August 4, 2007

An old Lake Huron saying "when the wind is from the north don't go forth". It is true, as Lake Huron runs North to South and any north wind gives the lake a huge opportunity to show its muscle and build large waves. As we arose this morning a stiff breeze from the north was blowing and the weather buoys in the lake were indicating 4-5 ft waves--so we did not go forth. The crew was prepared to stay in port another day. However by noon the Lake decided to lay down and the waves dropped to less than two's as they say. So we did venture forth and set out for Alpena which is at the west end of Thunder Bay which in itself is a big body of water. Only 32 miles by water--at trawler speed we arrived at 4pm. Another nice marina and a grocery store very nearby. I went on a mission to find a liquor store. Everyone said it was just down the street. Just down the street turned out to be a mile. When you ask for directions to someone that drives, everything is just down the street and I should have learned that lesson long ago. Anyway I got my walk in for the day! Marinated chicken and vegetables on the grill were the eats for dinner.

We have traveled 296 statue miles so far, putting 29 hrs on the engines. We have an autopilot on the boat so the captain can sit back and relax, keeping an eye on the radar and an eye on the road. You can usually see boats on the radar long before you can see them with your eyes.

The picture is of Allison coiling the excess line on the dock so we look like true sailors. On her right arm is the brace she wears until her arm heals. She tangled with some playground equipment this summer and fractured her arm and dislocated her elbow. Also I was quickly corrected after my post yesterday--she is 12 and not 11