I started the day in the dinghy pulling a couple lead core lines to see if I could snag a fish. I ventured out into the lake shortly after sunrise.
I got into about 60' of water and putted along toward the bridge on a calm lake.
Eventually, there was a bit of a ripple on the lake but I found this slick a couple miles off the shore and worked that a little hoping to find a steelhead.
It wasn't to be, so I gave up after a couple hours of bobbing in the Straits. I'm sure being in the middle of the Straits in a 10' rubber boat creates lots of conversation for the folks crossing the bridge.
Anyway, back at the marina, we transformed the "fishing" boat into a cruiser, loaded up the "island transportation" and prepared to leave for Mackinac Island.
So off we go with the Star Line ferry in our wake with its "chicken tail". One of the kids named the rooster tail feature. Since the naming by the kids, it has always stuck with us and will forever be a chicken tail.
We made a leisurely cruise across the Straits and approached the Round Island passage.
Entering Mackinac Island harbor. I was directed to the east shore area and instructed to enter around the "large blue yacht". Roger.
Turns out this large blue yacht is owned by Elena Ford of the Ford Motor Co. family. It's a 131' Palmer Johnson yacht built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
I'd say Elena is doing ok for herself.
Around the end of the yacht and we backed stern in into slip #9 on the east shore.
This slip doesn't have the park view the west shore slips have but is away from the noise of the Pink Pony. The view we have is of the Lakeview Hotel.
It's just a short hop down the walk to main street.
And a stone's throw the other way to the island coffee shop. I can probably find Kathy there in the morning.
After setting the lines and getting organized, we took a walk on the docks. I'm feeling a little behind the Jones's. Looks like there is a group of a dozen boats or more from the Grosse Pointes. These Vikings were all alike.
I'm sure those $5000 outriggers will never see anything more than a flag. They all have teak "patio" sets on the rear deck.
We liked this one.
Of course one can't let their million dollar yacht get dusty and being a Grosse Pointer, you'd never stoop so low as to put a rag in your hand, so the Ship Shape crew was hired and ferried to the island to spruce up the boats of the rich and famous.
There must have been a dozen or more of those guys here working on a bunch of boats.
Kathy has her sights set on this Hatteras.
It was a bit warm this afternoon so we relaxed around the boat and were visited by Kathy's cousin Debbie and husband Darrel. They're in the area on their Harley's. Certainly a nice week for a bike ride.
Dinner was simple after a long day and getting settled here. Sloppy Joes, potato salad and sweet corn. We did the microwave sweet corn in the husk method. Four minutes per ear, cut off the big end and squeeze out the ear like toothpaste from a tube. That works great and is no fuss.
With dinner done, back to the fun and the first of what I'm sure will be several 8 mile treks around the island. It's what Kathy comes here for.
Of course, this is the view I usually have.
Once we got around to the SW side of the island (mile #7). The sun was beginning to set over St Ignace a mere 15 hours after I watched it rise this morning (see slide #1).
Photo ops everywhere. The Arnold Line ferry passes the Round Island light with a kayak out for the sunset view.
Enough for one day. Time for a little Bacardi rum refreshment.
Good night.
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