Our day got off to in inauspicious start. Not quite how we planned it and, believe me, we plan.
We planned (and did) to get up early. Me at 4:30 because I am high maintenance and Capt. SO at 4:45 (that's a.m.) because he is clinically efficient. I am not. Our plan was to leave the dock with the Aqua RV at 5:30. About 5:20 Capt. SO stuck his head "down below" and said, "We have a problem, Houston." Our windshield wipers were non-responsive. Not a good thing when your windshield is covered with a heavy dew and there is visible fog out toward the Big Pond (otherwise known as Lake Michigan). Capt. SO concluded that we would leave the dock and motor over to the marine business that does our maintenance and tie up at the gas dock until we discovered what the issue was. We did just that and by 7:05, we were underway. The fog had lifted off the Big Pond but the wind had not. For our first three hours- maybe more - we banged around mightily. Poor Aqua RV. It is a testament to marine engineering that boats do not fall apart. It wasn't unsafe but it was not fun. However, the farther north we motored, the less the winds did blow and our final two-and-half hours were quite pleasant.
Since we follow shipping lanes, we frequently see large vessels - huge even - that ply the Great Lakes. Today was no exception and the Algoma Olympic out of Toronto followed us through the Straits of Mackinac. These freighters are quite a sight to see from close up. The wall of water that their bows push is significant. Easily five to six feet of water is displaced continually as their mighty engines move them through the water.
Us? We admire them but give them the distance they deserve and demand. Playing chicken with a freighter is simply not recommended.
Our destination plans for today had to be modified due to the wiper issue and the fact that our speed had to be greatly reduced in order to accommodate the wave conditions this morning. Capt. SO chose, instead, to slip about two hours to the west of where we wanted to slip for this night. Thusly, tomorrow will be another early arisal in order to keep our final destination goal of Gore Bay on Tuesday.
Tonight we have slipped in a new Michigan state marina that is located in Mackinaw City, Michigan. A touristy place with plenty of fudge, popcorn and ice cream. We tried the vinegar and salt popcorn this afternoon and found it very tasty. Our marina is heavily guarded by several gaggles of Canada geese and there are prolific piles of poo everywhere. At least the floating docks are not frequented by geese, consequently the docks are very clean. More than I can say for the soles of our shoes!
Tomorrow the adventure continues in our four-hundred-and-seventy-five square-foot Aqua RV. Hey, it has AC, hot and cold running water, and a good bed. Plus it goes fast. I'm not complaining.
Tomorrow I become data-disabled. I can text with people but I will be cut off from my other forms of communication. Aaaach!
Ancora imparo
