Sunday - June 28

 Happy 57th to us...

June 28, 1969

June 28, 2026

We walked (uphill) to 10:00 Mass at Stella Maris - what a beautiful celebration, joyful choir and packed with vacationers which was great to see!    Father Tom Farrell serves 5 parishes in Door County (Sister Bay, Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, Bailey's Harbor and Jacksonport).    Today was Father's last day as he's retiring and will be living in Sister Bay.    

Walked "down" the hill and stopped at "Happy Coffee" for our morning fix and then met a couple walking their 2 dogs.    She was wearing a "Put-in-Bay" t-shirt, so we stopped and chatted.   They keep their boat in Port Clinton and know Dennis and Dave from our marina.  They are Mike and Anne (just like our twins).  Small world.   On back to Catrina.   It is another beautiful day in Door County!

Happy Birthday to Mark's sister Joan who was just 14 (57 years ago today)!

Our grand dog "Karen" (Erin and Ryan's Golden) has been sick this week and hard to diagnose and then developed pneumonia.     She spent the night at the vet's and this afternoon, the very hard decision to have her pass peacefully.   Unfortunately, Ryan is in training in Memphis; feel so for Erin - Karen was her "baby".    We are so sad for this news.   Jinx (Michael and Brooke's) died on Mark's birthday last November 7th and now Karen passed away on our anniversary.   🥹

RIP Karen

June 21, 2025

We went for a walk late afternoon - wow, what a big change with the temp much cooler, no sun and a few sprinkles.    We have a rainy week ahead!   😔

We had our anniversary dinner at "Chop" a short walk from the marina.   It is #2 in Sister Bay according to Trip Advisor - wonderful meal, service and ambiance.

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Saturday - June 27

 What a gorgeous day.....sunny, calm and upper 60s as we borrowed the courtesy car here at Shipyard Marina for a trip to The Red Cup Coffee House.     What a popular and funky place.    It's fairly close to the ferry dock (cars and people), so lots of traffic especially on a Saturday morning when folks are coming to the island for the weekend.

We only had a short wait in line as it kept getting longer and almost out the door,    Mark had a breakfast burrito and I had a bacon, brie with honey drizzle croissant - both were delish along with our coffees.   

This place was full of mis-matched furniture, old timey stuff and just so eclectic and fun including tiny Christmas lights over the counter.   The Red Cup has been in business for 26 years - such a yummy menu.

Counter with Christmas lights

Mark with his I-pad and coffee waiting for his burrito.

The tablecloths were all oldies (cloth) that my Mom and Grandma had back in the day

We left Washington Island - what a great day on the water and we had a leisurely ride since we were in no hurry (check-in at Sister Bay is 1:00), and we only had 15 miles.    I kept wondering where were all the boats on Green Bay this spectacular day?    Saw very few and that was towards the end of the trip as we got closer to Sister Bay but that's where the action was.    Tied up at our slip with nice helper dockhands and a pump out right at the boat! 

Went for a walk - ooh my...........summertime has arrived with the weather and people everywhere - the beach is packed, boats coming and going, lots of traffic on the streets and crowded sidewalks.    We went to Analog Ice Cream and Coffee for some yummy cones and kept on walking eventually back to Catrina.   Ice cream was so yummy - we haven't exactly had "ice cream" weather!!!  

We sat on the bridge with our wine late afternoon and just soaked up all this warm sunshine!

After supper on Catrina, we walked down Bay Shore (where it's all happening) - still lots of people out and about.

We have an awesome spot for viewing the sunset, but some cloud cover tonight, so....

Catrina's home for the next 4 nights in Sister Bay

 

Friday - June 26

 We had a really good 7 hours on the water with sunshine and calm seas.    We left Mackinaw City at 5:59 AM with Mark getting it all together,,...we arrived on Washington Island, WI at 12:45 (nice to be back in the central time zone and gain that hour!

