Port #7: Land HO !!!!F...

Great Loop II Date: 8/9/2014

Day #10 (Saturday): 58 miles (408 total miles)

Port #7:  Near Drummond Island, MI (Anchorage #2: Harbor Island Bay)

OB’s crew had such a peaceful night it was hard to get out of bed.  Charlie was the last one up!  We still had a good weather pattern over us dictating our movement north.

Most of the day was spent out of sight of land.  Seas were quiet through the morning with 1 foot rollers or less.  The gentle rocking of the boat and the constant hum of the engines made the crew want to nap.  There was no cell phone service most of the time so no internet.  Since I couldn’t put my blog update online, I busied myself with boatwork (the same as housework only in the boat).

Charlie's spot today...not interested in cleaning the boat!

Finally Drummond Island appeared on the distant horizon.  By then the seas were pancake flat.  We passed Detour Reef Light and I could see the Drummond Island Ferry in the distance.  I had talked to my cousin, Marilyn, in the morning before we lost cell service.  She told me Don (her husband who I refer to as my cousin, as well!), Jennifer (their youngest daughter) and her boyfriend were on Drummond driving around and looking at their old house.  As we approached the ferry dock, I could see cars lined up and people waiting.  Kathryn (their next youngest daughter) messaged me and said they were on the dock waving.  I looked through the binoculars again and there they were.  I was so excited!

The Detour Reef Light...land HO!!!!

Freighter headed southbound from the Soo Locks.

These big guys really 'push' the water.  That's how little boats (even our size) get sucked under and capsize.

Another freighter in front of Detour headed northbound for the Soo Locks.

The quarry and the ferry docks on the far left.  That's where we spotted Jennifer and Bill waiting in line.  We could see them waving at us!

Huge quarry on Drummond Island, MI.

We will go to Sault Ste Marie tomorrow and visit them for a couple of days.  The last Loop they came to Mackinaw City to see us, tour the boat and go out for a nice dinner.  I always look forward to seeing them.  My family is pretty small with only 5 cousins.  My parents and grandparents have all passed on to the great adventure above.

OB finished her day in another beautiful anchorage.  The bay in Harbor Island has a small entrance and opens up into a nice sized bay with a mud bottom…great for anchoring and a scheduled morning clean up for the anchor and chain.

When we entered the bay, only a sailboat and a small fishing boat were anchored.  By the time we went to bed, we had been joined by another sailboat and 5 other smaller cruisers.  Even with that many boats, we all had at least 100 yards between us.

There were islands as far as the eye could see after we rounded Drummond Island.

This is what the charting program looked like for the picture above.  We're the little black dot mid-screen on the left.

Charlie on the watch....no, he won't help with the boat cleaning but he's upfront and center for the anchoring.

Our island anchorage for the night.  The opening to the bay is....

...right here.

Inside the bay at Harbor Island.

Another amazing sunset...

...and almost full moon rising.

The next morning.