. No cooking for me tonight. It is my birthday! Kelley had a card for me this morning. Aw, how sweet.

Sunday Morning Update: storm came through after midnight and it was a wet and windy one. The anchor held. This morning Kelley went out and had to sweep up 1,000′s of these bugs that only live 24 hours. They smell when they get wet. I’ll upload pictures when we have better Internet.
The sun is out now and no storm is expected, just wind, which will come from different directions as the day progresses.
Cheers

What happened to flat like a lake? Where did this wind come from? Pleeeeeese. Well, it wasn’t that bad. We have been so spoiled the last few days we should have known it would all be too good to be true. In reality, it wasn’t bad at all. Choppy with “crisp” swells. Some white caps. Nothing like some of the crossings we have had to Catalina.

We were pleased to pull into the marina. It is also almost empty. Usually we back in but I had read that you could sit in the marina and watch the freighters go right by. Kelley was sweet and we pulled in nose first. And sure enough, the book wasn’t lying.

This was just one of many that wen by.

There is also game here called “Catch the Log.” The dockmaster throws an anchor and slowly drags the huge piece of wood to shore. There is a slip that is filled with  similar pieces. Wonder if they build new docks from this wood?

We strolled through town; perhaps 20 minutes. When you start into the town there is a huge carving. It is called Passage Keeper:

We loved this sign in front of a house and thought that many of our friends on Balboa Island or out on the Peninsula might want to copy the idea.

But, dinner out tonight. We are celebrating a birthday!

Tomorrow we plan to go to Harbor Island and anchor for a couple of days. We need peace and quiet. Cruising takes a lot out of you. (Sure!) I will continue to write, but I will have to upload the pieces when we get Internet again.

From Thunder Bay to Rogers City we saw a couple of beautiful lighthouses. Michigan has a program that lets people rent them for a few days. Wouldn’t that be fun?

The lake has been so calm. Our days have been filled with reading, working puzzles,  knitting, looking for something to take of a picture of, checking for fishing stakes, and, of course, dining on gourmet meals. I don’t think it can get much better than this.

We reach Rogers City and the dockmaster is so happy to host us. We are his only transient. He told us that last year was very slow and this year is “dead.” We wonder if it is because the weather isn’t great. This is their weather, we are told. Michigan needs are help. We are pleased that we are here to to do our part. I wish all of our friends could be here with us cruising and enjoying this beautiful state.

We start our walk into town and we can’t miss this opportunity. This is from a ship that sank…we thought we would let Tom Murphy know that his props arrived and they are the perfect size for Prime Time.

A street of flags greets us.

We wandered around Rogers City (maybe took 30 minutes); hurried back because it was drizzling; made waypoints for the spots that we want to visit in the North Channel and the Georgian Bay, and then, during cocktails, the band started playing.

Yep, Thursday and Friday nights in the park which is adjacent to the marina there is a free concert. Patriotic music, soft dancing music. It was great.

And what we found interesting is that most of the audience drive into the parking lot, stay in their cars or trucks, and we couldn’t hear applause, but we heard horn honking! It really was a treat.

And now Prime Time is at home for the night.

So, the plan is that we will leave for DeTour Village. We will be crossing the Straits of Mackinaw. Yes, THE STRAITS.

We want to share with you, one of many to come, we hope. Thanks for joining us on this voyage.