Great Loop Day 006 Sept 3, 2016, Lake St Clair Marina Metro Beach Rest Day
Rest days are anything but rest days.
“The cabin of a small yacht is truly a wonderful thing; not only will it shelter you from a tempest, but from the other troubles in life, it is a safe retreat.” ~L. Francis Herreshoff
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Day 6 Saturday, Memorial Day Weekend Sept 3, 2016. Today was my first rest day and my second night at Metro Beach Marina. I have to move from this dock as all the docks here are reserved for tomorrow's holiday. This being Saturday of the Labor Day Weekend, I was lucky the Marina had one opening. I had to move from A27 to A56 and that was a good move away from the shower/restroom building. More below photos…
The first slip, oops ‘Well’, I was sent to.
(See info on my Tip Jar at bottom of the post, Thanks)
The second location here at Lake St Clair Metro Beach. Still able to have shore power.
Relaxing with a large slushie. Hits the spot on this warm day.
This Metropark Marina is ideal for a weekend getaway.
There is a large fenced-in swimming pool with a water slide. I can see why this is a popular destination.
Mickey has his own litter box all to himself. The cabin has just enough room to move around. Actually, it is quite cozy and warm.
Last night the local kids with a boombox (apparently, they still make them), thought it would be a good spot to congregate… in front of my boat. They were up past 11 pm. Poor Mickey is definitely not fond of them or their choice of rap music and I can't blame him. Rushing this morning to clean the mess Mickey left me. Kitty litter everywhere.
Well, another one of my objectives worked out. Staged out the Schwinn folding bike, a model called Loop, no really, it's called the Loop. And attached an empty 5-gallon gas can with some good scouting knots using my new 15 ft dock line and covered it with a canvas cover I made at home. Rode it about a half-mile to the corner Valero gas station. First, needed to pump up the tires for only 50 cents. Remember when air for your tires was free? Then bike to the gas pump, put my credit card in the gas pump, and filled the can with 5 gallons of gas right on the bike. Put the cover back so people don't freak out thinking it's for a crazy BBQ cookout grill. The bike maneuvered admirably well with the heavy gas can on the rack.
Good shot of the folding Schwinn Loop bike.
Marine fuel is always more expensive and one way to reduce the cost was to buy automotive gasoline. I paid $3.99/gal for non-ethanol marine gas at Humbug Marina; here it was $2.29 a gallon for regular. It's E10 gas meaning it contains 10% ethanol. I've checked with the dealer on using ethanol for my Tohatsu 9.8hp outboard and they said it's ok if not done consistently. So I'll mix it with regular nonethanol marine gas. In fact, I went back to fill a second gas can knowing tomorrow's sail up St Clair River is going to take more fuel than I originally figured. So I have onboard 17 gallons of fuel. Now I feel like I'm sailing a fuel tanker. Now when Pogo Bob did his trip in 2007 in a 23-foot sailboat he installed an 18-gallon tank below. Reduced the need to fuel up so often.
The gas can stayed sturdy and strong the few miles I rode the bike from the marina.
BTW for those that didn't know Pogo Bob Endicott wrote of his Great Loop exploits in 2007 and his ebook is available on Kindle. Excellent resource material and has been my steadfast mentor in helping me plan and prepare for this epic journey. However, Bob and his wife, Tish, wisely chose to do the Trent Severn Canal in Canada to avoid sailing Lake Erie and motoring the Detroit and St Clair rivers.
Well, one mishap has occurred in that I broke the flimsy zipper on my bike bag. Regrettably, Schwinn did not provide a good sturdy bag with a heavy-duty zipper for this folding bike.
One of the most pleasant aspects of this journey is meeting and talking with other people and I will remember Metro Beach as the place I met Rose Fox and her friend, Paul Richie. We're still friends on Facebook to this day.
So tomorrow is a short trip of about 13 nautical miles to Algonac Harbor going the way of the North Channel as suggested by Noel Gingerich and being careful to follow the channel markers. Spoke to the person at Algonac on the phone this morning and he suggested I call after 10 am to find out if they have space for me. The harbormaster knew some boaters are planning to leave. A call placed to Sunset Harbor Marina across from Algonac said all their transient docks were reserved for the entire weekend. Note to self: Avoid St Clair River on Labor Day! Looking forward to a carefree boat ride. Fair winds and gentle seas to all and enjoy this Labor Day Weekend.
The setup with the siphon hose to transfer gas from the can to the main tank.
Comments from 2016:
Pogo Bob Thanks for the plug, Henry! I hope I have been able to help in some small way. You are definitely making the trip of a lifetime! If any of your followers have an interest in reading our adventures, here's where to find it on Amazon: Log of Pogopelli: The Great Loop: 6,000 miles on a 23' sailboat https://www.amazon.com/.../ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cL7YxbS7CSKMV
Rose Fox Greg Jablonski meet Henry Krzemien.
Dan Sheridan, I'm impressed with your creativity and resourcefulness, Henry Krzemien!
Bob Meredith Onward!
Debbie Allgire, You missed this big girl in Sandusky. Enjoy your trip.S/V Lady Jane
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Thank you!
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