Did you know that rough seas can often bring warmer water? At least that's my memory of Lake Superior. The wind blows the warm surface water to shore, or some such. It's true in Lake Michigan today. I felt like a kid, romping in the surf. A good feeling. I needed it. Sometimes this boating-as-lifestyle … Continue reading Pentwater (Day 24)
(Update: Boo returned an hour after I posted this. Whew! Taking a pet on The Loop is rewarding--and sometimes stressful! Still, many people do it.) This is where Boo the Cat bolted. That's how I'll always think of Pentwater! I hope that by the time you read this, she has returned, but I decided to … Continue reading To Pentwater (Day 22-23)
Calm seas. New companions. Easy docking. Fabulous sunset. A good day! I'll have to remember this one when the "bad" days come, as surely they will. (Long-term boating is never all good, no matter what some die-hard boaters say. That's not to say it isn't worth doing -- just not "all good.") Our Frankfort-to-Ludington leg … Continue reading To Ludington (Day 21)
The Mainship Many Moons passed the 500-mile threshold today, celebrating with one of Frankfort's celebrated sunsets. Is that a milestone worth noting when the goal is 6,000 miles?? I'm not sure. The "ultimate milestone" seems very far away, in both time and mileage. Certainly other boats travel much faster than ours. We see them pass … Continue reading To Frankfort (Day 20)
In Lake Charlevoix, the dingy and board sat idle all day. Why? Boat wakes. Loads of them. All day. Today's lesson: Choose anchorages carefully! Choices can be limited by wind direction, water depth, personal risk level, and other boats anchored nearby. After scouting around a bit and bailing out on our first choice, we ended … Continue reading Lake Charlevoix (Day 17)
Glorious. That's the only word to adequately describe what it's like to pass under the Mackinac Bridge in your own boat at sunrise. I couldn't stop whooping! It also marks the official start of The Great Loop for Mainship Many Moons, since that's where we first intersected its route. (Only 6,000 miles to go!) We … Continue reading Mackinac Bridge (Day 15)
This is Murphy, an 80-lb. lab who lives on Slo Pace, a 40-foot Mainship. (Same kind of boat as ours, but longer.) We met him at the grocery store, along with his owners who were stocking up their boat. Just like us. On bikes. At the only grocery store in town. We also met the … Continue reading St. Ignace (Day 14)
We leave Grand Marais and its drama behind us at 0830, after watching the Inland Seas Schoolship raise its anchor. She had anchored near us the night before, so close that we could hear the orders being "barked." I'm so grateful for the first calm seas of the trip -- so calm, in fact, that … Continue reading To Whitefish Pt (Day 7)
Second day under way and it already feels like a week! We ask each other what day it is. (Our "calendar" is now the weather forecast.) We try to establish an on-board exercise regimen - planks and exercise bands for me, push-ups for Jeff - to keep our upper-body strength. I learn to keep food … Continue reading To Munising (Day 2)
Destination: unknown. Well, not exactly. Jeff's dream is to do The Great Loop (look it up), which would take at least six months and possibly a few years if done in sections. "The Loop" doesn't begin, for us, until we reach Mackinac Island and enter Lake Michigan. How far we go this year, and how … Continue reading Many Moons Leaves Home
For Many Moons 