Happy Birthday Candice!!!!
Last night the weather gods have offered a window to head down the lake. We had two choices, Beaver Island, MI (30 miles) or Charlevoix ,MI (50 miles). We did not want to be caught on an Island where strong winds in any direction would hamper future progress. Charlevoix it would be. The promised Northerlies would be an issue for only the first 15 miles. After that the balance of our journey would have the wind on our starboard quarter or stern and of course it would be a much more comfortable ride. Head South young man, Charlevoix it would be. The first 15 miles or so were indeed a little rough as we were heading into the waves a bit. But when we turned south for the last 35 miles things smoothed out and it actually got better and better as the day wore on.
We had been trying to time the last few hours so as to make the Charlevoix Draw Bridge that opens only on a 30 minute schedule. However the Salmon were now running and the local fisherman were out on the lake in force and they don’t move for anyone. You must of course read their minds and assume that they know what they are doing. Their underprivileged cousins that must fish off of the channel wall appeared to be taking lessons from the power boaters. They also move there lines for no one. Picture this, big boat coming out of the channel and we were going into the channel and neither one of us could leave a lot of room for anything or anyone else. I collected two fishing lures and a little bit of fishing line on our prop that afternoon. Fear not, as I had installed a Shark Cutter on my prop shaft this spring and I have donated my new found lures to the assortment that is buried in the silt of the Charlevoix Channel.
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| APPROACHING THE BRIDGE IN CHARLEVOIX CHANNEL |
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| TIGHT QUARTERS IN THE CHANNEL SORRY MR. FISHERMAN |
We made our bridge on time and are quickly safe in our slip. The dock master was chatting with Terri even before the boat had stopped. It seems in his opinion our Canadian Flag was too big in size in relation to the American Flag that we were flying in proper station on the starboard halyard. Terri was fast on her feet though cheerfully enlightening the harbour master that we have taken our cue from the American boaters in the North Channel back in Canada. Should we get a smaller sized Canadian flag? No way, but I might consider purchasing a slightly larger American Flag if I happen to see one. Obviously, fun banter all the way around.
Good night.
Mark
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