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Started with visiting friends and family in Bloomer, Wisconsin, and attending a family reunion. Then launch at St. Ignace, Michigan, and enjoy a week on Mackinac Island. Read more
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  • C-TravelerTravelerFamily Reunion and Mackinac Is
    This is the tie rod on the main side. It was that small bar along the bottom that bent.
    This is the part of the cable that enters the kicker mount.This is the linkage that attaches to the kicker. It was the tie rod here that froze up inside.Loaded up and ready to head out. Got the bikes for Mackinac Island.This is a photo of what the Seastar HO6122 looks like installed.

    Boat Prep and Ready to Head Out

    June 27 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    Before this trip, I had an issue with my steering tie bar/cable between the main outboard and kicker. The steering tube inside the Kicker mount had froze up. This caused the small tie rod connected to the main to bend under the pressure of the steering hydraulics. I received my new part yesterday afternoon and was able to get it installed last evening. See the photos for the new install.Read more

  • C-TravelerTravelerFamily Reunion and Mackinac Is
    Small formation of airplanes flying near Chippewa Falls.
    All family, except for Rosanne's closest friends, Chris and Kelly, who are like family!

    Arrived Bloomer

    June 27 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    Good drive north to Bloomer. For a Friday afternoon, traffic wasn't too bad. Neither was construction. lol. Quick stop at Hixton for gas and some ice cream! Towing the boat, knocks the F150's mileage down to just shy of 10 mpg. This weekend, Saturday and Sunday, is the Chippewa Valley Airshow. Apparently the Navy's Blue Angels were getting in some practice as we saw them fly over us in formation several times near Chippewa Falls. Sorry, no photos as I was driving. However, later, while dropping the boat off at the end of our friends street where we are staying, I did get a photo of a larger formation of smaller planes flying over. Later this evening, we met several other family members and friends at Adventures Await for supper. Adventures Await is a combined campground and venue in an old barn that serves meals and is also used for weddings. It's for sale if anyone is interested....Read more

  • C-TravelerTravelerFamily Reunion and Mackinac Is
    Breakfast at SS Roadhouse Bar and Grill with some of our friends and family.

    Bloomer Day 2

    June 28 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Joined some family and friends for breakfast at the SS Roadhouse Bar and Grill. Otherwise spent the day relaxing at our friend's home. Rosanne did go shopping with Kelly as her and her husband, Chris, have a block party tomorrow, while we have the family reunion. Yesterday I was able to get reservations for a slip at Mackinac Island on July 1st and 2nd. Still hoping I can snag one of the non-reservable slips on the 3rd through the 7th. Also, for later in July, I now have reservations for Peninsula State Park on July 21st and 28th, along with tickets for Northern Sky Theatre to see No Bones About It and Something In The Water. Both these marinas and campgrounds are busy and tough to get reservations at and many times luck happens as dates get closer and cancellations appear. I'll start another blog later in July for the Door County trip.Read more

  • C-TravelerTravelerFamily Reunion and Mackinac Is
    Catholic Church teaching on Migration

    Schwab Family Reunion, Bloomer, WI

    June 29 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    Today was Rosanne's Schwab family reunion. Her uncle, retired priest Father Frank Ruff, officiated and gave the homily at the family Mass. Always a pleasure to listen to Father Frank. 45 family members were present for the Mass, potluck and reunion. And the rains never showed up. After the reunion, we returned to our friends home and joined in on the block party. (Sorry, no photos of the block party.) I recorded Father Frank's earlier remarks leading into the Mass, along with his homily. Recorded on my iPhone from a short distance away, so I'll apologize for the poor audio. Just turn up your volume and listen carefully. (If you are interested.) Since both clips are more than 20 minutes long, I'll have to upload them to my You Tube Channel. Here are the links. First one is of the first part of the family Mass and Father Frank offering his thoughts on Church Unity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F7BhOaRCeU
    The second one of Father Frank's homily:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-eIeauAjOM    Read more

