Anchored in Huron Bay, MI

We are anchored tonight in Huron Bay, Michigan - between the Keweenaw Peninsula and Marquette. Expect to make Marquette by tomorrow night, where we will hook up with some of Ilona's relatives, as well as some new friends from the Trailer Sailors who live there (and will join us later in the North Channel of Lake Huron - they are trailering their boat.)

Absolutely beautiful here. Sunny, high 75. Water 62 -  cold swim. Winds are light; we sailed about half of today, motor-sailed the rest. Crossed the mouth of Keweenaw Bay. It looks half-way like the North Channel, if you look towards shore (the other half - looking out to the lake - looks more like the ocean.)

There is a huge eagle's nest in a big tree right on shore.  We saw the two parents; looking to see the babies who are reportedly living there.  Really calm and pretty sheltered anchorage.  10 feet over sand.

on to Marquette

Our plan:  leave Hancock tomorrow mid-day; motor or sail down the Keweenaw Waterway and tie up at the Lower Entry overnight.  Then on Sunday, head for Marquette MI, a 70-mile crossing.  Timing is great - winds today were up to 30 knots; good time to be off the big lake. Should finally be lighter winds for the next several days.  We might anchor overnight on the way, if we can find a safe harbor that is deep enough.  Likely will cross all the way on Sunday, although we might not arrive until Monday or Tuesday.

Rest day ashore

After arriving in Hancock this morning, we took a slip in the marina, then rented a car and drove to South Range MI.  Pasties for lunch at Roy's. Groceries. Laundry. Pumpout. Diesel. Water. Showers.

Dinner with Bud and Ruth Huuki, relatives of Ilona who live nearby in the U.P. (and their friends).   No problem at all being alone, without any friends or relatives - we keep meeting new or old people in every port!

Home of Ilona Jarvinen, from age 0 to 10 - South Range, MI

on the Keweenaw Waterway

tied up at the Lily Pond, Upper Entry, Keweenaw Waterway

passing the Ranger, the ferry bound for Isle Royale - Keweenaw Waterway

passing under the Houghton-Hancock lift bridge - Keweenaw Waterway

docked at the Houghton Country Marina, Hancock MI - Keweenaw Waterway

Houghton MI, seen from our slip in Hancock

Today's breakage reports:  

1. Refrigerator - seems to gronk when confronted with a full load of warm food. Solution: add perishables first, let them cool with partially-empty fridge, then add beverages and non-perishables later.  

2. Our budget ...

Keweenaw!

Had a terrific day of sailing – from Ontanagon to the Keweenaw Waterway.  Fair winds of 18-22 all day!   Big waves and winds in the morning, sailed with a single reef.  Later the winds dropped (18 knots is dropped?), so we shaked out the reefs and roared downhill at 5-6 (+) knots for several hours. Waves about 4 feet (we estimate.)

Almost 200 miles of sailing in 4 days! We're now tied up in the Portage Canal (the Keweenaw Waterway, the shortcut through the Keweenaw Peninsula.)  Tomorrow we motor into Houghton/Hancock, then check into the marina for a shore day – laundry, showers, restaurants, sightseeing, shopping. 

Last night we met Art, who just launched in Ontanagon and is headed home to Grand Marais (MN). He knows several of our friends - Tyler Howell, and Judy and Peter Barsness. We keep meeting people we know or who know those who we know.

Today's breakage report:  Two sail slugs on the mainsail track.  No problem – we earned this one.

We're in the Yoop!

Day 3 out of Duluth/Superior:  Made it all the way from Stockton Island in the Apostle Islands, Wisconsin – to Ontanagon in the Yew Pee (UP) of Michigan.  

We're making good time: about 140 + miles in 3 days.  The Porcupine Mountains are beautiful from a couple of miles offshore. 

Tomorrow we go to the Keweenaw Waterway – may then take a marina in Houghton/Hancock for a day or two for shore leave, shopping, and relaxation.  

We did get in an hour or two of good sailing today, in spite of the headwinds.  Did you realize how big Lake Superior really is?

Boat Repair

Let's see now: 

1. One day repairing the radar the weekend before we left Superior – it was the Ethernet cable connecting the radar with the chartplotter.  All fixed now. Memo: Get spare Ethernet cable.

2. The refrigerator decided to take a day off just before we left; figure it was probably a low service battery.  Works fine now, if we don't run the radar for several hours without recharging.  Good thing too – cold beer is a necessary staple on Ihana. Memo: Don't run the radar without the engine on (for long times); also get more beer.

