Enjoying it up in North Channel

July 23rd and 24th
We left Little Current and headed out to Hotham Island with Inua. For being first timers up here it is sure nice to have someone that has been in these places. I know we have had many tell us where to go up here and what to see. But having someone first hand has sure been nice. Our anchorage could not have been an better. What a view we had and met some very nice cruisers. Everyone is so friendly as if your out and about on the boat they either wave or stop over for a chat to find out what your doing and where your headed and so on. I guess you can say it is a good thing in a way, but I have not had to clean any fish. But I have been trying to get a few as I will keep up the work, I guess it is a good thing they have tuna in a can.

July25th
We headed out @ 9 am as if we do not have to travel far (20 miles) we try not and leave to early. As the we hate the morning rush hour. You know it is like going to work, everyone is rushing to get there. Oh yea, backing up a bit here. While we were in Little Current I was setting in the cockpit watching a guy a few boat over doing a project, yes a project. I watched as he was doing something with a electric drill in a stern locker. It was not long and here he came and asked me if I had a extra long drill. Dam something I did not have but have many at home and I will add that to my list when we stop in Detroit to go back home for a week. After I told him I did not have one on board his comment was well I just maybe thought you would with how the boat is set up. Ok so when Jeannie came back from doing laundry I proceeded to tell her that maybe we need to rename our boat to ToolCrib. She did get a laugh out of that one. On the way we had to pass through an area what is called Little Detroit which is a small passage in the rocks that maybe 2 boats could pass side by side. But the procedure is to give a security call to alert other boats coming the other way that your approaching and entering the passage. It is interesting up here to look at the rock formation and the whole area. After passing through Little Detroit and going west I noticed how the water color and the rocks changed in appearance. We finally arrived in Bear Drop after passing the famous whales back that the area is named for. One of the books we have shows this pictures from years ago and it has only a few trees on it, well now there are quite a few. Each anchorage has its own beauty to it as you think when you come into it you’re the only one here. When we started to snake back into it wholly smokes. 7 other boat here as more came after we arrived. Then the wind came also. But it is a warm welcome or it would be hot up here. Buster also loved it as he was checking the whole harbor out looking for busterets. But all he could find this time was seagulls. Sorry but no luck this time.

July 28th
Today started listening to NOAA. As we had a front go through in the night and we were thinking of moving to Gore Bay. Rather mind ya I said thinking. After listening to the vhf radio. We confined with our friends over on Inua and we agreed to stay put one more day in Moiles harbor. As the day went on Jeannie said does this remind you of Beaver Island where we sat out 5 days in winds 25kts and above. The skies started clearing and the wind started picking up. So we sat and just read and did various things then about 4 ish I told Jeannie you know I think we are dragging anchor again. Sure enough we were. So we go into our standard fire drill routine. Ya start scrambling. We were fine as it is a small harbor laden with dead heads with 5 other boats. So after reanchoring we got back into our relax mode and started watching the other boats also. Usually when the winds pipe up and your on board w do not leave. Hey but were not all alike. I sat in our cockpit watching a crew-less boat dragging towards a 2nd boat as the women on board the boat soon to be hit was waving her arms for help. So Bill had seen it from his boat just about the time I did as well. So we both come from different boats and jump on board the dragging boat and got it started and moved back out into the harbor away from anyone. About 20 min later out of the woods come the owners as Bill and I were just holding their boat into the wind as I had brought in some anchor chain.
Well once the 2 other guys were on board it is their boat. As we listened to them one was asking the other what do I do. I looked at Bill and he looked at me and I asked the one owner, Would you like us to stay onboard. So we did. What had happened was he got his anchor wrapped around 2 huge logs in the bottom and that came up in the process of reanchoring his boat. All in all we got them off and everything went back to normal for the day.
July 29th
We left Moiles harbor and headed out to Gore Bay. It took us a few different tries as we had to change course as of the depth was in question. We were on the back side of a larger island and had to get around it to go back south. Looking at the charts it looks like a long distance but it is not actually that far. So we back tracked some which is not a problem as that is part of figuring things out up here.