  • C-TravelerTravelerFamily Reunion and Mackinac Is
    Entering Mackinac Island Inlet
    Great Lakes freighter passing through the Mackinac Island Inlet.Mackinac Island Grand Hotel.Mackinac Island downtownMackinac Island downtownC-Traveler in slip 65

    St. Ignace and Mackinac Island

    June 30 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Got an early start out of Bloomer this morning and enjoyed a scenic drive up to St. Ignace. Several smaller back roads across northern Wisconsin and then into Escanaba, Michigan, where we picked up the usual routing to St. Ignace. Sadly, drove past emergency crews working an overturned semi on Hwy 8 near Tomahawk. Got to the boat launch around 4:30 local. Prepped the boat, launched and then headed over to Mackinac Island State Harbor. They did find a slip for us, after trying to assign us several different ones, that they would finally figure out were already reserved or had boats in them. This isn't the slip we have reserved tomorrow, so we'll likely have to move .the morning, but at least we have something here tonight. Got settled in, and then went to supper. Didn't get any pictures launching at St. Ignace, but did take a few coming into MackinacRead more

  • C-TravelerTravelerFamily Reunion and Mackinac Is
    The old Mission Church
    Rosanne riding her bike around the island. This is on the east side near Mission Point.View of the Mighty Mac. Winds were out of the west at around 15 mph, so there were white caps.British Landing Nature Center.Arnold Transit barge bringing in some dumptrucks with sandArnold Transit barge bringing in some dumptrucks with sandForklift with cement block used for balancing weight on the front of the barge.Barge leaving with the now empty dump trucks.Only horses and bikes (or walking) are used for transportation on the island!Only horses and bikes (or walking) are used for transportation on the island!The red line is our bike ride around the island, in a counterclockwise direction.Making fudge.Making fudge.Talking with the fudge master.Looks kind of gross. Pile of peanut butter waiting to be mixed into the fudge.Mixing the peanut butter in to the fudge.Making fudge.Yeehaw! View from inside C-Traveler during some of the rocking and rolling going on in the harbor.

    Mackinac Island July 1

    July 1 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 66 °F

    Nice sunny day out, a bit breezy. After some more confusion on slips, we were able to move over to slip 66, which is our slip through at least Thursday night now. Originally I was able to get reservations for July 1 and 2, and last night, July 3 opened up. We are on the list now to extend into July 4-7, so keeping our fingers crossed that we can stay here for fireworks. Rosanne went to Mass this morning and said there were about 60-70 folks there. So a very active Catholic community, most likely many visiting tourists. This afternoon we rode our bikes around the island, an 8 mile loop. One of Arnold Transit’s smaller barges came into British Landing with two dump trucks bringing in sand for construction. The barge dock/ramp isn’t very level with the barge, and I noticed they used a forklift with a heavy cement block on it to help bring the barge bow down so the trucks could get back on the barge after dumping their load. (They could use heavier weight, as the barge was still about 12” higher than the ramp…) The state harbor (marina) here is pretty lumpy during the day with the ferries hauling into here. Been that way forever, and boaters still complain about it…but things calm down at night when the ferries stop. Best to tie boats up with several dock lines, use plenty of fenders and use the extra posts between slips to tie in such a way to keep the boats from hitting the docks while bouncing around. Before supper we walked around watching the fudge makers and sampling fudge. Also did some shopping finding Rosanne a nice dress and a couple barrettes. (Shhh, don’t tell her, they’re presents for later. Lol) Then after supper we had to go back out for some ice cream. Mackinac Island is well known for its ice cream and fudge!Read more

  • C-TravelerTravelerFamily Reunion and Mackinac Is
    Cruise Ship Victory I
    Three Arnold Transit ferries heading out.C-Traveler securely tied up in slip 66.Photogenic SeaGull!You can see where the delamination was just below the number 700Very busy downtown today. Many bikes, walkers and horse carriages!Battlefield of 1814.Equestrian CenterSome relics inside the Equestrian CenterSome relics inside the Equestrian CenterSome of the horses at the Equestrian CenterSleigh in front of the Equestrian CenterMackinac Island Airport.Museum inside the Grand Hotel Carriage House.This carriage has carried five U.S. presidents.Grand Hotel Carriage House tack room.Grand Hotel flower garden.My bike ride today on Mackinac Island.Mama and her babies swimming by.Making more fudge