3. The toilet decided to plug up yesterday while we were sailing in the Apostle Islands.  Jim & I got it fixed.  Good thing I had a spare Joker valve.  Very messy job, but the head works perfectly now. And I am now an expert on getting our shit together …  Memo: Get another Joker valve rebuilding kit.

4. Today the engine overheated – again – while we were several miles offshore between the Apostles and the Keweenaw Peninsula.  We spent an hour trying to figure out what was wrong. It fixed itself. We think there was something partially blocking the raw water (lake, cooling water) intake, which went away.  Worked fine the rest of the day.  Memo: Try backing up if it happens again.

Well,  they say cruising is a period of continuous boat repair, interspersed with occasional sailing …

in the Apostle Islands

Great day today - weather is wonderful.  Sunny, good winds most of the day.  We were trying to continue on to Outer Island (staging ground for the jump to Ontanagon), but had trouble with the Joker Valve on our marine head.  Jim Kimmet (and R^2) managed to fix it, while Ilona sailed (not motored) the boat.  Good thing I had spare parts.  We changed course to Presque Isle Bay on Stockton Island, due to the winds shifting to the north and east.  Terrific couple of hours sailing - full sail, wind 10-15 kts, speed up to 6 knots!  Ilona and Jim are dinghying ashore, while I cleaned up the dishes and am Internetting.  Plan to continue on to Ontanagon tomorrow - should be good winds and sunny weather, waves < 2 feet.
Having a wonderful time - wish you were here.

Superior WI to the Apostle Islands

made it okay on Monday.   We motored most of the way because of the light winds.  The diesel moved us right along at about 7 knots, but sucked A LOT of fuel.  We still have over 1/2 tank left + 10 gallons in the Jerry cans, so figure we can motor all the way to the Keweenaw if we slow down or, better yet, have good winds for sailing.
Because of the Duluth rains and flooding, the lake was RED most of the way, with considerable flotsam - mostly logs - a good part of the way. Especially for the first 2-3 hours out of Superior (!), and another hour approaching Sand Island in the Apostles.  We anchored in Raspberry Bay in the Apostle Islands - BEAUTIFUL!
Note to BROOMS:  DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES try to travel at night west of the Apostle Islands - you will need to see and continuously avoid driftwood.  BIG driftwood!!

Departure

s/v Ihana left Superior Wisconsin early this morning, bound for the Apostle Islands and on to the Keweenaw Peninsula.  WE MAY BE OUT OF WIFI RANGE until we reach Ontanagon or Houghton/Hancock; this will take a minimum of 3 days, probably a few more.  Don't worry if this blog isn't updated.  Weather: wind < 5 knots; high 70 degrees; sunny; no chance of rain - we expect to use the engine all day in calm seas.

Crossing the Red Sea

Today we had a sail around the Duluth Harbor, primarily to check out the boat and crew, and see how well we could handle moderately-strong wind, waves and current out in Lake Superior (we all did fine).
Pictures below: Our slip at Barker's Island Marina, the Superior (Wisconsin) harbor entrance lighthouse, the color of the water out in Lake Superior, and returning under the Duluth Aerial Bridge. 

The water is colored due to the mud sediment from the rain and floods in the Duluth area last week. The brown/red color of the water is real - it's not photoshopped or an empty printer ink cartridge ...

Theme from the Ihana Cruise

             [sing it, tune of the Intro to the Muppet Show ...]


It's time to fill the fuel tanks
It's time to do pump out
It's time to load the dinghy - on the Ihana Cruise today.

It's time to set the waypoints
It's time to get the charts
It's time to plot the crossing - on the Ihana Cruise today. 

It's time to don lifejacket 
It's time to dress up right

It's time to start the engine - on the Ihana Cruise today.

It's time to send the sail plan

It's time to log lat lon

It's time to haul the docklines - on the Ihana Cruise today.

It's time to clear the harbor

It's time to point to wind

It's time to raise the mainsail - on the Ihana Cruise today.

But now It's getting started

Why don't you get things started?

It's time to get things started

On the most sensational

Inspirational

Celebrational

SEA-sational

This   is   what   we   call   The Ihana Cruise! 

