Wind Song Journey: 8/17-8/21/2012

Friday - just another day on the water. We are hangin out at Charlevoix waiting for weather to be reasonable on Lake Michigan. Jerry went to the bakery this morning. I was reading and didn't want to get dressed. He came back and started working on the transferring diesel fuel from one tank to the other. Basically wanted to see how much we had.

So he starts a low pressure pump to transfer the fuel. Thinking he has less than the 200 gallon tank he is moving it to, it shouldn't be a problem. Someone bangs on the side of the boat saying we're pumping fuel overboard. Jerry immediately turns off the pump stopping the flow. Unfortunately, some did spill into the water. Maybe 3-4 gallons, enough to see on the top of the water. Next thing we know the Coast Guard has been called as well as the Charlevoix Fire Department. It was quite a circus. The Coast Guard took a report, the Fire Dept put out booms around the marina to prevent the fuel from moving into Round Lake. Jerry had something he has used in the bilge to clean up oil and fuel so dropped them into the water as well around our boat. The Fire Dept also sprayed dispersant to dissipate the fuel. To add to the circus, Charlevoix stores were having sidewalk sales just up the hill from the marina so all the hoopla brought lots of lookie loos. All in all, it was pretty embarrassing.

Our buddies, on the Coast Guard boat

The Coast Guard guys were really great. I think they didn't believe this was that big a deal. However, they had been called therefore, they had to do their job. Understandable. About 2 hours later, things calmed down, everyone left and they had moved the "boom of shame" so it was just around our boat. About 5pm we had a visit from a couple of more Coast Guard guys. They came by to see the engine room and the notorious fuel pump. One told us we would receive a Warning in the mail with no fines. But we could protest and usually all that came of that is something more than a warning. We won't be protesting anything! Also, the assistant harbor master came by. We apologized for the mishap. He said, these things happen.

A couple from Last Resort invited us over for drinks that evening. We were so ready to talk about something other than fuel spills. Don and Freya are Canadian and wonderful interesting people. We certainly enjoyed our time with them. They started the loop in Florida.

Saturday - today had to be a better day than yesterday. We did breakfast out. Came back and picked up some of the absorbent pads that were in the water next to the boat. Soon after, the harbor master and his assistant came by to pick up the boom around the boat. They were both really great about the whole thing.

That afternoon we went to the movies to see "The Campaign" with Will Ferrell. We laughed and laughed and ate popcorn. Rode bikes in the afternoon, about 10 miles.

Freya came by and invited us over again along with Tara and Joe from Seabatical. Had another good evening.

Sunday - weather looked good so we took off about 7:30. Thought we would stop at Leland but with the weather being what it was, great, we decided to take advantage. Seventy four miles later, we were in Frankfort, MI.

The bridge at Charlevoix

Passed Sleeping Bear Dunes. Jerry sent a text to Trudy and Kendell. They had all done a vacation years ago and stopped here

We arrived at Frankfort around 4pm.

The seawall at Frankfort.

As we were getting settled, Edie from Seaquel stopped by and invited us to docktails.

There were probably 5-6 other looper boats at the marina. I needed some cream cheese for our appetizers so we took off for the store only we didn't know where it was. We ended up riding way out of the way, but that was OK, since we needed the exercise.

Saw these swans in the harbor. Swans are such beautiful birds.

Met with Last Resort, Queen Kathleen, Northern Spirit, Quest and Seaquel. Had a great time! Forgot to take pictures.

Monday - weather is holding so want to cross the lake to Wisconsin. Left the dock about 7:30 again. Water was calm with a slight breeze. It's only 52F outside so both of us have on jackets.

Water is deep. I didn't realize how deep Lake Michigan is. At one point, we registered over 1000 ft depths. The lake has a surface area of 22,300 square miles, making it the largest freshwater lake in the U.S. and the 5th largest lake in the world.

Our trip from Frankfort, MI to Manitowoc, WI across Lake Michigan was 80 miles and took us over 10 hours averaging 7.7 mph. We saw 3-4 freighters.

One, Algosteel, was on a course that passed within a mile of us. Jerry contacted the ship to let him know we saw him and as long as we both stayed on our current path there would be no issue. He said he had been watching us as well, good to know.

Made it into Manitowoc. We had been here looking at boats a few years back. Nice little town.

The lighthouse at the sea wall coming into Manitowoc.

I'm driving into the harbor and the slip.

A couple came by, Anita and Don, almost loopers. They plan to leave from here September 10th. We talked for about 45 minutes. Anita said she has been watching for other loopers but none come to this side of the lake. We are the first loopers she has met.

Dinner in tonight.

Tuesday - Anita told us about a good place for breakfast so we walked to 8th and York, the name of the restaurant. It's located at 8th and York also. Good food. It was early so none of the shops were open yet. Back to boat to figure out what to do today.

There is a great bike trail from here to Two Rivers. I need a new bike seat. The one we bought in St. Ignace was just not working for me. Found a great bike shop in town so took the bikes there on our way to do the trail. Man what a difference it makes having a comfortable seat.

The SS Badger is the is a coal-fired passenger and vehicle ferry that has been in Lake Michigan service from 1953 until present. It shuttles between Ludington, MI and Manitowoc, WI. The SS Badger is the last coal passenger vessel operating on the Great Lakes.

One of the lovely gardens along the bike trail.