August 7-8, 2007

Today August 7th, the weather was great for our short hop(38 mi) from Rogers City to Cheboygan. Cloudy and overcast so the eisenglass enclosure windows on the flybridge were left closed. The boat has two pilot stations and the captain pilots the boat from the upper station or flybridge because the visibility is so much better. Only in really rough weather do I pilot from the lower station. I also use this station when docking or leaving the dock as I can help with the lines or have better communication with the crew. Rogers City is a a nice town but there is not a grocery real close. This Marina does not have any old folks loaner bikes so Conner and I took a tour of the town on the foldies. We also rode out to the lighthouse marking the entrance to the river. As we came back to the boat fog absolutely enveloped the lake and it reduced visibility to near zero. It was very eerie and we were glad we were at the dock. It did not last long but the wind died and conditions were just right for it to develop. We ate at the BoatHouse restaurant tonight which is on the Cheboygan River. They have a shuttle that picked us up.

August 8th-Wednesday---As Cheboygan came into view yesterday we could see the twin towers of the Mackinaw Bridge in the distance, so if your geographical orientation has not been familiar you now should know where we are. Our plans today were to make the 18 mile hop to Mackinac Island and dock there for two days. The flag was showing a brisk north wind as we awakened and no boats were leaving. The sailboats usually leave early and arrive late in the afternoon. Another problem arose as there was no dockage available at the Island. By 11:00 am the wind layed down somewhat and since we could not go to the Island, St. Ignace which is at north end of the bridge was the chosen destination. They have ferry service to the Island from nearby the St Ignace marina. Our crossing to St. Ignace was very smooth. The marina is new and exceptionally nice. We were all awestruck by the clarity of the water here at the Marina. Our depth meter reads 18 feet and you can see the bottom in very vivid detail. Another Looper boat, Endeavour, that we have been traveling with decided to stop at Mackinaw City. There is only one other Looper boat here. Crazy Eights, with Rich and Lee Johnson aboard from St. Simons Island GA. Everyone thought I had snuck off to get ice cream without them, but I was walking the dock and saw their Looper Burgee and the conversation began. Tomorrow we will take the ferry to the Island. Connor and Allison have not been there and it has been several boats ago since we have been there. Barbequed shrimp stir fry, and fresh Sweet Corn on the cob that Allison and I retrieved from the grocery store on our bikes. Statue miles traveled 416

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The picture is the light marking the entrance to St. Ignace Harbor