2016

May 17th  Our boat is finally launched!
 

Thursday, June 2nd     The house is packed up and we are on our way!  The sky was cloudy but the seas were calm when we left the Washburn Marina.  Traveling by Bear Island we saw a black bear in the lake swimming next to our boat.  Wish I had gotten out my camera sooner.  Dropped anchor in Rasberry Bay.

Friday, June 3rd     A beautiful sunny day!  Cruised around Devil's Island to get one last glimpse of the sea caves and the Apostle Islands.  Wherever we travel, will never forget how beautiful this place is!




Then began an 8 hour cruise to Grand Marais.  Ran into patches of fog along the shipping lanes into Duluth - so got a chance to utilize our AIS and identified 2 freighters.  Cold and windy when we arrived in Grand Marias, MN.  Found great fish market for lake trout and menonomie - it was good!



Saturday, June 4th    Due to weather we stayed a second day in Grand Marais.  Walked almost out to the lighthouse - even though it was raining.


Sunday, June 5th    Up early to leave, but found oil on the floor in the engine room, which required attention.  Determined that the cap for the dip stick had come loose during the trip - so replaced the oil and took off for Isle Royale.  Ran into thunderstorms while crossing, but the largest part of the storm was behind us.  This "Rock of Ages" light guided our entrance.



Isle Royale (Michigan)  is 45 miles long and 9 miles wide.  It contains 160 miles of hiking trails.  We spent 5 days and 4 nights exploring, hiking and enjoying beautiful anchorages.

 

At one of the Ranger Stations we ran into a couple that were retired but ran expeditions hunting for moose bones.  They had just finished 12 days of hiking.  One of the young guys in the group showed us the moose skull he had found.  The bones will not leave the island but will be studied and displayed by the couple who also do research.  According to them, the wolf population on the island is down to 2 because the wolves originally came from Canada but Lake Superior does not consistently freeze enough each winter for them to migrate.


Thursday, June 9   Bright sunny day and calm seas for our trip to Thunder Bay.  Entrance to the bay is marked by Pie Island on one side and the "Sleeping Giant" on the other.  According to legend, the giant killed his wife when she was nagging him because of hunger and starvation.  Struck with horror, he ran out into the lake but could not escape what he had done and fell backward into the lake.  The great spirit took pity on him and turned him into everlasting stone.

 


Cleared customs without any problems and are tied to a nice boardwalk in the marina.  Got the bikes out and have done a lot of exploring.  Plan to be here 2 days to do laundry, and re-provision. Then we will take off to continue along the north shore of Lake Superior and anticipate arriving in Sault St. Marie in a couple of weeks.  Not sure how much cell phone coverage will get until then as there are no marinas and we will be dropping anchor every night.