Weather, weather, weather, no matter how you say it, it’s always THERE! We have run into a bit of it here in Lake Michigan. Hmmm maybe it is trying to get back at us for all the Michigan slams we make during football season. None the less weather is part of pretty much everything we do and think about. I think when we last talked the Lady J was spending some time in Manistique, MI.
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| Leaving Manistique, MI |
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| The lighthouse at Manistique |
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| The waves were working up. |
Well we finally ended up leaving there on Tuesday morning around 7:30 a.m. after much research, discussion, contemplation, praying on the weather we decided to make a go for it and see how far we could get. We knew it was going to be a bit windy, but the direction was going to be hopefully in our favor. So we started out on overcast skies. Radar said there were some showers around but nothing of any magnitude. Luckily in the 6-1/2 hours of cruising we only experienced a light rain that didn’t last long. We did though run into some funky north east winds that kind of sent us sailing, literally from behind. We were headed south. But with Mike’s wonderful navigation and knowledge at the helm of handling the Lady J we arrived at Washington Island, WI at 2:30 p.m. actually it was 1:30 p.m. we had crossed the central standard time line.
We are currently docked at Jackson Harbor Municipal Marina that is run by Harbor master Pam, who also runs the Jackson Harbor Inn. This place was so worth taking a chance at the run here. It’s kind of like being docked at a little town in New England. There is only room for about 6 transient boats, which there are currently 3 of us along with some locals that keep their boats here.
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| Lady J snug in her spot |
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| Walk around the bay |
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| This is what they call a Chicago style hot dog. It was pretty good. |
On the island, at least right where we are there is a maritime museum, an Inn as previously stated, and plenty of places to hike and just simply enjoy the outdoors. There is electric hook up and a water hose so the we can fill our tanks when needed. There are no bathroom facilities or showers, but we do have those on board. The best part is that it is only $0.75 per foot per night. Hallelujah!!! This is such great news since many places near here are asking $2.00 a foot. Cruising kitty can’t handle that. Specially since after looking at the weather report (there it is again) they are calling for 20-30 mph winds up here on the lake. Ouch!!!! Lady J does not venture out in that kind of craziness. So we are most likely going to be here until at least Sunday.
When we awoke this morning it was overcast and cool and threatening rain. Oh there it is again, weather! So we stuck around the boat this morning, I made some cookies which helped warm the boat, Mike did a couple boat chores and we met the couple in one of the sailboats that is docked across from us. In talking with them we came to find out they met and talked with some of the folks from our home marina in Sandusky, Millennium Falcon and Island Dancer. We haven’t seen them, but this couple said they were up here, somewhere, small world.
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| Rain, there is that weather again |
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| Items at the Maritime Museum |
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| Now that is snow removal |
After the rain stopped we toured the maritime museum (Mike was in heaven). We attempted to ride our bikes into town, but soon found out first, how out of shape we are and second how one small island can have so many freakin hills. Made it about 2 miles and then turned back. Town is about 6 miles out and then of course there is the 6 miles back. What was I thinking, if it had been flat there would have been no problem, but those hills (and they were pretty big) would have killed both of us, although Mike would probably not admit it, ever. We have just not had the opportunity to ride our bikes like we have in previous summers. Which that in itself seems strange since they are our only mode of transportation once we are docked. Oh well.
We did take a nice hike around the bay this afternoon. The weather had cleared up and the hike was just gorgeous. By the time we arrived back at the boat the winds had picked up (look it’s that weather thing again). It was all you could do to keep our chairs from blowing in the water.
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| Beauty everywhere |
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| We think these are guppies |
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| Not going out in that wave action |
Thursday we hope to catch the ferry over to Rock Island. No cars, bikes or anything other than your feet are allowed there. But from what we have been told the boat house there is spectacular. So we shall see how that goes.
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