Sunday - August 10

 Really warm today but what a fun day for we nomads......we left at 9 with Brooke and Blair heading to the Cleveland airport (that was not so happy, as we're sad they are leaving - sooo much fun these past 4 days!)   We'll see them again in Cedar Rapids in October at Drew and Tessa's wedding.

Thanks for coming....great time in Port Clinton

After we left the airport, we did a quick stop at Home Depot for some cleaner Mark wanted (de-greaser), but they didn't have it.    And then onto Bedford, OH where we visited Father Joe Seebauer, the parish priest at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception.    Father Joe is originally from Bloomington and babysat Michael, Anne and Philip many years ago!   Such a nice guy and we've been wanting to visit him since he was only 1 1/2 hrs from Port Clinton.     We've kept in touch thru the years with Christmas cards, but so glad we could get together.

He showed us around where he lives and then to Northfield, OH and delicious lunch at Spennato's Italian Restaurant and wonderful visit.   The Seebauers lived in our Jackson Street neighborhood and we caught up with his parents (mother Mary Ann is 89 and lives in Columbus area; his dad, Ed passed away in 2022) and his 2 brothers.   And then brought him up-to-date on our kids and their families.

On June 5, 2011, we attended Father Joe's Mass of Thanksgiving at Holy Trinity in Bloomington after being ordained a priest at age 47 following a career as a research chemist.

After lunch, he drove us to 2 of his parishes (one recently closed).   We were together almost 3 hours and just a delightful visit. 

Father Joe, Pat, Mark

Stopped at Starbucks, another Home Depot (success this time finding the right stuff) and on home.    We both took a nap.........

Between our big vacation, coming back to get Catrina ready for our guests and then 4 days with the girls, we are tired!   But a good, happy tired, and there's always tomorrow to get back to putting our 2 homes in order.

Tonight Mark did the stats for our 5+ week boat trip....

Hours spent traveling - 95

Miles cruising - 1,284.8

Gallons of diesel - 500

Diesel cost - $1,879.80

Cost per gallon - 3.75

Total days - 39

Zoom tonight with only Janet missing.   

Enjoy the week ahead!

Saturday - August 9

 Warm and sunny Saturday.    We left around 10:30 for The Orchard Farm Stand for brunch.    So pleasant sitting outside on the patio with all the beautiful flowers.

Drove around the Catawba area and showed them Twin Oast Brewery - flowers weren't as nice and gorgeous as we remembered from other years?

Then more shopping - Grandpa was our chauffeur - Newport (more shopping after all the success yesterday, 2 candy shops, downtown for popcorn and Northern Exposure gift shop).   And then on home to rest, shower and off to church - 4:30 Mass at Immaculate Conception with Father Jonathan.    Great to be back with him.

Dinner at Gideon Owen - very good, but had some issues with our server!    Oh well....she was a bit flustered, they were very busy....all is well!

We walked around afterwards on the beautiful grounds and they had a big craft fair going on with lots of folks out and about this lovely evening.

Brooke, Blair, Pat, Mark

On home (taking an alternate route as traffic was really backed up from an accident)   Luckily we were able to turn around versus sitting indefinitely as it was a mess.

Brooke packed and then we sat on Catrina's bridge with our drinks - just delightful weather.  Donna stopped by for a visit and later,  Dennis arrived and more visiting with him and then time to call it a day!

One last pretty sunset with Miss Blair

Friday - August 8

 Another pretty warm, sunny summer day.   Boy, I slept in till almost 8:30 - guess that water and sunshine yesterday really did me in!    Actually, we girls all slept in - Mark got up at his usual 5:30 AM time😕   

Brooke and I walked downtown to Coffee Express and got coffees, pastries, quiche and on home.    Mark was working on a Flo project.    Then we girls took off for shopping - we did some major damage at "Newport", "Fabulous Female" and Lake House".    I got several Christmas gifts but the best part was that from August 1-14, the state of Ohio does not charge sales tax.   Lydia (sister-in-law) had mentioned on zoom that in Missouri, they have 1 weekend of no tax but it's only on school-related items (clothes, shoes, supplies, etc.)    No tax for anything we bought today!    WOW....nice treat!

