Monday, August 24:
The winds had died down some, but were supposed to pickup again later in the day, so we decided to pull our anchors and head to Detour, MI. We un-rafted and pulled our anchors around 0900. We arrived at Detour Village Marina around 1045. I was on a work call, but I was able to assist with getting lines to those on the dock, then I went back inside to finish my call while Wes got us secured and hooked up to power. Wes walked to Dollar General to get some bread while I worked. Then we went up to docktales where there was a decent size group of us. After that we walked up to Detour Village Inn with Pony (Ted and Kim) for dinner. We got back to the boat around 2000. We watched a little TV then we went to bed.
Tuesday, August 25:
We got up and both did our respective bible studies. Then we got the boat ready for travel and dropped our lines around 0845. The water was calmer than we anticipated, so instead of hugging the coast like we planned, we went straight through to St Ignace. It got a little lumpy as we approached, but otherwise wasn't a bad cruise. We arrived around 1100. We walked up and checked in, then back to the boat until I was done working. We went up and enjoyed docktales with our fellow loopers. Then we went back to the boat, had some dinner, watched some TV then off to bed.
Wednesday, August 26:
We got up and Wes got all the MTOA burgees together to be mailed. This took awhile as he wasn't able to mail any out while we were in Canada. I worked all day. Wes' Aunt Gay arrived around Noon. She brought all our packages that we had sent to her house. Then they went to the store to provision. When they returned, I was just about to get on another work call, but was able to chat a little with Gay. Gay went to check-in to her hotel. Wes put the groceries away then gathered everything up and headed to docktales. I finished my work call, then I went up to join everyone for docktales. Gay came back as well. A storm came through and broke up docktales. We decided to go to Buoy's for dinner. We went the Black Diamond as well. There were six of us, Gay, Tim, Sarah and Mason (their friend). We enjoyed good food, some beverages and great conversation. After dinner, Gay went to her hotel, and the rest of us sat on our aft deck and enjoyed some beverages until it started to rain. So, we went inside and finished our beverages, then called it a night.
Thursday, August 27:
Today's the day we cross our wake!! Wes got up and started doing boat projects. I was much slower in getting up (this happens especially on days that I take off of work). I got up and started cleaning / organizing the boat as we will be having several guests ride with us to Mackinaw Island. Gvit a Go saw us off around 1200 and off we went with Black Diamond (Tim, Sarah and Mason), Aunt Gay and Greg and Kelly from Our Time. We arrived at Mackinaw Island around 1300 to a crowd awaiting us at the dock. There were cheers and hugs all around!! We got tied up and started visiting right away. We brought out our snacks and chairs and spent the afternoon celebrating with our fellow loopers. Josie and Rob on Solstice were very kind in organizing the group of loopers. Around 1600 Wes went up and picked up some pizza for the group. We enjoyed food, beverages, some mini beers and many laughs. People slowly left, and some left then came back. The festivities went into the evening. We finally called it a night around 2230 and went inside. We relaxed a bit then went to bed.
Friday, August 28:
We were both slow in getting up. Ron and Jess from Blue Lobstah came over on the ferry to celebrate with us. We visited inside for a bit, then we setup the chairs on the dock and enjoyed some beverages and visited with folks as they arrived. Then once it got to the afternoon, we brought out snacks on the dock again and the festivities continued! We decided to go to Doud's Irish Pub for dinner with Ron and Jess (Blue Lobstah) and Andrew and Megan (Story). The six of us enjoyed food, beverages, and some live music. We all had a great time. Around 2230 we left the pub and walked back to the boats. Ron and Jess stayed with us on our boat, so we sat up and enjoyed a nightcap before heading to bed.
Saturday, August 29:
Another slow-ish morning getting moving. We walked Ron and Jess to the ferry where they arrived just in time to catch the 0900 ferry. We went back to the boat where I did a little cleaning. Then I walked to town to do some shopping while Wes stayed at the boat to smoke some cream cheese. Mike and Nicole on Mezmerize and their guest John and Pam came over to learn how to make the smoked cream cheese as they enjoyed is so much the night before! Once I returned I relaxed and read while Wes made some more tea. Once the afternoon came, we setup on the dock again. We brought out the snacks and chairs. We enjoyed food, beverages and visiting with our fellow loopers. Yes, more mini-beers were had! It cooled off quite a bit, so we broke up around 2100 and went inside. We watched some TV, then called it a night.
Sunday, August 30:
It was a rainy morning, so I stayed in bed longer than usual. Wes got up and did our route planning for the next few days. When I got up, Wes was doing computer work. I spent the morning reading. Gvit a Go arrived around 1200. We visited with them a little, then took down the scooters and explored the island. We did the majority of the outer circle. We stopped at the secret garden at the Grand Hotel. From there we thought we'd try to see some of the interior. As we were exploring our batteries were almost dead, so we headed back to the marina. We made it back around 1430. Wes rinsed the scooters (they were a little muddy), then we went inside. We got ready for our dinner at The Woods with Scott and Joan. We met up with Colleen and her daughter Katie and Katie's boyfriend Gabe to all share a taxi up to The Woods at 1615. We enjoyed the beautiful carriage ride. The landscaping at all the houses was absolutely beautiful with lots of flowers and well manicured lawns. We enjoyed our dinner, then took another taxi ride back to the marina. It had cooled off a lot, so we changed into comfy clothes and enjoyed some champagne with Scott and Joan inside Toscana. Scott and Joan left around 2100. Wes did some computer work while I played on my iPad. Then we called it a night.
