Monday - June 22

 We got a very nice gentle rain over night (8/10").    We stopped for diesel ($5.50 per gallon) and then left Algonac at 9:30.   The nice gal at the fuel dock said it was over $7 at the marina nearby.  😐 The rain was done for the day but chilly!    We cruised on the St. Clair River for 30 miles and then we were on Lake Huron (300 miles to Lake Michigan).  😒

We arrived at the Harbor Beach Marina in Harbor Beach, Michigan at 2:40.  We were last here in 2008 with Sail Catrina.  Most of the trip was comfy and smooth, but we stayed down below out of the elements.    Last few miles got a little choppy and more wind!    We did 88 miles today.   Always appreciate and happy to see dockhands (2) waiting to take our lines!

Entrance to the marina

I read and did my puzzles and took a little nap along the way.   Mark did his navigating and was a happy captain.

Mark did all his stats from the trip and then we were off to check in at the office.    We walked downtown (1.2 miles) to Freskia Ice Cream and Coffee.   Mark had a chocolate milkshake and I had an iced vanilla latte.   Definitely warmer inland away from the water (but still far from a heat wave 😀).  Harbor Beach has a great biking/walking path from the marina to downtown and beyond - if we had extra energy, we would take the bikes off the boat and ride, but we are about out of steam!

Pretty park in Harbor Beach

We love all the patriotism displayed (yesterday in Algonac and here today)

Flags are everywhere!

It is a gorgeous afternoon but only 62.    Where is summer?

Yesterday Liam told us he rode 58.95 miles on his bike.....he and Connor are in heavy training for their 1/2 ironman they are doing in July.    WOW!!!!!

We walked again at night - such a beautiful evening.   An Amish family were fishing - Mom and little kiddos while Dad and older son were using waders to catch some small-mouth bass.

I forgot how light it is here this far north  - at 9:00, the sun is still shining brightly and 10:00, still not totally dark!   

 

Sunday - June 21

 WOW.....lots to celebrate today!    Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there including this guy.

The Captain of my ship

and thee BEST Hubby, Dad and Grandpa!!!

Mark and I have so many memories of our Dads - 2 farmers with a gentle, humble spirit and wonderful role models.   Remembering Patrick and what a proud Dad he would be of 

Liam and Connor.

Michael and Philip gave us 6 grands - thank you!   You guys rock!

Today is the 1st Anniversary for Erin and Ryan

Erin, "Karen", Ryan

Congratulations

June 21, 2025

Today is the 40th wedding anniversary for Tom (Mark's brother) and Beth.   Also the birthday of our Canadian friend, Ron and Prince William.   It's also the first day of summer and the summer solstice (longest day of the year)!

We started our summer 2026 cruise this morning when we went under the Portage River bridge at 8:30.    Lake Erie was a little choppy and chilly but we had mostly sun with off and on clouds.   Then to the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River.    98.2 miles later we arrived in Algonac, MI (2:30).    Had some Mayflies we brought along from Lake Erie, but a quick hosing off got rid of them

We've stayed here a few times in the past but never walked downtown, so this afternoon we set out - it was a good jaunt but we needed to stretch our legs and then found a DQ, so had a small cone and kept on.   Never did get downtown, but not sure there is much of one.   We did get our 10,000 steps so that's what it was all about.

Tomorrow's forecast doesn't sound too promising - 95% chance of rain!   

Zoom tonight was missing Jim and Tom H.    Matt (Tom's son) and Kara sold their home and will soon be moving into their new home.    The sisters who were at McCormick's Creek told about their 2 week vacation there (spending some time in the basement during tornado warning).   Joan updated us on her ankle recovery.  

Have a great week....    

Saturday - June 20

 Very pretty day but of course, WINDY!!!!    We were off to run errands after coffee at Biggby.   Think we got the last of our groceries and have Catrina loaded up with everything but the kitchen sink!  😂

Came home and put stuff away, had lunch and then set to cleaning Catrina - boy, she needed a good scrubbing and with the strong wind, made it challenging to not get each other wet!   Ha!    But that was the least of our problems - it was getting around (up and down) scrubbing away!   The ole bods were just not liking that ordeal!!!  😐

Mark needed to exchange a piece of hardware and get a different size (carbiner) so I went along and picked up a few more items at Bassett's grocery.  

We went to 4:30 Mass with Father Jonathan (great homily) and then 1812 for dinner.  This is one of our favorite places and tonight was great as always.   Mark had the brandied pork chop and I had my usual (need to try something new, but this is sooo good)

1812 Salmon with cranberry/orange relish and jasmine rice

We started with a cup of street corn soup (WOW) and ended the meal with chocolate lava cake.   Not the best Mark's had (his very favorite dessert) but still pretty darn good!

Catrina and crew are ready to start cruising!

HAPPY   FATHER'S   DAY!

Friday - June 19

 We were up early and off to do 3 loads of laundry at "Clean Scene" (our favorite after my she shed)!   Ran a few more errands and on home.    Mark left for a haircut with Gina (walked downtown).   Another windy day!

Philip and Luke called while he was gone - they were out and about.   Told them Dad/Grandpa was getting a haircut and I was getting one later today.    He said "well, Michael and Brady are getting haircuts now and I'm getting one later!    Tis the day to get the hair cut!!!   😊

We had lunch and then I left for my haircut with Wendy.    She's so much fun and always enjoy our visits and how she cuts hair.    Stopped for an iced latte and on home.

While I was gone, Mark the dear, washed Flo and then when I got home, we put Flo and Big Red away in the storage building for the summer.

I walked downtown for a mani/pedi with Danielle at CG's.   This is a different Danielle than I used to go to here in Port Clinton.   The original Danielle (Be-YOU-ti-ful) does a great job, BUT.....she's such a Debbie Downer, so decided to try someone else.

I really enjoyed the new Danielle - very chatty, friendly and FUN!   It was a very good experience.

Mark and I decided to go to Rich's for carry-out chicken and some sides.    Their chicken is sooo moist and flavorful - tonight we also had pasta salad, cole slaw and baked beans!   All very good.   Oink oink!   But we've got leftovers.  😋

Walked around the marina - winds are still very strong - one good thing about the wind it's keeping the Mayflies away!   

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday - June 18

 Had some sprinkles this morning but the winds were really crazy!!!   We did a pump out and got fuel for Catrina.     

And then left for The Summer Kitchen in rural Helena, OH (a cute gift shop that we discovered last year.)   I browsed around - sooo much neat stuff.   And then we had lunch at The Chateau Winery.    These 2 businesses are in the same family and really nice!    We had not been to the winery so today was our 1st and what a treat.    Bill and Michele, owners were so gracious and fun to visit with and hear their history.

A small section of The Summer Kitchen

The Chateau Winery

It's a popular spot from Thursday-Sunday with nightly entertainment, wine, food, etc.    We enjoyed our lunch (chicken salad on a croissant for me and Italian panini for Mark) .   11 folks from a nearby retirement home came by shuttle bus for wine tasting and lunch.   Definitely a return place which is 1/2 hour from Port Clinton.

Onto Jackson Center to pick up Flo.   While Mark was settling up the bill, I walked to Sip + Stream for some coffees for the trip home.  2+ hours later we were back on Catrina and now making plans to leave (Sunday)? for our summer trip to Lake Michigan.

After supper we went for a short walk - still VERY windy!