Sunday, August 9, 2009

Sailcation (August 1-6, 2009)

Day 1: Left Holland at 6:00 a.m. Couldn't drive faster than 55 mph because the boat would sway. Stopped for breakfast at Bob Evans in Big Rapids. Arrived to rain in Detour Village at 2:00 p.m.; ate lunch at Mainsail. People very friendly, got ride from the grocery store to the marina, walked to the bait shop and bought a chart, by then sunny. Were on the water by 5:30 p.m. Waves 1-3'. Camped for the night in Pike Bay on the southside of Drummond Island. Had hot dogs for dinner, forgot condiments. Lots of mosquitos in the boat.

Day 2: Woke up to sun. Had ham on toast for breakfast. Waves 2' on the lake. Went to Whitney Bay and stopped at Fort Drummond marina. Bought a new extendable boat hook for $39.95. Decided to stay at the marina ($13). Decided to walk to town but made a wrong turn and ended up at the ferry dock. Walked 8 miles or so. Sky clouded up and was very windy but cleared up later. Got into boat early to avoid repeat of previous night's mosquito bloodbath. Make tuna sandwiches; double decker for Jarod and added cranberry and carrot to ours. Day 3: Woke up to sprinkles. Jarod got a Choco-taco from the marina store. Left for Detour Village at 8:30 a.m. Waves 1-2' Got a day slip at the marina in Detour for $5. Ate breakfast at Mainsail and coffee at The Garage. Jarod got a chocolate shake. Bought groceries and checked on the truck. Left marina after a shower to go to Harbor Island. Calm waters and mist to light rain and fog. Took about 1 1/2 hours. Decided to fish, Jarod caught a crawfish with ham. Three other sailboats in the large harbor one in the small. Day 4: Woke up to clouds and wind. Drifted and pulled up a 8"x5' log with the Danny. Bob made an omelet for breakfast. Jarod, peanut butter toast. Motored to Drummond Island Yacht Haven. Jarod got a Choco-taco. Walked 2 1/2 miles to the grocery store. Found a geocache at a memorial across from a museum on the way. Were startled by 3 blue racers on the way into town. Bob stepped on one on the way back. Ate lunch at Northwoods. Very good. Bob had a burger with ranch dressing, jalapenos, and pepper jack cheese; vowed to make it at home. Motored to Whiskey Bay, ON. Checked in the customs at phone with 800 number. Very windy along the way, 2'3' swells. 18 mpg winds gusting to 30. Lots of spray and waves over the bow. got really wet. Got stuck on a sandbar just west of Whiskey Bay; Bob got out and pushed. Ended up turning around and camping for the night in a small bay on the northside of Teney Bay. Calm water all night. Watched terns fish.
Day 5: Freezing last night!!! Woke up to sun and calm water. Watched terns fish some more. Left Teney Bay and SAILED with main sail around the east side of the island; 3/4 smooth sailing, 1/4 rough. Motored around the southside of the island, after the winds changed, to Detour Village, decided to stay at the marina ($25), ate at Mainsail, slept well, six geese pooped all over the dock, our porta potty full too. After seeing weather reports for the rest of the week, decided to get going home tomorrow.
Day 6: Took shower! Ate breakfast on the boat after walking through town. Nothing opens until 9:00 a.m. Left for Drummond Yacht Haven to check back into customs. Weather was sunny and beautiful; only perfect day. Bought gas $17.50 for 5 gallons. Customs officer arrived at noon, we were seventh in line, but managed to be cleared to go by 12:25 p.m. Motored back to Detour Village and had the boat out of the water and on it's trailer by 3:00 p.m. Stopped by Spicy Bob's Italian Restaurant in Gaylord for dinner. Arrived at home at 11:00 p.m.