After our shopping, we came back to the marina, picked up Grandpa and went to The Tackle Box II for a late lunch - such a fun place and food was great as always.

Brooke, Blair and I played SkyJo with Brooke the winner.....then Rummikub with Brooke and myself.    We took a break and went to Scooter's for ice cream.   Met a new couple in the marina - Sylvia and George from FL.    They have a big power catamaran (Sly Cat) and are currently doing the Loop.

Donna on "So Blessed" is entertaining her sisters this week - short visit with her and she met Brooke and Blair.   Brooke and I played 2 more games of rummikub (score is ongoing)...and then nighty night.   

The shoppers

 

 

Thursday - August 7

 A very nice day to be on the water...........and that's what we did, taking Catrina to Put in Bay.    We got some coffee/drinks/almond Danish at Noddi's and then rented a golf cart for a trip around the island.    Stopped at The GOAT for lunch - good stuff and such a pretty place at the Biergarten.   

More driving around Put in Bay and then Mark dropped us off for some girl shopping (did our part to boost the PIB economy) and he returned the golf cart.

And then our 4 hours were up at "Dock 'n Dine" where we take Catrina when we come here.    Nice smooth ride back to Port Clinton.    Just delightful to be out and about today with a high of 79. 

We had drinks on Catrina, Blair prepared several appetizers and later, Brooke and I went downtown to Hibachi Express for some good Chinese (egg roll, crab rangoon, potstickers and a chicken/veggie bowl).    We are all tired after our big day (especially mellowing out after time on the water).    So...early nighty night for us - tomorrow is a brand new day!

Delicious strawberry/mango refresher

The girls with all the padlocks

 

The girls with our chauffeur

Cruisin' on Lake Erie

Catrina has a new Captain

Wednesday - August 6

 Mark and I left at 8:30 for Salon 53 and while I got a haircut with Wendy, he went to the R Coffee Corner to have coffee, a bagel and use his I-pad.    After my haircut, I walked to the coffee shop, got an iced latte (very good maple spice flavor).    And then we were off - 1st stop was Vermilion (one of our favorite Ohio towns).    We had lunch at Big Ed's Soda Grille (great burgers and shakes).

We shopped at Beechwood Center in Cleveland - a bit of retail therapy for Mark and then to the Cleveland airport to meet Brooke and Blair who flew in from Charlotte for some fun in Port Clinton the next few days.    Brooke has never been, but this is Blair's 3rd visit to Catrina here in PC.

Walked to the car and 1 hour, 15 minutes later, we were back on Catrina - they unpacked and later we went to Dock's Beach House for dinner.   Great dinner and visit.

Brooke and Blair 

Tuesday - August 5

 Beautiful day and we kept busy all day long.....did more cleaning on Catrina, then to Wal Mart for a bunch of groceries/piddlies.   Home to put stuff away, have lunch and then we went downtown for a haircut for Mark by Gina and a manicure with Danielle for me.

And then time to scrub Catrina on the outside - oh my.........she was a mess with all the bugs (spiders, gnats, etc.) - everywhere in every nook and crannie!   We kept rinsing and scrubbing and then more rinsing.   UGH......but she's looking very good.    We hope 'n pray that overnight won't bring more buggers............arghhhh.

We were veery tired tonight but a good tired.   Mark suggested we go to Dock's Beach House for drinks and appetizers - so pleasant sitting outside by Lake Erie.    Faro from Bali was our waitress - she's worked there for 16 years and so pleasant.

Tomorrow I'm getting a haircut and then we're off to Cleveland to pick up Brooke and Blair who are flying in til Sunday.    Sooo excited to have Brooke here in Port Clinton for 1st time and 3rd visit for Blair.

