Safe in Home Port

Last Thursday's events improved dramatically on Friday.  The storm passed over night and when we got back to the Lady she was happily at anchor where we left her the night before.  Water coming in was only when lots of water came over the deck (spray, she doesn't nose into even 8' waves--very cool).  During Friday's short trip I finished cleaning out the bilge area and had to clean the pump filter a couple of more times and that seemed to solve the problem. 

Friday started out fairly calm.  We hooked a ride from the Holiday Inn in Alpena back to Rockport with Alpena Diving Service, a marine salvage company going out to a dive in the area near our boat.  Very nice people!  Once back on board, they left, a bit of a sinking feeling.  But the engine started right up and the bilge pump was working, so off we went. 

Shortly after starting, though, the wind picked up and soon we had 3-5 foot waves dead ahead--once again!  Really, we can't catch a break?!  We went about two hours and made harbor in Presque Isle harbor and decided to spend the night, get re-organized, have some beer and wine, and prepare for the next day.  That did the trick, as Sat. was predicted to be a great travel day. 

Yea, not exactly.  Great weather along the coast for four hours to Hammond Bay on Friday.  We gassed up and checked the weather--south winds about 5 mph for the rest of the afternoon.  The last leg, from Hammond Bay to Les Cheneaux Islands, included about 10 miles across Lake Huron.  You know what's coming next.  SE winds closer to 15 knots, waves 2-4' on an angle to our course, so lots more pitching and rolling.  Not enough deck wash to cause bilge problems, thank you very much! 

It was a happy hour or so watching the UP come into view and starting to recognize landmarks.  Motored right to the "yacht entrance" to the Islands by Government Island and then took the victory lap through the islands, past our old cottage and saw a couple of friends along the way to Hessel.  Pulled into our slip without incident and went to dinner with our buddies, Paul and Julie.  They offered to let us crash at their house, and crash we did.  Great to be home and close this chapter of the Shady Lady's saga.