post by Jeannie

Blog update Blog update!!!
Today is Thursday, July 22, 2010. Mutual Fun and crew arrived in Little Current, Ontario on Wednesday. I cannot tell you how nice it was and still is to be connected to the rest of the world!! We are slipped at the town docks, along with Bill and Evelyn of Inua. Little current is a nice little town with all the amenities one would need. Wednesday was laundry day, and then afterwords Randy and I took our computers to the Anchor Inn and logged on and ate dinner! It is so amazing how much we all get so used to being on the computer, and when you can’t be you have withdrawals (or that is the way it seems). As you all know the cell phones are on roaming so Jeannie is learning how to not grab the phone when she misses her family and friends. I think our 1st Cell Phone bill will be an eye opener! Today, Bill, Randy and I went to the grocery store, and to the LCBO for wine and liquor. We have come to the conclusion that Canada probably does not have a lot of winos or alcoholics that reside here, because the prices and the taxes to purchase, are very expensive! Hopefully we bought enough to see us through until we arrive back in the states. This afternoon, Evelyn and I walked the town and shopped a little. Most items are too expensive, so we just looked for the most part. I was thinking about all the money I spent on “the essentials” so I took the conservative approach! Today was also another laundry day because Randy failed to give me all of his dirty clothes the previous day! I am sorry I am telling family secrets. We have really had an awesome time thus far. The harbors we have traveled to are so beautiful, that anyone who does not believe there is a God, should come to the north channel!! Friday we will venture back out, to new sights. The conclusion of the Macatoulin is here in Little Current on Saturday, so we will be moving on. Neither Randy or myself have allowed to let each other cut their hair, so you can imagine that we now look like we belong in the hair bear bunch!! Oh well we don’t need to impress anyone! I can’t believe I haven’t worn makeup for almost 4 weeks! Yikes, I would never have done that when I was still working! Okay, so I guess I need to sign off until the next time. Thanks to all of you who are following us and for everyone’s comments. We love reading them when we can!! I imagine the guys would rather hear from Randy next time, so I will give him equal time! The sailing vessel, Mutual Fun

Finally the North Channel

July 11th Harbor Island, Mich.
We left St Ignace on the 10th and motored to government bay in the Les Cheneaux Islands. They are a bunch of finger Islands that you weave in and out of following a channel that was dredge last year and is still being done. One of the locals told us it was part of the stimulus plan money that is how it is being dredged. Just about and hour after we had the hook down we seen this boat coming in flying a BIG MSU flag. Only one we knew that would do that was Pat and Craig. On Island Time. What a refreshing time is was to see some familiar faces and to spend some time with them. We had a great dinner with them as we both put things together and had a great meal on Island Time. Then when we got back to Mutalfun our water pump for onboard water seemed to quit working. Sheee’s 9 o’clock at night and we got to get ready to leave in the morning, I said na it can wait till the next day. Well It is one of those mystery’s that you can not explain. I took it all apart and cleaned it and found nothing wrong but our bow water tank seemed empty. It holds 42 gallons and I know we could not have went thought that much water in 2 days. I got the pump working as I switched over to our other 2 tanks just to make sure and all was well. So what do you do when your in good clean Lake Huron water, refill your tanks. I got our water meter out and checked it and it was better then what we got at St Ignace.
So we continued on to Harbor Island passing up through Detour passage and passing one of the bigger light houses in Michigan. As we were rounding it I looked and wholly smokes, out pops a lady at the top of it.
It must be like a bed and light house thing as there were 3 others on it also and the only way to get to it is by boat or swim one heck of a long ways. Once we go into Harbor Island which is very protected from the winds every way but the southwest. Well we had some strong gust for a while out of the sw to around 25 kts but it was from a passing storm system that was to our west a bit. A few boats picked up and left but, hey were getting use to bigger blows as it only lasted about 4 hours then it died down so it was like glass through the night.

While the blow was going on we watched a Catalina 25 come in and it had sails and lines hanging in the water and all over the boat. It looked like it was someone around 30 yrs old so I thought he could handle it once he got anchored. After we had fixed dinner I had a couple from a anchored boat come over to us and told us that person on the boat was 19 and was a camp counselor and had a 2nd boat that was out and around in a 2nd cove and maybe had run aground. On that boat was the 2nd 19 yr old and in the group was 7 13 yr old boys that this was a 2 day sailing adventure for them. The 13 yrs olds were on shore and had built a fire. I was standing by on call for help from the couple that had went over to access the trouble. The 2nd Catalina had ran aground and we worked to get it off and reanchored. Between the couple and myself we got the boys all back onboard the boats and managed to drive there boat over to the 1st Catalina 25 and anchored them both off of 2 anchors and tied to each of the boats to each. They were very grateful for the 3 of us adults helping them out. I told them that this would be a story for them to remember and they all said oh yes it will, but one thing I noticed they were all very polite young boys. I was just glad they were all safe and sound.