And speaking of Blair.....I mentioned a few weeks ago about the LONG delay in birthday cards arriving from Canada.   I mailed 4 cards (Connor, Brooke, Blair and Maeve) on June 30th from Tobermory, ON.    3 received them (not on time, but still they eventually got there).   Blair's birthday was July 19th and today (August 5th), her card arrived!    CRAZY post office in Canada and USA.

Monday - August 4

 A very productive day for the nomads.,    Mark was working on a boat project so off to the hardware store (Baby Bassett's).   I did a big cleaning of inside Catrina....we were both tired, but got a burst of energy around 4 and off to do 4 loads of laundry.

We first heard about Bell Mell Tavern (local neighborhood bar that's been around forever) from Father Jonathan, but had never been and then my boat sisters (Donna, Teri and Chris) talked about how good it is.    so.....tonight after we left the laundromat, we headed to Bell Mell - (we heard they have great pizza and Teri really likes their wings).   We shared a pizza and it was excellent ++ leftovers.

On home - tired....will put the clean clothes away tomorrow.   A rod in Ruby makes for a great drying spot for the hanging clothes - like an oven in there on warm days - today got to 79 but mostly cloudy.

Had a nice chat with Liam tonight - he's moved into new apartment in Iowa City and will be ready for classes to begin on August 25th - still enjoying his job and the biking and running!

Sunday - August 3

 We left Jefferson Beach at 7:10 this morning for "Home Sweet Home"....it was mostly a smooth ride on Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and then what was supposed to be 1' or less waves on Lake Erie turned out to be WRONG.....roly poly, choppy waters for 2/3 of the way back to Port Clinton.    But so good to see downtown at 11:10 and then the bridge opening 10 minutes early (that never happens) cause of heavy boat traffic - many boats were out big time this pretty sunny Sunday.   Todays trip was 77.7 miles

Mark brought Big Red and Flo from storage over to her regular parking spot next to Catrina (when we're transferring our stuff).    We unloaded stuff from back bedroom and cleared the way for our guests (Brooke and Blair) coming this week.   Filled up Big Red......we'll give the girls each their own room and Mark and I will sleep on Flo.

Andy and JoBeth brought their dinghy over from their marina (Bayport) in Marblehead to store and stopped to say "Hi".   They took it on vacation with them on back of "Blessed".

5 weeks and 4 days of adventures on the water - what a great time!   Our Port Clinton gang are all back home tonight - lots of memories with these good friends!

Zoom tonight included 8 siblings (Joan visiting Theresa; Karen visiting Sharon)

Here's to a fun week ahead for all...

Saturday - August 2

 Mark walked to the Lexington Coffee Co. for a latte and blueberry muffin for me.   Nice calm day for cruising.....we left Lexington at 8:10 and went 70 miles to Jefferson Beach (St. Clair Shores, MI).   We were last here in 2021 and it's a huge and very nice marina.

Met this freighter on the St. Clair River

The Wagenborg

Had lunch and then just relaxed.    Jefferson Beach is a happening place this Saturday afternoon - lots of young folks out partying and boats coming and going including a tiki bar boat.

We were last here (Jefferson Beach) on August 19, 2021 - had dinner at Golden Chopsticks and did the same tonight after 4:30 Mass at St. Lucy's with Father Ben from India now serving the Detroit diocese.   We've been to Mass at St. Lucy's in 2008, 2021 and 2025.

Another yummy Chinese dinner + egg rolls and plenty of leftovers.   We rode our bikes (2 miles) to Mass and dinner.

Tomorrow...........Port Clinton, here we come!    HOME SWEET HOME!!!

Friday - August 1

 Welcome August!    We were off at 7:15 this morning headed to "we don't know"!    Ha.....just hoping for a nice ride.    154 miles later, here we are in Lexington, MI.    It was a good day on the water (sunny, 72 and pretty smooth water with the wind behind us.)    We stopped in Port Sanilac for fuel and hoped to spend the night, but there was a Blues festival going on and this weekend has been full since February.    The dock lady felt bad she couldn't accommodate us, but when we said we would go onto Lexington (9 miles), she forewarned us about their depth and so many having to be towed......yikes....didn't like hearing that.    Mark called Lexington and they had a slip and yes, they are shallow but since we only draw 3' he thought we would be ok (he said "there are no rocks, just grass, we would be dealing with).    

