Tuesday, 9/9, we left Marquette at 7am with hopes of getting to Grand Marais MI but that was not to be. The forecast predicted a possible small craft advisory for the afternoon but we hoped that we could make some distance before that. We proceeded eastward into the sun and a 1 foot chop on the lake. About 11 am the wind was more from the NW which gave it distance to build-up 3-4 foot waves off our stern. We were surfing and hit speeds of 11knts. Still had good control of the boat but decided to duck behind Grand Island to anchor to see if the anticipated lull by 3pm would occur. It did not but we had a wonderful afternoon anchorage which reminded us of our favorite anchorage in the Apostle Islands—Big Bay. We even had a chance to raise our riding sail and it kept us very comfortable at anchor.
We proceeded to Munising for the night and passed Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Bob was a NYC boy of 12 when he came here for his first camping experience with his Aunt Joan and Uncle Tom and their kids, Maura and Tommy. They must have really gotten into the experience and looked kind of scruffy as another tourist offered to give them money as they stood in line for the scenic boat ride. I think Bob took it.
Munising is a delightful small town with very helpful marina staff. We were fortunate to get here for the Farmer’s Market and Fish Boil. 3 sisters decided that Munising needed more of a sense of community and so petitioned the town to invest in a brick oven for the marina park. Their motto was the town that eats together, comes together. We certainly saw that spirit on Tuesday night. The fish boil was delicious and the brick oven cranked out wonderful apple pies, blueberry pinwheels and fresh bread.
Wednesday, 9/10, we again left early at 7am after a calm night and great sleep. South wind on the lake with 1 foot waves and plan is to go to Grand Marais MI and it looks doable today. 5 hour journey today and passed Grand Sable Light and Au Sable dunes which run for miles along the shore. Grand Marais is a picturesque little harbor and we were welcomed with the noon day bells. Sightseeing around town to the beach, the Pickle Barrel house built for the Teenie Weenie cartoonist, and I was even able to purchase some pool time at the North Shore Lodge. Last time we were here was in 2005 when we had some bad diesel and had to change the primary and secondary filters—this time was way more fun.
Thursday, 9/11, we had some decisions to make. A small craft advisory for Whitefish Bay for late afternoon was forecast but the Friday forecast was even worse. Decisions…decisions. We had one more long leg to make to exit Lake Superior at the Soo and she was not going to make this easy. The deciding factor was that the wind was forecast from the S so we would not have beam seas. We cast-off at 7am and arrived at the Kemp Marina after doing the Soo lock at 7pm. It was a pretty calm journey until the afternoon when we turned into Whitefish Bay and there to greet us were 3=4 foot seas that sometimes built to 6 footers. Bob did a masterful job of piloting and our boat was tested and passed with flying colors—not that we want to do that too much.
Friday, 9/12, we decided to get a later start and take a long walk around Sault Ste Marie. It’s a working port with all types of boats and services everywhere but there are also attractions along the waterfront. The Kemp museum, Baraga house, Elmwood and Johnson house overlook the Kemp marina and offer a look back into earlier times here. The Soo Lock park is interesting and offers an interpretive center, walking trails, observation deck, fountains and a Japanese Torii arch. The Soo locks were completed in 1855 in order to scale the St. Mary’s River rapids and link Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Prior to the locks, boats traveled up the river but then were portaged 1 mile on land to bypass the rapids and this could take 2-3 months to complete.
We set out for Detour Village at around 10:30 with overcast skies but were soon greeted with sun and blue skies as well as ore boats up close and personal. We went down the St. Mary’s river with the Walter McCarthy and took turns being in the lead. Docked at Detour at 3:30 and we look forward to more relaxing boating days like today. Walked around town for 2 hours along the paths by shore and also went out to the botanic garden. Full moon is rising now and we look forward to meeting some fellow boaters along the dock. Life is good.
We proceeded to Munising for the night and passed Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Bob was a NYC boy of 12 when he came here for his first camping experience with his Aunt Joan and Uncle Tom and their kids, Maura and Tommy. They must have really gotten into the experience and looked kind of scruffy as another tourist offered to give them money as they stood in line for the scenic boat ride. I think Bob took it.
Munising is a delightful small town with very helpful marina staff. We were fortunate to get here for the Farmer’s Market and Fish Boil. 3 sisters decided that Munising needed more of a sense of community and so petitioned the town to invest in a brick oven for the marina park. Their motto was the town that eats together, comes together. We certainly saw that spirit on Tuesday night. The fish boil was delicious and the brick oven cranked out wonderful apple pies, blueberry pinwheels and fresh bread.
Wednesday, 9/10, we again left early at 7am after a calm night and great sleep. South wind on the lake with 1 foot waves and plan is to go to Grand Marais MI and it looks doable today. 5 hour journey today and passed Grand Sable Light and Au Sable dunes which run for miles along the shore. Grand Marais is a picturesque little harbor and we were welcomed with the noon day bells. Sightseeing around town to the beach, the Pickle Barrel house built for the Teenie Weenie cartoonist, and I was even able to purchase some pool time at the North Shore Lodge. Last time we were here was in 2005 when we had some bad diesel and had to change the primary and secondary filters—this time was way more fun.
Thursday, 9/11, we had some decisions to make. A small craft advisory for Whitefish Bay for late afternoon was forecast but the Friday forecast was even worse. Decisions…decisions. We had one more long leg to make to exit Lake Superior at the Soo and she was not going to make this easy. The deciding factor was that the wind was forecast from the S so we would not have beam seas. We cast-off at 7am and arrived at the Kemp Marina after doing the Soo lock at 7pm. It was a pretty calm journey until the afternoon when we turned into Whitefish Bay and there to greet us were 3=4 foot seas that sometimes built to 6 footers. Bob did a masterful job of piloting and our boat was tested and passed with flying colors—not that we want to do that too much.
Friday, 9/12, we decided to get a later start and take a long walk around Sault Ste Marie. It’s a working port with all types of boats and services everywhere but there are also attractions along the waterfront. The Kemp museum, Baraga house, Elmwood and Johnson house overlook the Kemp marina and offer a look back into earlier times here. The Soo Lock park is interesting and offers an interpretive center, walking trails, observation deck, fountains and a Japanese Torii arch. The Soo locks were completed in 1855 in order to scale the St. Mary’s River rapids and link Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Prior to the locks, boats traveled up the river but then were portaged 1 mile on land to bypass the rapids and this could take 2-3 months to complete.
We set out for Detour Village at around 10:30 with overcast skies but were soon greeted with sun and blue skies as well as ore boats up close and personal. We went down the St. Mary’s river with the Walter McCarthy and took turns being in the lead. Docked at Detour at 3:30 and we look forward to more relaxing boating days like today. Walked around town for 2 hours along the paths by shore and also went out to the botanic garden. Full moon is rising now and we look forward to meeting some fellow boaters along the dock. Life is good.
