Harbor Hopping 2025: Day 1

We pulled out of our boat slip at 2:03 p.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025. We've been excited for this moment for weeks; excited to head out on another boating adventure. It will not be the 30 day trip we took last year. It's hard not to keep thinking about how amazing that trip was and for me, the best part was the perfect weather conditions. For 90% of that month, we experienced flat calm waters and extremely warm temperatures in Lake Huron. It was wonderful and our expectations are high for this trip that will be nearly half in duration. ​

It takes about 40 minutes to cross Lake St. Clair to get in the St. Clair River and this is the point when it starts feeling like vacation. The views are so serene and we never tire of it.

We made it within 10 minutes of the St. Clair River Bridge opening at 4:00 p.m. Like before, there were boats gathering on the river in front of us waiting for the opening and we followed the other boaters through and soon we were settled into our boat slip for the night. 

A man came to greet us as we pulled in. He was docked a few slips away and turns out to be friends with  someone from our marina. These connections always amaze me! He said there are several boats there for the weekend from our marina but we didn't know them. 

We packed a cooler with some snacks and got into the dinghy, and spent the next couple of ours idling along the Pine River. As much as I enjoy this, I really am looking forward to the clear blue waters of Lake Huron that we'll be in tomorrow. 

As many times as we've been in this marina, I don't think I've ever been able to capture the sunset before now. I couldn't seem to take my eyes off it as we started making our way into town.

First we went to Voyageur to relax at the edge of the river and watch the freighters go by. They are incredibly magestic and enormous to see from such close proximity. Then we went to Pepper Joe's for dinner; just like we did last year. Their food is great and their views are spectacular too. 

I felt like a giddy little girl climbing into bed. Bringing the feather bed from home is such a luxury and I could hardly wait to climb in. There is the gentlest rocking motion that quickly lulls me to sleep.