He was very helpful as we came into the harbor maneuvering here and there, watching our depth gauge and the color of the water.    No problem and with the help of 3 dockhands, we were tied up by 4:00.    Mark checked in at the office and we walked uptown - dinner at The Village Pub a very happening place this Friday evening - neat old building with the brick walls, hardwood floors, metal ceiling.   Great dinners...

Mark's perch dinner with fresh veggies and roasted redskins

My BBQ chicken salad with homemade ranch

We walked around afterwards and the entire Huron Street was blocked off as many crafters were setting up their tents/booths - boy, did that bring back memories of the many years I did craft shows!!!

It's a gorgeous evening in Lexington, Michigan.    We are tired after almost 9 hours on the water - nighty night!    Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday - July 31

 The last day of July and what a day!   We were hoping to leave today but knew with the strong winds it was iffy.....Mark and I walked to the cabin for a hearty breakfast.    Maria (Dennis's daughter) and fiance, Paul came in early this morning from the Dayton area for a few days visit.   We met them earlier this summer in Port Clinton.  Donna and Maria made a big batch of bacon, sausage and scrambled eggs.   

We said our good byes to the gang.....see ya back at Superior Marine!    Mark and I walked back to Catrina and set to work fixing a bathroom (head) issue.   Mark worked away and Donna gave him a ride to Ace Hardware in Rogers City for repairs.   Back to the job.....winds were dying down a bit so hoped we could cruise the 3 hours to Harrisville.    At 3:20, we had stowed all our stuff and on our way.    But after 2 miles....not fun with beam seas, so we turned around and now settled in our slip for another night here in Presque Isle.

Our friends told us to join them for pizza tonight if we happened to stay over.   Really appreciate the offer, but we are tired and have plenty of leftovers.

The wind finally died down around 6ish - beautiful evening.   We went for a nice walk!    Presque Isle is such a lovely place.    

A picture-perfect zinnia

Presque Isle, Michigan

Wednesday - July 30

 Wow....big cruise ship came in overnight - we think its the Great Lakes Cruise.   

Lots of folks visiting Mackinac Island today

Our group was all up early to see Dennis and Teri off in "Magic" and 2nd home for them in Presque Isle.    Bob and Donna were meeting the 8:00 ferry to Mackinaw City and then drive in Donna's new car to Presque Isle.  Said our good byes and then we left around 8:15.    We cruised 70.2 miles - some of it choppy, but been in far worse.    The winds were supposed to be from the NW but they were NE...so......not as nice as we thought we'd have.

When we arrived at the Presque Isle State Harbor, Dennis, Teri, Bob, Donna, Andy and JoBeth were at the fuel dock to take our lines.   Andy and JoBeth just stopped for fuel and then back on the water.    We settled into our slip with Bob's help and also Terry (dockmaster).   Had lunch, took showers and then Donna picked us up and we went to cabin (7/10 of a mile).    What a beautiful place on Lake Huron - oh my - so peaceful with the rocky coast line and view of the water from all over the cabin.

We sat outside in the afternoon enjoying the view, sound of the waves crashing to shore and lots of yakking.    Mark and I can definitely see why Dennis and Teri want to "get away from it all" and come to this bit of paradise.                            

Bob, Dennis, Mark - just chillin'

Rocky coast line

Neat archway bult by Dennis's son, Matt

Us at the Arch

The Girls

Pat, Donna, Teri

We had steaks and pork chops which Dennis grilled + corn and and a fresh fruit plate.   We later waked back to the marina and had ice cream at "Ida Mae's Portage Deli" - very good!   Said our good nights to all and they walked back to the cabin and we walked to Catrina.

