Marquette to Minising MI

Day 21, August 20

Marquette Waterfront

We got underway from Marquette at 7:00 this morning because we had another 40 mile day ahead of us to reach Munising.  The wind was from the west and we started our trip with a nice breeze at our back and few waves.  They were calling for winds of 5 to 15 knots from the west and the waves to be from 1 to 3 feet.  It appeared that it would be a great ride down wind.  It turned out to be quite rolly as we moved offshore.  Our track took us about 5 or 6 miles off of the coast for the first 18 miles.  We started with the motor then added the Genoa jib.  We moved along at about 6 mph.

Somewhere around the 15 mile mark, the wind shifted to a more southerly direction which allowed us to raise the mainsail and cruise along on a broad reach.  We began the sailing portion of the trip traveling at between 4 and 5 mph.  With the sails up and the lower speed, the boat calmed down somewhat but still frequently pitched from side to side and large left over waves from yesterday bit us in the port quarter. 

By about noon time, the wind began to die and our speed continually dropped until we were traveling about 2mph and our eta went from around 2:00 to around 5.  So, I started the motor and we motored the remaining miles.  With the falling wind, the waves also calmed down to the point that we rocked very little- a much more pleasant way to travel.

Bayshore Marina, Munising MI

As we approached the town of Munising, we called the Bayshore Marina but got no response.  This is a busy place with 4 or 5 tour boats hauling tourists out to view Pictured Rock National Sea Shore or take them in glass bottom boats to see sunken vessels.  As we pulled up to the dock, the wind began to blow hard, making the landing quite difficult.  Luckily, there were no spectators sitting at the bar evaluating the landing.  The dock mistress told us that we could stay there for 2 hours free and it would be $5.00 after that. 

We battened down the boat and strolled into the town.  It is obvious that the main attraction is the tour business.  There were a number of souvenir shops and kayak outfitters.  We saw about 6 or 7 restaurants and several bars.  We found a flower shop that sold frozen yogurt so we both had a cup full.  It was a really neat place. 

Back at the boat, we untied from the dock and motored to the back corner near where the dock juts out from the shore to get a few gallons of gasoline.  Again, with the wind, my landing wasn’t stellar, but no one was hurt and there was no damage.  These docks at this place are really high.  We have seen this phenomenon at marinas all along the way.  All of the small boat owners complain bitterly and have done so through official channels but to no avail.  It is hard to protect your boat from the pilings that they use to build these things and in several places, our boat could slip under the dock between the pilings.

Dink ready for sleep in Murray Bay

Munising is an extremely well protected harbor.  It is tucked deep in a narrow bay, South Bay, the mouth of which is blocked by a huge island, Grand Island.  At the lower end of Grand Island, Murray Bay provides a very well protected anchorage  where we chose to spend the night.  This is a really beautiful area.  We were all but by ourselves as we dropped anchor in the east end not far from a sunken ship.  The forecast is for west winds shifting to southerly after midnight so we should have a very peaceful night.  We grilled out and enjoyed a glass of wine.  A truly pleasant way to end our day.

Sunset over Murray Bay of Grand Island