Leland to Washington Island 8/15/17

Left Leland; winds were coming from the North. A little hiccup when we first left.... John forgot the dinghy was tied to the bow area. After he put the headsail up and we had more wind power; the bottom of the dinghy was standing straight upside. He pulled the bottom up and then had a heck of a time bringing the dinghy to the stern. I had to hold his legs while he bailed the boat; this was after some  fishermen yelled at him; distracting him; and causing an oar to get bent. OMG!!?

The wind changed then came from the west; forecast; was that it was supposed to come frome the east. Turned into a 10 hr sail..... but the 2nd half of the sail was great; plenty of time to reflect and just think!!

 

Spent 2 days in Leland, MI

Arrived in Leland on Sunday after a roller coaster of a sail from Charlevoix. The weather predictions this cruising season have not been very accurate to say the least. So far this trip we have lost an anchor and have torn a head sail.  Vacation was going to be three weeks to include the North Channel in Canada; but due to losing a week following the death of Momma K; we changed the itinerary to Lake MI, in the USA. 

Leland is a cute little town off Lake MI that they call Fishtown. A lot of fishing boats here; they line up along a wall by the dam and the waterfall near the Cove restaurant. There are some cute old Shanty houses that are now rented out to tourists. Carlson Fishery has been in the same family for many years here in Leland; they have a smoking house to smoke the fish and they have a storefront that sells fresh fish and smoked fish along with other smoked meats. John and I saw them taking a huge hanging tray of smoked fish out of smoker and bringing it into the back of the store. I love the smell in the air over here; a combination of fresh air and smoked fish. 

The dogs seem to love it here too! A lot of walking and they just seem to be so content. The shops here in town sell locally made items from some talented artists. Tonight after perusing the shops we at dinner at the Cove/ Ricks cafe located by the waterfall at the Dam by Leland River/lake which falls into Lake MI. It was pretty  cute with the fishing boats lined up along the walls. We will head out in the morning on my Birthday for a long sail across Lake Michigan to Detroit Harbor on Washington Island. 

Bike riding and walking around Charlevoix, MI

Had a wonderful day biking and walking around Charlevoix today. We also took a tour of the mushroom houses designed and built by a unique self taught architect who was born and raised in Charlevoix. Earl Young had a interest in stones and rocks; collecting them early age; and later incorporating the stones into his architecture. Starting in 1919 and continuing into the 1970's. Over a 50 year period he built 26 residential houses and 4 commercial properties using indigenous materials. Made mostly of stone using limestone, fieldstone, and boulders that he found in Northern MI each was designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape. The buildings people call mushroom houses look like gnome homes or hobbit houses.