Leaving home

Ilona reports: "In many ways so far, the hardest day. Got up at 6-ish. Put on coffee water. To basement to move laundry. WTF - Ben is here! Move it. Now quiet. Two couples come by to say good-bye. Fighting off tears. Jim and Peggy arrive (Jim will help us on the Superior-to-Soo crossing.) Laundry. Put steel wool around pipes to deter mice. It is 9 am. Time to go. But I did not say good bye. Good bye, our home. Hardest. Saying good bye to Ben. Will always love you. Yet here it is raining. AGAIN. And the Gieses here. Problems with refrig?!!! Thank you. JIm!!! Rain! tomorrow test sail. Off Monday?? "


Bob reports: "By far, the hardest part was saying "Buffalo" [Bye-son?] to Ben when he left for home with the car, after driving us up to the boat in Superior and spending the day with us.  Will REALLY miss him. The reality is hitting us!  We no longer have a car with us! We did get the boat almost completely ready; need to fill up the fuel tanks and pump out the holding tank.  The scariest thing was seeing the marina bill for stepping and tuning the mast last week!  Today we will take a trial cruise to make sure everything is shipshape and Bristol fashion.  Wind 10-15 NE today, right on the nose if we left for the Apostle Islands (we won't today)."

Last day at home

We leave tomorrow morning for the drive from home to our boat at Barker's Island Marina on Lake Superior.  Today: House cleaning and preparation.  Also, thanks to Mike and Jenny Sutton for meeting with us today - we really appreciated the information they provided about their sailing in the IntraCoastal Waterway and the Bahamas.

The REALLY BIG Muddy

Well, at least we won't be starting our trip on the Muddy Mississippi.  We get the clean water of Lake Superior ...

Lake Superior Sediment Plume - after the floods in Duluth/Superior.

[my sediments, exactly ...]

Son of a Bitchin'

Sad news from Bob & Jody Bitchin...

As many of you know, we sold Latitudes & Attitudes last January, and as part of the sales agreement, we were to work as consultant's. Recently we discovered things were not as they should be. Last week we found out from Editor Sue that the July issue of Lats&Atts did not print although advertisers had been billed. Yesterday morning the offices were locked with the following sign on the door. "Offices Closed Until Further Notice."

Jody & I put our lives into the magazine, TV Show, Events and lifestyle for over 15 years. It is with very heavy hearts that we have to make this announcement.

If you would like to keep up with our plans to "raise from the ashes" visit our new facebook page or follow the changes on the website.

[R^2 adds:  That would be " Son of a Bitchin'  " ? ... ]

https://www.facebook.com/seafaringdotcom [sic]

Bob Bitchin's Seafaring.com

Travel/Leisure

Page: 572 like this

Update on the flood @ Barker's Island Marina

The power to the Island has been restored. Unfortunately it was not before the Ship's Store, offices, and restrooms got slightly flooded. Please use the restrooms at the Service building for the next day or so while we clean up. Thank you!

Flooding in the Twin Ports!

There is severe flooding in Duluth/Superior today, due to record rainfall.  At the present:

1. sv-Ihana is fine (hey, boats are supposed to float!).  She is tied up to floating docks, so we are okay unless Lake Superior rises more than several feet (highly unlikely! ...)  The marina staff is keeping watch on all boats, manning pumps for a few that are open and don't have automatic bilge pumps.
2. The ELECTRIC POWER is out to the island and marina.  It may be out for quite a while.
3. The island IS still accessible by the causeway, although not from the Belknap traffic light.
4. Roads in Duluth are flooded and impassable, including I-35.  No reports yet from Wisconsin.

    The information below was posted on Facebook, earlier today = Wed 6/20:

Barker's Island Marina · 246 like this
53 minutes ago ·

As you may have heard, the Twin Ports has been hit by a record rainfall and flooding with much damage reported. I live in the Central Park neighborhood of Superior and the creek that flows through the park has backed up at the drainage culverts in the park that drain to the harbor, flooding homes here, including my basement. The flooding from this creek took out the Northwest access road to Barker's Island that runs from Belknap past the Bong Center and to the causeway road. Fortunately the Southeast access road across from the Fairlawn Mansion and the causeway road are still open to the Island. Some of us were able to get to the Marina this morning to check on the boats and facilities. We've had to pump out some of the more open boats without working automatic bilge pumps. The power to the Island went out this morning at around 9:00 AM and is still out. We have no idea, at this time, when it will be restored. The Marina is OK compared to many other parts of Superior and Duluth. I will make updates here as I learn more. I can also be contacted on my cell phone at 218-590-7131 or jradtke@barkers-island-marina.com

Marine Electronics Suck

Putting the boat back together and associated repairs, continued: Problems with the electronics - 
   Radar didn't work. Radar works. THANKS to Jerry Powlas of Good Old Boat Mag, for wiring advice and telling me where I could get an Ethernet cable on a Sunday in Wisconsin (now, beer - that would have been much easier to find).  Time to fix:  4.5 hours actual, 24 total. I hate fishtaping. [Garmin - using standard Ethernet cable to connect the radar with the chartplotter: Priceless.]
   Wind instrument is not working. Time to fix: one hour.  [Damn you Raymarine, for using the thinnest wires known to exist - you could have spent a few more cents, no?]
   The AIS is now working properly about 90% of the time.  Should be okay now, except maybe when a freighter is approaching ...
   For maybe the first time in recent history, the radar and the AIS are both working at the same time. Usually, one of them is off on summer holiday, leaving the other to cover.
   Then refrigerator is not working. Worked the night before. Look at fuses. Look at manual (useless). Turn it off. Turn it on. It is working. 