    Mackinac Island July 2

    July 2 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Another sunny and breezy day. Woke up this morning to see the cruise ship Victory I on the main ferry dock. With the cruise ship in port, the town had many more folks milling about. Rosanne attended Mass again at the Catholic Church here, but said there were only around 20 folks attending this morning. While she went to Mass, I walked over to Doud’s Market to buy a few groceries and get some Dramamine. The rocking and rolling here in the harbor hasn’t set well with Rosanne… After lunch we went for another bike ride. First I had to get Rosanne’s bike a new back tire. We found the tire flat and closer inspection revealed that the tire itself had delaminated in one spot. Fortunately it didn’t happen while riding around the island. And fortunately, one of the bike rental shops also has a small bike repair section and had a new tire in the right size available. After I replaced the tire and installed a new tube, we started our ride today clockwise around the island. I wanted to see the Island’s Equestrian Center, so turned off at British Landing Road. Since it’s uphill for several miles, Rosanne chose to return back the way we came, while I continued on. I had not been to the Equestrian Center before. It’s mostly a 4-H operation and also provides horseback riding lessons. However it’s open to the public for tours or to walk around and visit the horses. After walking around a bit, I proceeded on and stopped at the Grand Hotel Carriage stables. I’ve been there before, but always interesting to visit. Looked around a bit then headed back down hill, past the Grand Hotel, and on into downtown and back to the marina. A few things I’d like to share. Mackinac Island is really a cool place to visit. Also nice to just relax on the boat and watch folks and the horses go by. Enjoyable to bike the 8 mile loop around the circumference of the Island, as it’s mostly flat and level. You can turn onto inland roads that go past the airport and stables and such. Also the back side of Fort Mackinac. There are several interesting cemeteries to visit and pay your respects. Some history on the Battlefield of 1814 where we tried to capture Mackinac back from the British. Fort Mac has a lot of interesting history if you desire to visit it. The Butterfly Museum is fun and if you desire you can rent your own horse to ride, or even drive your own carriage. We’ve visited or done all these things in the past. So now we mostly come to just relax and ride our bikes. We’ve yet to see the inside of the Grand Hotel, but don’t care to dress up and pay the cost to tour or stay there. Plenty of shopping available and famous for its fudge. And of course Ice Cream…Read more

  • C-TravelerTravelerFamily Reunion and Mackinac Is
    Pearl Mist
    Cadillac1800hp with the three 600hp outboardsMarina's outer dock.Fort Mackinac on the bluff above the marinaSt. Annes Catholic ChurchMergansers. Mom has three chicks on her back.Not sure if this is a lodge or what. Never see anybody there, other than workers now and then.This is in front of that last "lodge". Looks like what was once a dock.Nice house on the west side of the Island.Rosanne and I in front of Devils Kitchen.Our ride around the island today.Well, they have their music back up again.... 10:10pmRosanne and I in front of Mackinac Inn.

