Great Loop Day 014 Sept 11, 2016, Crossing Saginaw Bay and Venison Burgers
Port Austin to East Tawas, MI
“Life comes at us in waves. We can’t predict or control these waves, but we can learn to surf.” -Dan Millman
<Day 13 Previous Post | First Post | Next Post Day 15>
Day 14 Sunday, Sept 11, 2016. Made it across the rough and rolling Saginaw Bay. Watched the weather all morning and saw an opportunity to dash across the bay. Total mileage 29.6 to East Tawas State Park Marina. Left at 1:40 pm and arrived at 6:21 pm. Said goodbye to my new sailing friends.
John Schriber and Starr were very gracious to offer me dinner aboard their 28ft sailboat, Halcyon yesterday evening. John hails from Bad Ax, Michigan. Yep, there really is such a place. John served up a delicious venison burger that was quite extraordinary using John's special recipe of herbs and seasonings. It was better than most burgers I had. Thanks, John and Starr, it was wonderful spending the evening with you, and hope you get that voyage you are dreaming of.
Lots of room for me but John wanted more.
I like those nets for additional overhead storage.
That's living but John wants a bigger boat to live aboard. Dreams do come true. They set out ahead of me but my 9.8hp outboard was no match for their speed. Waved a long goodbye and off to the northwest, I motored. For some 5 hours, I was hitting long rollers on the port bow. Occasionally waves came crashing into the boat. Several times splashing me wet. It's just Saginaw Bay giving me a big ole wet kiss! Times I didn't know if my sweatpants were wet from lake water or pee. OK, just lake water. I'm pretty sure, now.
That's John's sailboat the Halcyon.
Rounding the red channel buoy the waves were on my tail. Lifting my stern then gravity sent me surfing down the face and all I could do was yell Cowabunga! Dudes!. Somewhere in Heaven Brian Wilson is writing his next big hit. Surfin Sea Marie! My eTrex GPS recorded one ride at 9.6mph. Edward Durma, who has been following me via text, said it the forecast calls for 3- 5 foot waves and that they were. This was the deepest water I sailed across. The deepest depth I have seen was 101 feet at the halfway point. Getting to bed early as the next leg will be a run with winds from the south. Hey Frankie and Annette, are you watching me? Fair winds and gentle seas...
This is the waypoint I had my GPS trained on Red “2”. Just a left turn and you are in Tawas Bay.
East Tawas State Dock like all the state docks is set in parks for the residents to enjoy.
Mickey just sighed, as I read him another log entry.
My plotted course from Port Austin to East Tawas.
Comments from 2016:
Scott Stanley Sikorski when we traveled across Lake Huron I was always amazed at how clear and clean the water was. safe travels my friend, always look forward to your posts. it brings back memories of our trip through Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
Pogo Bob Yippee-Ki-Yi-Ay! Get along little Sea Marie!
Bob Meredith The saga is more exciting than The African Queen! Calm seas and fair winds, Henry!
John Schriber Safe passage my new friend. that's you in there.
