Day 4 of 30 / Port Austin to Presque Ile

Harbor Hopping on the Great Lakes 2024

Monday, July 15, 2024: We were startled awake to the sound of rain just before 7:00 a.m. The sky was clear and stunning when we went to bed the night before so we didn't put up any canvas in the cockpit and the rain storm caught us by surprise. We jumped out of bed and quickly started zipping everything up. It took both of us working together to get everything secure since the wind started blowing pretty intensely. I glanced across the dock and noticed the woman on the boat behind us. She was helping her husband zip up their canvas too but she was still...In. Her. Lacy. Flowy. Nightgown. ;-) I n t e r e s t i n g. 

So anyway, many other boaters were also hustling around to get their boats secured just like us. We intended on leaving by 8:00 a.m. but instead, we relaxed and savored a pot of coffee with Mike & Mary until around 10:00 when they left to go home. The rain was moving out so we left Port Austin at 11:05 and saw a few raindrops for about another hour but nothing serious. Soon after, we had clear blue skies and calm waters.

As we're heading across the lake, we see four other boats. It was obvious they were traveling together even though they were quite a distance from one another. They turned and headed towards Alpena as we continued on our path. As we were approaching Presque Isle State Harbor, there were some boats anchored together in front of the lighthouse. It was three of the four boats we saw earlier! They must be aware of a quicker route than we are. At 2:51, we are entering the mouth of the harbor and I can hardly contain myself. This is one of my favorite boat destinations. 

We pull up to the gas dock for fuel and then get secured in our boat slip for the night. Soon after, we have our cooler packed and we're heading out for a dinghy ride. It's incredibly beautiful here. There are huge boulders deep below the water's surface and the lake is so clear that it looks as if I can reach out and touch them. We noticed the fourth boater in the group arrived and rafted off with the rest of them. I'm curious if they're a boat club or just friends traveling together. 

Larry heads towards the beach and pulls the dinghy up on shore. Laying in the warm sand, listening to the gently lapping water is pure bliss to me. The water is so warm that we both walk right in without hesitation and dive below the surface. Absolutely incredible. We relax on our towels for a while and let the sun dry us off as we sip our drinks and savor the beauty. We were excited to eat dinner; boiled shrimp, andouille sausage, potatoes and corn, smothered in Old Bay and butter. It's one of seven home cooked meals we prepared ahead of time and then froze for nights just like this. 

leaving Port Austin at 11:05 a.m.

...until next time

a little rain...

followed by clear blue skies!

entering Presque Ile Harbor....2:50 p.m.

dinghy ride....look how clear the water is. It looks as if we can reach out and touch the rocks

This is us...Our summer floating cottage!

shrimp & sausage boil for dinner

P.S. I started putting in each picture individually rather than creating a slide show (as in the previous posts)  that shows only one image at a time. This way, you can see the various shades of blue the sky and water changes throughout the course of the day. It never ceases to amaze me.