The plan was to begin the trek south on Monday, and like the rest of the year, we had a wind delay. Since moving the boat wasn't an option, we took a field trip in the 4 wheeled land cruiser and crossed the bridge on a trip to Tahquamenon Falls.
We started at the lower falls which is scenic.
A rowboat can be rented to cross the river and few the falls from the island between the falls.
A boardwalk runs along the river to one of the sets of falls with several outlooks provided.
When I was there last time, (probably 1973), there was only a dirt trail. It's fully handicap accessible now.
After a pass through the gift shop, we headed upstream a few miles to the upper falls. These are probably the signature falls of the Upper Peninsula.
I think I read something like 3,000 gallons per second flows over the falls.
Of course, what would a hike along the river be, without...
STAIRS!!!
Well at least these were going down.
The trip to the bottom of the stairs and the inevitable return climb was worth the view.
So another gift shop and a few minutes for a picnic lunch and we were off. We decided to take a detour and see what was at Whitefish Point.
There's a few buildings with displays and a museum plus the lighthouse. Adult admission is $13 which we passed on, but it's an interesting lighthouse.
Like Lake Michigan, Lake Superior was a little stirred up.
Back to Mackinaw City where the wind continued to blow until maybe 8:00 pm when it began to ease up.
Tuesday morning and come hell or high water, I was moving the boat. My love affair with Mackinaw City had worn out. It was time to go.
I got an early start because winds were to pick up AGAIN later in the morning. This was going to be a lot of open water running so I wanted to get as many miles as possible behind me before that happened.
Leaving the harbor and heading toward the bridge, conditions looked good.
That didn't last a long time and by the time I got 20 miles west near the White Shoal light, it had become quite choppy.
I didn't bother to get very close to the light. The corner into the channel can be cut by a mile or more saving a lot of time. In these conditions, I was all about saving time.
Through the channel and past the Grey's Reef light.
The photography isn't the best due to the pitching boat and I'm running solo as Kathy is shopping her way south in the minivan and will rendezvous with me at my destination.
There were maybe 10 miles or so where the running was a little less than ideal, but I never had to cut speed too much as the wave frequency was a real tight chop so I just skimmed across the top of it. Every once in a while, a 3' wave appeared that caught my attention and bounced the boat some.
Finally, I passed Charlevoix and made the turn south into Grand Traverse Bay headed to Elk Rapids. The water calmed and I was able to cruise at speed which is about 30 mph.
About 90 miles and four hours later, I was docked at Elk Rapids.
Unlike many marinas today, this one is VERY busy but has to be one of the best run and maintained marinas anywhere. It's a real treat to stay here.
So we're here for a couple days visiting friends Jim and Sue Sarna who are docked here as seasonal boaters.
Then it will be on to Manistee to our new boating home.
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