Mark, Bob, Dennis, Teri, Donna (excellent ice cream at Ida Mae's)

Tuesday - July 29

 Nice sunny start to the day.    Mark went to Watercolor for coffees and then we walked to Doud's Grocery for some of their yummy chicken salad, pasta salad and other goodies.   Brought our stuff home to put away.   Along the way, we saw Michael and Chris who were coming to say good bye as they were driving for Port Huron to see the status on "Journey", their boat that had the oil issue in Tobermory.  

 We walked to the Iroquois Hotel (Carriage House) for our 11:00 reservation for brunch.    This is such a beautiful place and 10 of us had a lovely table by the water with striped umbrellas (all connected) overhead.   We ordered drinks, then our meals (breakfast or lunch) and all having a good time....and then a few sprinkles?   But we "thought" we were protected cause after all, it wasn't supposed to rain?   Well, after a few bites of our food, it got heavier and oh my.................a real gully washer.   We grabbed plates and drinks and headed inside as fast as possible along with other diners.    The staff was so accommodating and set us up with a nice table.   Wow....that was quite a memory, but we all loved our food/drink.

My lobster benedict and spinach salad

We posed afterwards and a nice family from Peoria, IL  took our picture.

Andy, JoBeth, Mark, Pat, Bob, Donna, Teri, Dennis, Chris, Dave

Missing Michael and Chris

After brunch and the sun came out, we walked back to our boats - Mark and I took a short nap and then revived for a walk to The Arch.   It's 207 steps to the top.   We only went 40  and called it good!

Bought a water at Boxwood (coffee/ice cream shop in the Mission Point Inn) and then I browsed around the gift shop "Cherished Memories".   

Stopped at St. Anne's church - 350 years of Christianity here on the island.   It is beautiful.  There are 20 year-round parishioners and 80 in the summertime.

The history

View from 40 steps

Mission Point Inn

These "snowballs" are everywhere on the island - a form of hydrangea

View of St. Anne's from "Magic"

 We have done sooo much eating since we arrived on Mackinac Island (well, for us almost 5 weeks since we started this vacation).    So tonight we each brought an appetizer to "Magic" and enjoyed another gorgeous (and last) evening together.    Chris and Dave brought over delicious brats, baked beans and sweet potato casserole.   And then they went back to their boat and returned with Brandy Alexanders - oh my!!!!

Delicious and made with Tofts ice cream from Port Clinton

Teri and Dennis

Chris and Dave

Andy and JoBeth

Bob and Donna

Pat and Mark

These gals (one from Ecuador and the other, Spain) were paddleboarding near "Magic" - Chris asked if they would like a Brandy Alexander - they had never heard of that drink.....but sure enjoyed it!

August 28, 2008, we ate with Philip and Annette at the Carriage House in the Iroquois Hotel

and today, we had brunch there (and then the deluge came)

Notice....17 years ago, we were wearing jackets!!!

Our last night on Mackinac Island - such a magical place.....tomorrow, we all move on - Mark and I will be heading to Presque Isle where Teri and Dennis have a cabin.   Bob and Donna will join us and hopefully?   Michael and Chris

A few photos from last night at The Woods

The dining room before it was totally full

Carriage ride back 

Dennis, Teri, JoBeth and Andy

Mark, Pat, Donna, Bob

So very sad to hear about Ryne Sandberg's (Chicago Cubs star 2nd baseman - #23) death yesterday.    What a legend he was - I was a big fan back in the day.    Our Anne loved Ryno and followed him with a passion.   Liam and Connor met Ryno a few years ago - they were in a store near Wrigley Field and he was buying a gift for his grandchild.  

Monday - July 28

Very windy today.....we wanted to ride the 8-mile bike road  around the island but with so much bike/horse traffic, decided to do it EARLY.   So, by 8:23, we were on our way and what a delightful ride.   Nice wide path and not many others out and about.    Took us 55 minutes and then back home.   Thoroughly enjoyed this ride and by the time we came back, the crowds were back in force and just growing as the day went on. 