July 13th Between John Island and Dewdney Island N/C
We left Vidal bay in a north east wind and a heavy haze, almost looked like rain coming. Once again we motored into the wind of 10 kts and a few rollers as we crossed over to the north west side of the north channel. As the morning grew so did the sun as we could look to the north east and seen a line of lighter clouds and sun coming. Yea! We had only about 20 miles to cover today and after the last few days it has been a warm welcome of not getting up and covering 30 to 40 miles. Jeannie and I are now at a point we can set a few days and only travel 10 to 15 miles. We were finally able to make radio contact with Dick and Mary on Grand Slam. We had planed on going to Trunbull Island but looking it over I was not so sure about getting into it as it is our first time amongst the rocks and cliffs. As Dick and Mary were leaving there and going to the Benjamin Island so we changed course and went over to John Island. This was our first real taste of seeing the rocks and cliffs. We finally did a dingy trip amongst the rocks and coves as there is so many places to go as we even seen a loon on a nest. It is so cool to hear them at night and in the morning What a treat it is to see all of this as I know t here is more to come. Even Buster had to get out and see some of the area. So we took him ashore so he could scout out some new area and what a time he had.

Were still not sure about his swimming so were being careful with where we let him wander off to. One thing we do love though is our ice maker. Once I got the inverter tweaked in we have yet to be with out ice.

July 15th. We are now setting in the Benjamin Islands and it just keeps getting better. I told Jeannie that if it stayed warm all year long here I would rather stay up here. For the ones that have not been up here in the North Channel it is hard to explain. Now we know that all of you that have what you have been telling us. WOW! We finally met up with Dick and Mary on Grand Slam and had a great day on the 14th with them as we went on a 3 hour dingy cruise out and around the islands and over to Fox Island. That was rather neat also. We found 3 boats tucked back into Fox Island and spoke with one of them that was from Pennsylvania and comes up here each year. We had a small storm come through in the early hours this morning (15th) but nothing bad. We knew it was coming as Dick has XM weather on their boat and that is a nice addition. With out the internet we are not able to tell what is on the way so we have to revert back to what Columbus had to do when he was sailing,. Look at the clouds and read them. It gives you a good idea what is coming. We have learned to do that over the years of sailing so it does help some. Oh well can not have sun and fun all the time.


July 18th Croker Island Ont.
After setting over in the Benjamin Islands for a few days we decided to move over to Croker Island, It was a mere 2.5 miles getting over there, That is one of the nice things once you do get up to the north channel,
You never really need to travel far to get to some other anchorage. Something we have finally noticed is that usually boats will start leaving mid morning and then about 3 or 4 pm they start arriving into anchorages. Each island has it own uniqueness and Croker had it’s own. Where we had anchored was a sandy beach wish is hard to find up here amongst the rocks. So Naturally I had to go and see what it had to offer. Ah what I found up in the woods was my own private outhouse. So naturally I had to go and use it, Hey one less dump in our boats head. I tried to get Jeannie to use it but she is not yet quite back to nature. Lol

Today is July 9 and we are in St Ignace at the public marina. It is very nice here! We are impressed with the layout of the marina and the close proximity to town. We will be leaving on Saturday for the Les Cheneaux Islands and then on to Canada the next day if weather is good. We will meet up with Dick and Mary, and possibly Craig and Pat. Bill and Evelyn will catch up with us eventually if all goes well. Well after spending 5 days on anchor at Beaver Island it was nice to be able to leave in good weather. However, when we did leave it was in very heavy fog for about 25 miles. I will let you all know that I do not like traveling in fog, even with radar!! I was a basket case the whole way, to the point of being nauseated!
I know Randy is very adept in his sailing skills but I was useless! For one thing he has a lot better distance vision than I do, and I was not able to see all that he was able to see. But we or rather I got through it. I had to buck up and and handle it! St Helena island was beautiful when we finally arrived. There were only 2 boats anchored there. Ken, and ourselves. Randy and I dingy ed to shore and walked the shore line. That was great! On Thursday we left for St Ignace, again in the fog. Fortunately we only had 10 miles to go, and as we were getting a pump out and fuel the beautiful sun came out!!!
I have to tell you all that I am surprised at myself thus far! I have so much to learn yet in the actual sailing part of this journey, and I do not mean putting the boat on autopilot. I have mastered that! Even though we have had a sailboat since 1998, I haven't become as proficient as I thought I would be at this point. But I will continue to learn every day and face any fears I have!! My husband is so very understanding! However if he yells at me for something I did not do right, he knows I will yell right back!! When we are both silent for a spell, we can then talk to each other like a very loving couple does! All apart of boating and I guess being together 24 7! Tonight we were invited over for wine and white fish by the couple next to us who also have a 36ft Catalina. Martha and Jack are a very nice couple who hail from Ohio. It was fun to talk with them and we both enjoyed our time with them. I have to let you know as I wind this up, that I really miss my daughter, son in law, My grandson J and Our grand dog, Daisy. I miss our oldest daughter also, but in a different way, as Josh and Leslie live in Florida, and we only get to see each other about 2 times a year. We will be in St Augustine in November so we will have a lot of time to be together! Yay!! I miss our friends also, and believe it or not, I miss my coworkers at times!! It's hard to forget about work, as far as my coworkers are concerned, because we were together so much of the time, for better or worse! I am not missing my job however! ObGyn has been a part of my life since 1988 and I could leave that with no problem. Well thanks again for being a part of our blog. I tend to get wordy but hey I have lots to say!! Love to all, Jeannie of S/V Mutual Fun.

