To Whitefish Pt (Day 7)

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)

Grand Marais (Day 6)

Yup, still here. Why? The biannual Trans Superior International Yacht Race, which begins in three days near Sault Ste. Marie ("The Soo," to locals.) That's where we're headed -- and many yachts too, who are competing with us for dock space. We've been traveling with some of them for days. We gave them the pier … Continue reading Grand Marais (Day 6)

Grand Marais (Day 5)

Sometimes boats break, and sometimes people break - and sometimes both. I wasn't there at the time of this incident so don't know which here. Whatever the cause, at mid-day, I was underneath the sailboat to see if something was messed up down there. It was. Lines tangled around the crankshaft. Jeff knows I'm a … Continue reading Grand Marais (Day 5)

To Grand Marais (Day 4)

The pictures you see here suggest a perfect day on the water. And it was. Until it wasn't. That's how it is with boating. Expect the unexpected -- in this case, a injury emergency and then a mechanical one. The injury required a visit to ER, 50 miles away. (Keep in mind we have no … Continue reading To Grand Marais (Day 4)

Munising (Day 3)

Today was a welcome day in port (Munising), at least for me. As a stubborn north wind continued to blow, the sightseeing boats that take up much of the dock space here - and bring in lots of tourist money - remained in port, reminding us that even capitalism bows to weather. We did boat … Continue reading Munising (Day 3)

To Munising (Day 2)

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)

Many Moons Leaves Home

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

Autumn’s Paradox

October 10, 2020. Such beauty. And, trepidation! Autumn is a time of paradox in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, as the parade of colors announces the approach of winter. Many people call autumn their favorite season here. Former residents yearn for it. Tourists flock to it. Hikers (including me) are giddy in it. But autumn means that … Continue reading Autumn’s Paradox

A Kick From Nature

April 24, 2020. In the far north woods, nature can kick you in any season. A late-November storm brought down dozens of trees and cluttered Camp Many Moons with fallen branches and brush. My little patch of heaven is a mess. Cleaning it up is back-breaking work. What would I do without Jeff and his … Continue reading A Kick From Nature

Finn Family Ties For Many Moons

July 10, 2019. She's 102 now, one of 21 children born to the same parents and the only one still alive. As if that's not enough to amaze, she owned this piece of property 50 years ago and I didn't even know that. Today, she visited Camp Many Moons. "She" is Aunt Martha, my Dad's … Continue reading Finn Family Ties For Many Moons