June 11, 12, Tues, Wed Charlevoix to Mackinac City
John and I decided that a short shake down cruise would be wise to make sure everything on the boat worked and we remembered how to run everything. Charlevoix at 25 miles was the decided destination. Pulled out of marina at 0830 in sunshine, cool temps and flat water on the bay. It feels good to be moving on the water, exploring new places and enjoying God's beautiful nature. We are ready and anxious to do all that again. The ride was comfortable with flat waters which is always preferred on Lake Michigan. As we arrive in Charlevoix, we catch the 1130 opening of the bridge and were met by 5 eager dockhands in the city marina. The "newbies" are being trained in line tying and communication with an incoming captain in order to make the boat secure in the slip. It was nice to have them all help us in as it was our first time this season to dock too. The town of Charlevoix is just as quaint and nice as ever. We wandered thru the shops, walked the side streets and even borrowed bikes to ride and see some mushroom houses. A great first stop.
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| Mural in downtown. Charlevoix is a beautiful town with a great marina staff. It also has the most impressive library built in an old school. Huge and very impressive |
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| Mushroom house |
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| another mushroom house |
On Wednesday, the departure was planned around the 0830 opening of the bridge and we followed the ferry - Emerald Isle - out onto the lake. The sprinkles and fog did not affect the calm water for traveling. As we turned east to head thru the Straits, we could not see the bridge. Finally when we were about 5 miles away the bridge came into view. It is a magnificent sight, as always, and we enjoyed our journey under its mighty spans. We pulled into Straits Marina, took on fuel, pulled into our slip and were swarmed by midges. Midges are mosquito-like flying bugs (which do not bite) but swarm in clouds like locust. These bugs appear in May and die off after 2 weeks of warm weather (usually mid June). The start of this season has been so cool that the midges are sill here and healthy as ever. If the wind is blowing, they congregate on the leeward side of the boat. If it is calm, they swarm everywhere, docks, the grass, in the park, by doorways - everywhere close to the water. While walking through town, they may go unnoticed, but are back to greet us in full force upon our return.
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| Departing Charlevoix (picture courtesy of Short Vacation) |
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| The midges at Straits Marina Mackinaw City |
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| They are all over. what a nuisance. constantly vacuuming up dead bugs. If you try to wipe them off with a rag they leave a black streak |
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