Final Apple Harvest

It was a rough year for our apples.  The extreme cold temperatures this winter resulted in many trees without blossoms.  We lost all of our peaches, apricots, and plums.  Spencer is busy making an apple pie from our late pickings.

Slow Ride to Lexington

We had a tough day at sea today.  It took us 5 1/2 hours to travel 67 nm against head seas.  The forecast was very wrong as we experienced 20 to 30 kt headwinds which developed 5 to 7 foot seas (and bigger).  The ship and most of the crew did well in these sporty conditions.

Today was a crew change.

Fishing in Hessel

Been in Hessel the last two days fishing.  Hessel is in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  It is remote and great for star gazing.  Also no Internet or time to post to blog.....

S.O.Bum Crew Shipped Off to Florida

After being evicted from the Mothership, Bumboat, half the SOB crew said "screw it" and decided to fly south to Florida. ENJOY THE STURGEON, ROVISYS CREW. WE'LL BE SWIMMING WITH MANETEES. 

LOVE YOU DAD!!

-Olivia and Victoria 

Northport

The weather cleared, but the wind was still blowing 20 knots from the northwest.  Our plan was to go to Washington Island in Wisconsin.  After we cleared the Leelanau Peninsula we saw the full force of the winds and waves on Lake Michigan.  A 4+ hour trip into 4 to 6 foot head seas didn't sound fun, so we reversed course and headed to Northport.

After lunch we headed out on what would turn out to be a 10 mile hike through the cherry orchards and over to Lake Michigan.  Bryan did the hike in his deck shoes which almost turned his toes into cherries.  His entertainment streak ended tonight after being upstaged by a 90 year old pianist who attracted all of the golden agers and left Bryan humming Frank Sinatra tunes.

Pancakes before heading to sea

Overlooking Grand Traverse Bay

Our 10 mile cherry hike

Northport Harbor

Holed Up in Traverse City

The strategy of coming to Traverse City to sit out the weather was solid.  Today we had non-stop rain from last night until the afternoon.  The wind was howling to 30 knots and the seas were forecast to be large.  The other good news is the marina had a great lounge which allowed the crew to relax in luxurious conditions, rather than tripping over each other on the Bumboat.

We had a great meal at an Asian restaurant (Red Ginger) where we could only get five seats at the bar.  Tom, who screwed up the reservation, had to eat standing up to the rear of us.  He finally got a seat after we bought dessert for our adjacent seat mates.  Of course, the night wouldn't be right if Bryan didn't entertain us.... so, he took advantage of open mike night.

Bryan's poncho was below specifications for heavy rain

Our ship bounced about at the dock

Crew refuge during storm

Evening entertainment by Dave "Bryan" Mathews

Rock star worked the crowd

Traverse City

The weather forecast was poor; rain, wind, and big waves (10 feet) the next few days.  We changed our plans from being in Frankfort to hike Sleeping Bear Dunes to the cover of Grand Traverse Bay.  Our run from Beaver Island to Traverse City was in 2 foot waves and showers.  Traverse Bay was also a good choice for a crew change.

We had dinner at a local microbrewery and the food and beer was marginal.  Moving on to a local pub, we experienced two pitchers of horrid beer (JWH selections).  The night quickly changed when Bryan, our software nerd, did a bit of coding on his phone and began wireless controlling the jukebox.  The girls swarmed him with requests for their songs and to purge other patrons songs from the queue.  Bryan was less enthused with his new football friend (2000 NFL draft) who wasn't amused by his jukebox antics.

Leg 1 crew did an excellent job cleaning ship before departure

Leg 1 and Leg 2 crew exchange

Leg 2 crew settling into life aboard

Our new Pro Football friend

Bryan's Juke Box Junkies