Mackinaw City

We survived our mini trip with the some destination adjustments. Things were a bit too hectic to do any postings while on the trip, but the Mifi worked fine. We decided to take everyone to Mackinac Island on Thursday the 14th. The Schwalbs stayed for dinner then took Sheplers back to Mackinaw City and spent a few more days at the cottage. The Crandalls stayed with us on the boat. Kelly and Don took the new fold up bikes for two laps around the Island before we left on Friday. Grandma took the kids for a walk while Grandpa cleaned the boat and got it ready for the trip.

All 5 grandkids on the Island, getting everyone to smile at once was next to impossible.

Our next stop was Beaver Island, which was very rough leaving the island then it smoothed out and was dead calm for the last 10 miles.  The trip was 48 miles and took us 5 hours, we got the last slip at Beaver Island marine.  After the long trip we decided to stay two days and then go to Harbor Springs for one night and then spend the last night at St. Helena instead of going on to Fayette.  We felt the shorter trips would be more kid friendly and allow some sailboat viewing of the Chicago to Mackinac race.  Kelly and Don were able to get in a nice long bike ride while, grandma and grandpa had a couple of short rides.

The trip to Harbor Springs on Sunday went off without a hitch, it was quite hot once we got tied up and everyone enjoyed swimming off the swim platform.

The skin divers.

Our plan was to leave Monday around noon, but a squall had came through overnight capsizing a boat in the Chicago to Mackinac race and another storm with 60 mph winds was predicted for the afternoon.  Needless to say we stayed put.  The storm that came through was not that bad and it became very steamy in the afternoon.  Not quite as hot as the day before but hot none the less.  

The Crandalls took a nice long dingy ride before dinner.

We were all set to leave early Tuesday morning but the fog had rolled in, at one point we could not see the end of the dock.  

Grandma going ashore in the fog.

The fog lifted mid morning and we were able to head back to Mackinaw City.

Don and Owen enjoying the water.

Owen strolling the deck.

The trip back went well just with a small amount of fog around Gray's Reef.  I pushed up the throttle a bit and we made the 51 mile trip in 4 hours.

All in all the trip went well and everyone enjoyed themselves.  We now have almost 50 hours on the boat and a better understanding of it's strengths and weaknesses.  Still getting used to docking with the single screw in a wind.