Hello again from “Terr”. I write best when fully motivated to do so. We have finally arrived in the US of A having set out from Long Point Cove, North Channel, going directly to Drummond Island. We were sad to leave the beautiful anchorage with soaring rock cliffs, rock and pine islands, clean, clear water and even a few wild black berries. The weather was perfect for a crossing, almost glass water, so today was the day!
We were excited to arrive in Drummond Island Yacht Haven as the Ports book lead us to believe that it was a thriving boating community. It had every amenity that a cruising crew would require. Yes, there are docks and we checked into customs uneventfully, (even though certain original documents were not aboard Terrmar as I had been led to believe – that is another story I won’t go into here). The customs agent was very polite and professional so we settled in for a peaceful night of no stress.
We had a pleasant dinner and talked with Danielle and Lauren and then settled back for a lazy night. With a spritzer in hand while conversing with Captain Mark, I spied the events unfolding a dock away. A US law enforcement officer walked very quickly to the large yacht to our north. Due to the location and position of the setting sun I had a very handy view of the interior of the yacht. Within minutes I spotted the law man (not sure if customs or regular police) at the aft party deck of the yacht. I watched in disbelief as all the party people stood to attention and then watched again, mesmerized as the law officer physically searched one of the female persons. Minutes later about half a dozen people, (one fellow dressed in a coral suit jacket and suit hat) emerged from the boat and walked to the mainland. I kept watch for the law officer to emerge, but must have missed his departure. Very unsettling to be sure.
The next morning we listened to weather and decided we were good to go in SW 10 knot winds and less than 3 ft. waves. Liars…liars!!!! Thank goodness our trip was only 3½ hours to Government Island, having to endure 20 knot plus winds and 1-1 ½ metre waves (with the odd 2 metre to keep it interesting). There was much to clean up after our journey but the bay seemed very pleasant and sheltered. We had just started relaxing after spending 2 hours on the phone with Bell trying to figure out why our “North American” telephone plan was not working. The result – they don’t know why AT&T was blocking the Bell signal and not cooperating. (This to be continued). Mark handed me a spritz and I began to relax knowing we were well anchored with raging 20 knot plus winds and menacing cloud formations all around us.
Our tranquility was interrupted by a thundering, tiny, run-about vessel that rudely buzzed the aft of our boat and caused a tremendous wake, so as to almost hurl our poor Smudge into the cock pit from the swim platform. I had seen him coming, a nice elderly gentleman and his wife and had waved with no response and waved again thinking they did not see me, but yet again no response. They then barrelled into a dock beside a neighbouring cottage and were met by a male dock servant. Thinking they had made their point and not wanting to upset the mood, Mark and I proceeded to enjoy a wonderful meal of BBQ steak, potatoes and veg (Mark makes the best!) and settled down for a quiet night as the weather was finally starting to calm down. Holy Bat Boat – here they come again, quite obviously they wanted to accent the point that we were not welcome! Looking around, we are 1 of 2 boats anchored in this very large anchorage. This time they steered in the opposite direction, but still creating a massive wake, too close for comfort. Very ungracious and not the best of first impressions of our short experience in the US of A!
Well tomorrow is a new day and if the weather cooperates we will head to Mackinac City for a day of sightseeing. Last time we visited Mackinac Island, a few hundred years ago, our girls were very little and we could not afford to take the horse carriage tour. What our girls will never forget is that the tour operators would not even allow them to pet the horses, but we did manage to get some delicious fudge! We will be thinking of our girls on this next leg and wish them light and love!
We were excited to arrive in Drummond Island Yacht Haven as the Ports book lead us to believe that it was a thriving boating community. It had every amenity that a cruising crew would require. Yes, there are docks and we checked into customs uneventfully, (even though certain original documents were not aboard Terrmar as I had been led to believe – that is another story I won’t go into here). The customs agent was very polite and professional so we settled in for a peaceful night of no stress.
We had a pleasant dinner and talked with Danielle and Lauren and then settled back for a lazy night. With a spritzer in hand while conversing with Captain Mark, I spied the events unfolding a dock away. A US law enforcement officer walked very quickly to the large yacht to our north. Due to the location and position of the setting sun I had a very handy view of the interior of the yacht. Within minutes I spotted the law man (not sure if customs or regular police) at the aft party deck of the yacht. I watched in disbelief as all the party people stood to attention and then watched again, mesmerized as the law officer physically searched one of the female persons. Minutes later about half a dozen people, (one fellow dressed in a coral suit jacket and suit hat) emerged from the boat and walked to the mainland. I kept watch for the law officer to emerge, but must have missed his departure. Very unsettling to be sure.
The next morning we listened to weather and decided we were good to go in SW 10 knot winds and less than 3 ft. waves. Liars…liars!!!! Thank goodness our trip was only 3½ hours to Government Island, having to endure 20 knot plus winds and 1-1 ½ metre waves (with the odd 2 metre to keep it interesting). There was much to clean up after our journey but the bay seemed very pleasant and sheltered. We had just started relaxing after spending 2 hours on the phone with Bell trying to figure out why our “North American” telephone plan was not working. The result – they don’t know why AT&T was blocking the Bell signal and not cooperating. (This to be continued). Mark handed me a spritz and I began to relax knowing we were well anchored with raging 20 knot plus winds and menacing cloud formations all around us.
Our tranquility was interrupted by a thundering, tiny, run-about vessel that rudely buzzed the aft of our boat and caused a tremendous wake, so as to almost hurl our poor Smudge into the cock pit from the swim platform. I had seen him coming, a nice elderly gentleman and his wife and had waved with no response and waved again thinking they did not see me, but yet again no response. They then barrelled into a dock beside a neighbouring cottage and were met by a male dock servant. Thinking they had made their point and not wanting to upset the mood, Mark and I proceeded to enjoy a wonderful meal of BBQ steak, potatoes and veg (Mark makes the best!) and settled down for a quiet night as the weather was finally starting to calm down. Holy Bat Boat – here they come again, quite obviously they wanted to accent the point that we were not welcome! Looking around, we are 1 of 2 boats anchored in this very large anchorage. This time they steered in the opposite direction, but still creating a massive wake, too close for comfort. Very ungracious and not the best of first impressions of our short experience in the US of A!
Well tomorrow is a new day and if the weather cooperates we will head to Mackinac City for a day of sightseeing. Last time we visited Mackinac Island, a few hundred years ago, our girls were very little and we could not afford to take the horse carriage tour. What our girls will never forget is that the tour operators would not even allow them to pet the horses, but we did manage to get some delicious fudge! We will be thinking of our girls on this next leg and wish them light and love!
PS. As I am finishing this excerpt, Mark is in dreamland as I try to enjoy the surrounding tranquility. As his snores become more and more inflated, the sound of gunshots are heard from the direction of the cottages, while dogs begin howling. Can’t wait for the next chapter, so-o-o-o glad I smudged the boat.
Until the next time.
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