Monday - Tuesday June 24 -25, 2013 ----- 34 miles / 580 total miles

The dawn of another picture perfect day!  Of course Garry was the only one who actually saw the sun and the Super Moon at the same time.  We set off for Marquette at 8 a.m. and enjoyed smooth water and sunshine all the way. 

We arrived  at Marquette at 1 p.m. for a pump out before heading to our assigned dock.  "Newbies" again!  But this time they were properly trained and supervised, so everything went well!  This is the first marina along our way that has been nearly full.  The second marina in the area, Presque Isle Harbor, has been closed for updating, making this the only game in town.  With limited space, Waterford was assigned a space on the wall next to the marina office/showers/laundry (good) and the small boat launch ramp (not so good).  Getting into this spot was a bit of a challenge, but Captain Garry spun her around and laid her gently against the wall ........




Talk about a tight fit!

 Day Dreams was on the outer wall several slips away to our starboard (that would be to our right for you non-boaters).  The marina is adjacent to a lovely park that was alive with bikers, roller bladers and picnic- ers (is that a word?).   After we were all settled, we headed up town, just a short walk away.  Our target was Getz's clothing store, three stories of everything from foo foo formal wear to hiking/biking all weather gear.  No one escaped without a bag ........

Fashion show.......






Garry had the find of the day in this, over-the-hat mosquito net.  Looks kind of dorky, but essential for hiking in the woods up here.  The size of the mosquitoes has not been exaggerated!





Groceries and hardware (you know we have to hit every one) were more than a walk away from the marina, so we called a cab.  He dropped the gals at the grocery and took the guys on out to Walmart/Lowes/Menards.  Our shopping chores accomplished, we were back at the dock for cocktails and dinner.

TUESDAY

We did laundry in the morning and then got the bikes down for an afternoon ride.  As we were about to leave, Alizann, a 48 foot Krogen North Sea was just pulling in.  We had "met" Marty and Suzanne over the radio when we were anchored.  They had been anchored on the other side of Grand Island and saw our two boats as they were out hiking.  They got all settled in and joined us on our bike ride to Presque Isle.  There are bike trails all around Marquette and this one takes us along the lake for some breathtaking views.
                                                                                                                                                 


Presque Isle Harbor entrance

                                                                                           


Lake Superior from Presque Isle Park



The Krogen Bike Team




OK we made it to the top, now it's time to go back down.  Bikes share the road/trail with cars through the park, so it was kind of like biking through downtown Chicago!  It seems when the weather is great, everyone in Marquette plays hooky and heads for the park.





Marquette is the home of Northern Michigan University, so on the way back we made a stop at the Superior Dome --- an all wood sports complex big enough to house a football field.



The "Yooper" dome

While Doug and Jan took a side trip through campus to update friends who went to school here, the rest of us made our way back.  Waterford hosted the "docktail" party as we pored over the Lake Superior map trading info on places to see along the way. Then Marty and Suzanne graciously gave us a tour of their beautiful Krogen 48.  What a great boat! 

It was nearly 10 by the time we finished the tour.  Marty and Suzanne went up town for dinner while we grilled some fresh lake trout that Jan and I had purchased that morning ---- delicious.

Though we had just met, it felt like the 6 of us had known each other forever.  One of the best parts of being on the water is meeting "kindred spirits" who become fast friends.  We're looking forward to seeing Alizann at another port later in our travels.