Wednesday, June 21, 2003 Milliken State Park in Detroit
Our last night at East harbor was again very pleasant. I slept well although I was afraid I would not because of anxiety about the trip today possibly being a little rough. I was up at 5:00. I made coffee and tea for us and we started pulling the anchor at 5:20. It was full of mud and seaweed so it took about 15 minutes until we were cleaned up and secured for travel.
Once in the Lake, the waves
were tolerable, about 2-3 feet I think. Every once in a while we would get one
much bigger that sent Annie rocking and would elicit a “whoa” from the crew. I
made a second cup of coffee in the calm lee of South Bass Island as we passed the
lighthouse on the point. Kerry made a PBJ sandwich for me before she buried herself under a blanket.
I called
Peter and it seemed like he was 5 miles ahead of Annie due to his starting
position on Middle Bass Island. For some reason his AIS has trouble picking up
Annie, even though Marine Traffic always seems to report her position. His AIS
is not transmitting at the moment so I can’t keep electronic track of Voyager.
It was 36
miles to the Detroit River where Annie caught up with Voyager. Milliken was
another 19 miles. So for the day, we traveled 55 miles in 6 hours and 48
minutes. Our overall speed was 8.1 knots but I think we averaged around 9.5
while on the lake. Total miles so far are 77. I always take a side channel up the
river because it is rather picturesque.
Peter went up the main channel but we met up again when I was back on the river. We passed the construction site of the new bridge going from Detroit to Windsor. They are making progress.
During the
voyage I went to the cabin to heat a cup of tea. When I returned I saw us
heading directly for a white buoy that I had not noticed before. It turned out to be a very large white (big ass) bird with black wing tips. Google says it could have been a snow goose, but I
am not sure there are any in Lake Erie. Trumpeter Swan?
Milliken is a nice marina and a good stop over point. The docks are great, the restrooms need love. But the laundry is free and Kerry loves the machines. Security is good and there are guards on duty. The wifi does not connect to the internet. It is a (big) gated community, that has a lovely swan family in residence. There is a concert tonight at the large Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre right nest to the marina. We'll have good seats to hear.
I got the following response from Mark about my servisignal. He says that it’s a cheap vacuum indicator (pass/fail) that goes on the engine intake air filter assembly, designed to indicate when the filter needs cleaning. It is an option and not needed. Boat air filters rarely get so dirty that the indicator shows they need cleaning. He suggests that I block it off, just to keep debris from going through it which would be bypassing the filter. I will do that. I thought of using a plastic bag to seal it off, but Peter's suggestion of using screen material seems better. Filter cleaning is the first item on this winter's worklist.
Dinner was on Voyager, our first of this cruise. Their boat is beautiful and so well laid out for entertaining. Gonna be fun cruising with the Orros this year.
We decided we would meet for coffee and cappuccinos on Annie tomorrow at 7:00 and shove off at 7:30. It's about 32 miles upriver to Algonac. We are only in Algonac for 2 nights, so want to arrive as soon as we can. The forecast is for light 5-10 East winds. This is a huge relief as Lake St. Clair can get really choppy. Last year Kerry was really sick on this leg.
Love the pics! Everyone looks great! Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteSo the Orros have joined you in the powerboat world! Their boat does look good. KIP
DeleteIt's a really beautiful boat. I'll have to post some interior pictures. It's beautiful and huge!
DeleteDon - I'm really enjoying reading your blog! Karen and I were just talking last night that our goal for the 2024 season is to make a similar trip. I pushed for a short version this year, but after looking at the calendar, there's just not time open. We have two groups of visitors joining us on CAVU and a weekend at a shooting and fishing lodge in Pennsylvania in addition to the VYC schedule, so the summer is a packed schedule. Oh well...I'll have to just join you and the Orros vicariously through your blog! Fair winds and following seas!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice comments, Alex. Your time will come. Perhaps you could joing us for a few nights as we cruise down the rivers home.
DeleteLove the photo of Kerry and Marianna!
ReplyDeleteThis is Amy! Not sure how not to be anonymous:)
ReplyDelete