BIG news since I posted the blog last night - our friends Bob, Donna, Michael and Chris from Port Clinton ll showed up last night - they drove (separately) from OH to Mackinaw City and took the ferry over.   What a wonderful surprise!    Bob and Donna are staying with Dennis and Teri; Michael and Chris at the Mackinac House.

Mark got the bike batteries and our headsets charging and then we took off for downtown - the coffee shop lines were LONG, but we remembered the Liberty Bay Cookie Co. on Hessel had a new location here so we went there (Mackinac Island Cookie Co.) which has those huge delicious cookies and my latte but they had no decaf Americano for Mark.   He walked across the street to Doud's for a chocolate milk.   We also shared a cinnamon roll from the cookie company.

Bob and Donna walked down to meet us at the Pink Pony - Donna bought a cap and then we walked on this very nice day but oh so many people out and about! 

Donna and Bob

After lunch Mark and I walked to the Grand Hotel - such a spectacular place!   

The Grand Hotel

Mark resting amongst the flowers

Esther Williams swimming pool

Stopped at Sanders for ice cream and then visited with our Port Clinton marina folks on "Magic" belonging to Teri and Dennis.

The Boat Sisters

Donna, Pat, Teri, Chris

1st time to all be together since we were in Fort Myers in March

12 of us took a carriage ride to The Woods (part of the Grand Hotel) which is literally in "the woods"

for a wonderful dinner - wow....what a neat place.   Unfortunately,, did not get a picture.    Carriage ride to the Iroquois Hotel and the Carriage House bar for after-dinner drinks and more visiting.   A very fun evening!

Sunday - July 27

 Gorgeous Sunday....we walked a few blocks to Our Lady of the Snows for 9:00 Mass.   What a neat church with Father Jemejt Sustar.   Father has served 4 parishes (Our Lady of the Snows here in Hessel; St. Florence on Drummond Island, St. Stanislaus Kostka in Goetzville and Sacred Heart in Detour Village.)  Today was his last day so a nice farewell followed by a reception after Mass.   Father's new assignment will be at St. John the Evangelist in Ishpeming, MI.

Beautiful tribute to Mary at Our Lady of the Snows

After church we walked to the coffee shop connected to the culinary school.   It's open Friday-Sunday.   Enjoyed our coffees and shared a delicious cherry (gotta love those Michigan cherries) and orange muffin.

Bye bye Hessel - sure enjoyed our stay here!

We arrived on Mackinac Island at 12:40 (nice cruising at 9.3 mph and 15.3 miles).   So good to be on east dock and see our Port Clinton friends - Dennis and Teri, Andy and JoBeth.   Another couple from Catawba Island (Dave and Chris) are on the town dock, but we'll all be hanging out together.  

  Mark and I walked down the main drag of the island - oh, soooo many people this beautiful Sunday along with oodles of bicyclists, and horse=driven carriages     We think we've been here 5 previous times, but not since 2008 when Philip and Annette were with us and we did a day trip by car from Tawas City. to Mackinaw City and then took the ferry to Mackinac Island.   Later we sold Sail Catrina that trip.    17 years.........wow.... still as beautiful as ever and the flowers are just magnificent.

The others went to the Pink Pony for drinks, but a 1.5 hour wait....not sure what they ended up doing.    After our walk, we came back to Catrina and took a nap!  Sure feels like summertime today with a high of 81.

We went for another walk in the afternoon and then decided to check out Doud's grocery store and instead of braving a restaurant and the massive crowds, we bought some delicious chicken salad (with Michigan cherries), and pasta salad and back to Catrina for a very tasty early supper.   

Only 6 on zoom tonight - Karen (Auntie) is on vacation at Spirit Lake, Iowa, the usual health concerns, etc.....missing Jim, Marilyn, Janet, Sharon and Tom H.

Ryan and Erin having fun on Lake James