Jerry also suggested wrapping a piece of dental floss (as a tether) around a screw while working with it, before it takes off for Davy Jones' Locker.  Good idea.


So, we begin our extended journey of boat maintenance and repair, interspersed with sailing and traveling.  [Did anyone ever tell me that BOAT is an acronym? Break Out Another Thousand ...]

Superior Friends

If anyone thought we would be lonely and miss having friends on this trip, don't worry.  This weekend at Barkers Island Marina (in Superior, WI) we ran into:  Jerry and Karen of Good Old Boat Magazine, Maureen and Chuck from Mt. Zion Congregation, Patti and Peter from the Northern Lights Sailing Club, and the Kelloggs who used to be NLSC members and just moved their new boat here from North Carolina.  We missed Nellie and her parents, who didn't make it up this weekend. And it's only Saturday.

It was hard leaving our sailing friends at the Lake City Marina.  It's going to be hard leaving other friends at Barkers.  Is this what the trip is going to be like?

BTW - A whole lot of boaters up here have dogs. Many dogs. Loud dogs.  Is that where the name of the island came from?

Stepping the mast

Before & After pictures:

At Barkers Island Marina, Superior, Wisconsin - the marina crew did a great job putting our mast back up.  We even got the dodger and bimini back on, and the wiring connected.

Truck Travelift Lake

pictures from today's transport and launch:

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who helped us move Ihana from the Mississippi River to Lake Superior – we could not have done it without you:

·      Pete Anderson (Lake City) – taking down the mast and wrapping up the boat for shipping.

·      Jeff & Mark (Lake City Marina) – travel-lifting the boat onto the truck..

·      Brad & Jeanne (Cross Country Boat Transport) – keep on trucking!

·      Officers Gassert & Biel (US Customs & Border Protection, Duluth) – helping us get the forms and numbers for remote re-entry into the USA from Canada.

·      Scott, Eric, & their crew (Barkers Island Marina) – unloading and travel-lifting the boat from the truck back into the water.

Lake Superior!

Ihana arrived today at Barkers Island Marina.  Our boat is off the truck and in the water. Tomorrow is mast-stepping at the gin pole.  Say, tonight, speaking of gin ...

[This photo was not taken from the top of the mast ...]

First Leg of Journey - from river to lakes

Tomorrow about 8:30 am, sv-Ihana gets lifted out of the water at Lake City and onto a semi-trailer/flatbed. We drive north to Duluth to meet with US Customs & Border Patrol, so we can just call in when crossing back into the USA. (Fee is $16 per person.) Barkers Island Marina in Superior, WI, has confirmed they are ready to receive our boat and step the mast and put on the standing rigging. NLSC friends are already on their boats up at Barkers.  Then 2 to 3 days of re-rigging - sails, dodger, bimini, masthead wiring, radar pole, radar and AIS VHF antenna, and cleaning of course. Loading dinghy and its outboard. Fuel cans, fuel and pumpout.

Ihana is ready for transport to the Great Lakes

View of Ihana from the top of the mast. The bimini, dodger, sails and boom are all off and stowed.  That's Ilona in the cockpit and Bob on the pier.



Ihana, with her mast down, awaits transport to Lake Superior on Thursday.

    

Preparing to ship the ship, day one

Sails off and stowed; lines off and stowed, most canvas (dodger) off and stowed, bimini comes off tonight. Both folding bikes in the locker. Mast electric wires disconnected and labeled. And it only took 2.5 hours. Tomorrow am, Ihana goes to the gin pole and the boom and mast come down (gently, we hope) and get cushioned and tied up, supported by wood beams at stern and bow. Then we probably will go home for 2 days and let the trucking company do its thing. Air conditioning will be most appreciated. Natural air conditioning in Superior, WI, for Thursday. Supposed to be in the 60's. We will meet the boat up there, then comes 2-3 days putting Ihana back together. Wow- we are really doing it!