Dogs night out

Ah it finally calmed down a bit so we could take our friends Lenny dog to shore as he is afraid of water and does not swim well. This post is mostly pictures so enjoy.

Well you all will now here some blog updates from Jeannie for a while! It is July 4 and Mutual Fun has been at Beaver Island since July 2. We are, of course, anchored in the St. James bay. Since about 1 hour before we got here, and as I write, the winds have blown 10-20 mph, gusting up to 30 mph. Today we saw 35 a few times!! This is an experience I will tell you! The big anchor is doing it’s job, or we would not be in the bay! A slip would be a must, as it is impossible to leave, and has been since the 2nd! The town is really something to see! Randy and I had dinner Saturday night at the Beaver Island Lodge. Some very nice friends of ours gave us a gift certificate, and we chose to use it. Our meals were fantastic! The wine wasn’t half bad either! Good Pinot Grigio, and great Pinot Noir! That’s what I like! Today, we went to town for a 4th of July parade, which was my 1st experience. We had a great time, being apart of the celebration. Our friend, Ken, is here on anchor also. We picked Ken and his dog, Lady, up on the dinghy and we all went to town in our dinghy chariot. My first experience going into the town was on Saturday, and getting wet was an experience also. As my driver maneuvered the dinghy, we got swamped several times. He was not only driving, he had 1 arm on me so that I wouldn’t fall off!! And they say chivalry is dead!! Saturday night as we headed into town again, this time I wore foul weather pants and foul weather jacket, with the hood up! That worked very well! We brought along a backpack and that stowed the gear just fine!! I am learning to adapt much faster than I thought I would! It is much easier when your sailing partner is very experienced and is patient! Tonight we will just hang around on the boat. There is supposed to be a boat parade at dusk, but with white caps on the water, that possibly might not happen. The town people did assure us that fireworks would still be happening! Monday it looks like weather is coming in so we will probably sit tight(?) for another couple of days before we head to our next port. Thanks for tuning us in to follow us. Oh for the friends that are not familiar with Beaver Island, you can only get here via boat, a ferry, and a private plane. But it is a good time! We will post again as we continue our journey! Roni, I am also counting your days til retirement! Jeannie

Wind Wind WInd

We spent the night anchored in Charlevoix (round lake) as we had to get some mail that was waiting for us at the Municipal Marina. We ran into a guy named Rodger that had Hunter 410 and it was his 2nd one as his first one was one of 3 boats that burnt up in Deltaville Yacht Center back in 2007. He actually gave us many ideas on where to go and what to see along the way on the Erie canal and the Hudson River. Listening to the weather it was finally going to be in our favor for a decent sail over to beaver Island a total of 35 miles. As I had looked at the weather for Beaver Island in the morning and it was saying 20 to 25 kts .

Well all we had seen most 33 mile was 12 to 15 till we reached the lea of Beaver and it was like someone turned the wind switch on. The rest of the day and looks like tomorrow the 4th all we have seen is 20 to 25 out of the south and it is not letting up. Sheee's I guess welcome to cruising. All I have to say is Jeannie has been a trooper in all of this and thank god I bought the head sets out east last year so we can talk to each other when anchoring. They are a true marriage saver trust me!!! Now that we got the mail that we were waiting for we can slooooow down some and relax, Yea!!

We tried our 44 lb delta and no way was that holding so as Jeannie did her best to hold the boat into the wind I had to go to plan b. Switch anchors to our Danforth. We actually have that out and out 33 lbs bruce. As we set here watching other boats drag and when they pull up anchor it is always a plow or delta. We figure we will be here at Beaver till Monday the 5th as we had Ken from Fairwinds over for dinner tonight and more friends are on the way tomorrow. All as tomorrow Buster is going to town as were thinking a trip to the the Shamrock bar. Also we were given a monkey last year by some good friends Bill and Kathy that Buster seems to have made friends with.