Day 73: Heading to Charlevoix
Day 73: September 29: Last night we noticed the wind shifting, giving us hope that it would decrease enough to allow us an opportunity to get UW this morning. Once again, even in the midst of turbulent weather there is beauty to be found. The moon shining over the harbor was glorious.
Overnight, the roaring wind finally subsided, bringing relief to all of us. We slept well, not having to endure the jerking and bouncing that has plagued us for the last 4 days. In the morning the water was flat and calm and the wind was but a breeze. Anxious to be on our way, we made preparations, threw off the lines and headed out toward the Mackinac Bridge. As we made our way out of the harbor I watched as the island and its landmarks like the Grand Hotel slowly faded away and turned my focus to new sites and wonderment.
Just outside the harbor, we passed the Round Island Passage Light which marks the southern side of North Channel, the narrow passage between Round Island and Mackinac. The light commenced operation in 1948. The structures main light includes a "solid bank of sealed beam lamps" of 3000 candlepower. The light is visible for 16 miles. All we could do was yearn to be out here this week. I was delighted to finally cruise past this marker.
We also passed the Round Island Lighthouse, located on a sand and cobblestone spit extending from Round Island into the narrow channel between Round Island and Mackinac Island. It was built in1895 under the Lighthouse Board which became the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1910. In 1939, the U.S. Coast Guard was given responsibility for all lighthouses. Round Island Light was deactivated in 1947; it is now being maintained by a cooperative effort between the Forest Service and the Round Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. I think many of us take lighthouses for granted, but as we travel along the waterways and learn about their stories, we have developed an appreciation for, and deep interest in them.
Our next landmark was the Mackinac Bridge also known as Big Mac or Mighty Mac. Stretching 5 miles long, it is one of the longest suspension bridges in the U.S. and the world. It spans the Straits of Mackinac which joins Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas and connects Lake Huron with Lake Michigan. While the Great Lakes are infamous for their "ice water mansions", the Straits have also had their share of wrecks; boasting more than 100 that remain on the bottom of the narrow passage.
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| Straits of Mackinac |
We said goodbye to Lake Huron and hello to Michigan. We traveled 51 miles in about 6 hours 40 minutes to Charlevoix. We originally planned on stopping in Petosky where David and Sandra were heading but changed our minds halfway through our cruise, deciding to keep on trucking to Charlevoix, known as one of the top ten Looper destinations for its quaintness and easy access to shops and restaurants.
The trip was pleasant with 4 to 5 knot west/southwest winds. Under these conditions, Lake Michigan was sparkling and well behaved. Historically, west winds prevail on the lake; however for the past month winds have been blowing easterly which would be perfect for cruising on the Michigan side of the lake. How is it that today things shifted? Mother Nature has a way of keeping us on our toes.
The Charlevoix Municipal Marina lies on Round Lake. Entering the lake from Lake Michigan requires vessels to pass through the Bridge Street Bridge which opens every half hour. It is a bascule bridge that spans Island Lake Outlet, also known as the Pine River Channel. The channel connects Lake Michigan to Lake Charlevoix via Round Lake. Another boat was already in the inlet when we entered and our Looper friends on Karla B were cruising in behind us. The bridge opened and we proceeded through.
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