    Mackinac Island July 3

    July 3 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Got some rain last night. I had the bimini top up, but not the window piece that goes between it and the cabin roof. So while Rosanne got up to close our v-berth hatch and windows, I went out to put the window piece in quickly. All just in time to have the brief shower pass over and end… Today was another beautiful day. The cruise ship in yesterday departed last evening, and we woke up this morning to another one in its place. Warm and sunny and not quite as breezy. Rosanne attended Mass again at St. Annes Catholic church here, and said today there were only about a dozen in attendance. After lunch we took another bike ride around the Island. I took a few photos of a couple homes along the perimeter road. There are a lot of very nice, big, homes here. But there are also some smaller homes in neighborhoods away from the shore. Came back to drop the bikes off near the boat, then walked back into the main down town area to sample and buy some fudge, and then get some ice cream! We had planned to watch a movie in the Mission Point theater, and thought it would be “Somewhere in Time”, showing at 5pm for 90 minutes. Then I thought there would be music in the park at 6:30. While in town we stopped at an information booth, and found out the music in the park doesn’t start back up for two more weeks. Ok, we’ll just do the movie…. Got to the theater and found the movie to be more of a documentary on the Island, titled, “Mackinac, Our Famous Island”. Only 60 minutes. And then after that several previews played, and then the movie “This Time for Keeps” started. We watched a few minutes and then left to fix our supper. I found the Mackinac Island Arts website, and now know the movies and times…. But they only play on Wednesdays and Thursdays… Walking on the outer dock today, I saw one boat that had three, 600hp outboards on it. And then later today we had one with four, 400hp outboards pull into the slip next to us. Unfortunately, I’ve already had to ask the one slipped next to us to turn their music down a few decibles! (Fortunately, they complied without a fuss.)
    We did stop and get a picture of Rosanne and I by Devil’s Kitchen. Devil’s Kitchen, a group of small sea caves, is one of the youngest rock formations on Mackinac Island. This large mass of brecciated limestone was formed about 350 million years ago. Wave action of the last few centuries eroded the softer parts of the limestone creating the smooth bottom surfaces.
    We also stopped and got a picture in front of the pony statue at Mackinac Inn. There is a story behind that. During our first trip here, Rosanne and I stayed at that hotel. And we took our picture in front of that pony. Now, most every time we come here, we take another picture in front of it.    Read more

  • C-TravelerTravelerFamily Reunion and Mackinac Is
    Mackinac Island Rescue Boat. Just saw him go out a few minutes ago. Probably to monitor fireworks
    Tied up in slip 2. Watercolor Cafe on the other side of slip 1 from us.Why does anybody need 5 outboards hanging off the back of their boat?Quite a few kites have been flying off the beach the last couple of days.This kite appears to be the largest and highest.Rosanne riding her bike on the Mackinac Island highway. (No cars allowed.)Just proof of my ride around the island. I forgot to stop my tracker until later. Avg speed is 7mph.This is when it's smooth in the harbor. Rougher about every 5 - 10 mins. It is calm at night.

    Mackinac Island, July 4

    July 4 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Another very nice day. Sunny, warm, and a stiff breeze out of the southeast. Temps for these nice days have been in the mid 70’s. Checked in with the harbor master this morning, and he was able to find us a slip (our reservations ended this morning). We moved over to slip 2, which is also shoreside, and next to the Watercolor Café. Rosanne attended Mass again this morning and said about 25 others in attendance. Rosanne read some good reviews about Watercolor Café, so we decided to buy lunch there today. It was pretty good. Then this afternoon we headed out for another bike ride around the Island. Rosanne decided 4 miles was going to be enough for her, so she turned around after about 2 miles. I continued around the island. A little more challenging as I chose to go clockwise, which put me into the wind once I reached the east side of the island. Rosanne made supper and afterwards we walked into downtown for some fudge tasting and ice cream. Yes, we do a lot of that here. Lol. Fireworks at 10pm this evening, so just hanging out and waiting for that now. Pictures tomorrow, hopefully. We may or may not, decide to leave here tomorrow and go to one of three other marinas. Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, or Cheboygan County. Some friends of ours (John and Eileen on Cat-O-Mine), that are doing parts of the Great Loop, are currently in Cheboygan for the weekend. We plan to head home Monday, and they plan to leave Cheboygan Monday, possibly going to St. Ignace or here, Mackinac Island. So we are hoping to meet up somewhere before we leave. Also, the rocking and rolling here in the Mackinac Island Harbor is getting old. It snapped one of my dock lines today. Another observation. While staying in marina’s is nice for the amenities, and sometimes socializing with other boaters, I sure wish some folks would respect the quiet! Another disrespectful boater with his music and base beat turned up… Some marinas are good at enforcing their quiet rules, but once the office is closed…Read more

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