This is a very small unique place at the top of Door County.    We were last here in '06 and also 1999 when we were with friends for a Mid Illini Cruise and Rendezvous in Fish Creek.   But...back in the summer of 1986 (FORTY years ago), Mark and I trailered our new 24' sailboat (Miss Megan) on her first big voyage to Lake Michigan.    We brought Philip, 9 and his friend Jon, 10 along on that trip - fond memories.    I guess Ryan, Michael and Anne stayed with my parents....too long ago for the ole minds to remember!   Ha!

We settled in, had lunch and took naps.    Later in the afternoon we walked - this small island only has 708 residents!    Gosh, the warmer weather feels sooo good - today is sunny, calm and 65.

Connor is visiting Liam this weekend in Minnesota; Brady is with Drew and Tessa in Cedar Rapids.

At 6:08 AM, we were getting close to the Mackinac Island Bridge

We've been under it more times than over it

Cruised along past this freighter today but we won

Yesterday Mark saw this giant sculpture of a hot dog on top of Wienerlicious, a popular roadside diner in Mackinaw City - it is a record breaking 63' long.

BIG hot dog!

We have a restaurant here at the marina - "Sailor's Pub" but decided we should eat some leftovers, so....that's what we did and then went for a nice long walk - beautiful evening.

Have a great weekend.

Thursday - June 25

 Mother Nature apparently has not checked the calendar to see that summer officially began last Sunday?    This is crazy.....another day of cold and wind (rain, too, this morning)!

Plenty of rain this morning.    We grabbed our yellow raincoats (looked like 2 ducks), and umbrellas and walked downtown to Cook's Coffee Nook for our coffees and some yummy scones.    What a cute shop with gifts, too.  

Cook's Coffee Nook

Patriotic tree

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Stopped at Save-a-Lot for a few things and back to Catrina.    The rain had stopped briefly so decided to take off for Mackinaw City but by the time we got ready, the rain came back.    We cruised 52 miles and most of it was without rain, but the last mile coming into Mackinaw City was really rough (ferry traffic caused some of that).   3 young guys helped us at the fuel dock (Catrina is very thirsty these days 😒) and then took our lines along the wall across from Shepler's ferry dock which goes frequently to Mackinac Island.

We walked downtown (all bundled up as are all the other folks)   Here it is June 25th and instead of shorts, t-shirts and flip flops, we're wearing hoodies, jackets, etc. etc.

We had lunch at The Dixie Saloon - Reuben for me and whitefish for Mark - delish!    We each went our separate ways -  I wanted to check out the shops (it's been 20 years since we were here - some changes but still lots of fudge shops, t-shirts and sweatshirts are everywhere and a lotta touristy stuff).    Back to Catrina - nice 'n cozy.    Mark took a nap and I did puzzles and read.

At 6:30 we put on our layers (3) + rain coats + gloves and off we walked - took the street where all the motels/hotels are.    A lot of new stuff since we were here last August 18, 2006.  I didn't start doing the blog till January, 2008.    But Mark has kept great records of our boating trips way before that. As we were coming back to Catrina, it started raining again............

A few days ago Mark heard on the VHF radio that 1 year ago Alpena, Michigan had broken a record with 97 degrees.....what a big difference this year!   Sure could use some of that heat!

 

Wednesday - June 24

"What a Difference a Day Makes" as the song goes and that was sure the case today - 7 hours of smooth cruising from Harbor Beach to Rogers City (130 miles).

We got some diesel for Catrina here at the Rogers City Marina and then settled into our slip- maybe one night or depending on the weather, could be 2 nights as rain is predicted for tomorrow.    Actually the rain started shortly after we got back from our walk downtown and checked out a cute store (The Painted Lady) - also 2 coffee shops (tomorrow).

We went to The Lighthouse (with umbrella) for early dinner.   It was very busy.   Mark had pot roast and I had pizza (good stuff)!    Then the walk back in the rain (it poured while we were eating) and cold.    

Hard to believe we were last here in Rogers City 19 years ago with sail Catrina - now starting our 18th season with power Catrina.

Around 7:30, the sun came out, the wind died down and a beautiful evening so we did another walk.