Monday, June 19, 2023 East Harbor

Well, Annie completed her first voyage of the trip today, a 22 mile, 3 hour cruise to East Harbor. Overall speed was 7.8 knots, but actually 8.2 on the lake. A no wake zone through the channel and anchoring cuts the average speed down.  We left at 9:00 and started to get white caps at 10:00 and bigger waves by 10:30. Medium rolling sent the Princess down to the V-berth for a nice nap. 

The day began with coffee with Jim and Julian, a nice tradition on our last day at home. We had great help at the gas dock and a nice send off from the Commodore and mates. Diesel was under $4 this year while over $7 last year. It's exciting to leave, but always sparks an initial sadness as we realize we will not see our family and friends for several weeks. Big Jim (our Florida friend) had promised to deliver a breakfast to us before departure, but as tradition dictates, he did not show (again)!

Annie has three new flags for the trip and feels really good about herself as a result. She has a new VYC burgee, a spiffy new Ohio State flag (to fly in Michigan of course), and a new Great Lakes Cruising Club flag with a 25 year member stripe, which was a gift from the GLCC.

We had no trouble anchoring at EH as the anchor set on the first try. That's twice this year it did. One time it took us 5 tries, so we are really our thrilled when it only takes one. We carefully anchored where we wanted, but far enough from all the fisherman that no one shouted or gestured at us. It's totally protected from Northeast wind and waves in here so we are very peacefully at anchor. Peter reported 3' waves as Voyager is rolling to Middle Bass. For some reason, he thought latches were supposed to stop the silverware drawers from flying open. Latches with folded post it notes do though. 

One last thought about Starlink. I did a Google search in route and discovered that there are many cases designed to store the antenna and other equipment. Since they are waterproof I probably could have purchased one and stored it on our top deck. Darn! Too bad this Starlink opportunity came up just days before departure. Another week and I probably could have figured out how to squeeze it aboard. Maybe next year.

Lunch was a grilled hamburger and a tasty bean salad was our dinner. Two nights in a row where we have had vegetable dinners - corn on the cob last night - Jola are you proud of us?

We enjoyed a leisurely afternoon. I read and sat outside. Kerry worked on the computer and talked with her sister. We visited with Peter and Marianna by phone and decided to make the call about travel on Tuesday tomorrow morning. Our travel agent from Cunard is supposed to call tomorrow at 10:00 to arrange airfare for our rescheduled Queen Mary 2 trip next April.  

Tonight's weather should be perfect for a sound sleep. Now it does not look like we will travel tomorrow. If not, we would be here tomorrow night, at Milliken State Park in Detroit on Wednesday and in Algonac on Thursday and Friday. Our next stop after Algonac is Port Huron.