Thursday, May 12, 2016

Back to Michigan x2!

2-19-2016

 I finally got a chance to sit down and catch up on our blog. Where to begin. It  has been a very busy month with two more trips to ski in Michigan. So far this ski season we have managed to ski 8 1/2 days, 6 of which were down hill. I only counted our trip to Michigan in November as a 1/2 because we only got to ski about 3 hours before the snow got too soft. I don't think I will get anywhere close to last years 19 days but considering how much driving we have had to do this season I will take all that I can get.
 Three weeks ago we started planning a trip to Bittersweet in Otsego MI. I had puppy care and mom care arranged, just needed the weather to hold out. Well, it didn't. By Wednesday of that week it was clear that they were going to get rain and be warm for the days we would be there. Well crap. So I canceled the trip about noon. About 6 that evening I got a text from Captain Scott who was going to go up to their cabin on Bear Lake MI to check on things. He invited us to come up and crash with him and then go ski at Crystal Mountain. At first I did not think we could since I had just cancelled everything but after thinking about it for about a minute, I made some frantic calls and was able to un cancel our puppy sitter! We were going to Michigan!
 I had everything loaded up Friday morning and dropped my lil Lady off at work then went to work myself. I had to fly but was able to get back to still pick Cindy up as soon as she released the buses. Off to Michigan we went. Bear Lake was about 3 hours further north than Bittersweet so they were not forecasted to get above freezing and no rain. the drive up went well and we rolled in to Scotts Cabin about 10:30 or so. We stayed up and talked till almost one before we all crashed.
 Up early the next morning not wanting to let a minute of our time in snow country go to waste I headed over to the local restaurant and brought breakfast back for everyone. With full tummies Cindy and headed off to find Crystal Mountain. It was a short 20 min drive before we pulled into the parking lot that was already quite full. It had only been open about 10 mins so they must have a lot of snow lovers in the area. We wasted no time in getting suited up and ready to hit the slopes.
 We skied over to the closest lift and waited our turn. This was a new setup for us as there was a magic carpet that you slid down onto and then it took you to where the lift chair would pick you up. Luckily with two other couples in front of us we were able to watch them and see what to do. All went well but I did notice the chair was really low. Not thinking anything of that we proceeded up the hill. Well the low chair would wind up having the last laugh as when I stood up to ski away the low chair had sat down on top of the back of my ski boot. I leaned forward to take off but went no where, except down. AS I laid there on the ramp I could hear Cindy talking to me as she thought I was right beside her. I tried to roll out of the way fast enough to not have them shut the lift down but it was too late. The operator must have seen me go down and hit the stop button right away. He stuck his head out and asked if I was ok to which I had to stop laughing long enough to assure him I was.  Back on my skis I went in search of my playmate.
 We took a few runs to try and figure out the lay of the slopes. The snow was great and the runs were really nice. Crystal Mountain has 55 runs versus the 8 we are used to back home at Paoli so we worked on hitting them all. It took a little bit to figure out how to navigate around all the different lifts but we soon had the front side figured out about the time the back side opened up at 10. WE alternated back and forth between the front side and back side run the rest of the day. While it was busy it was by no means overly crowded. We were able to go from area to area and for the most part did not have to wait very long at all for a lift chair.
 While there were a lot of different runs to choose from the ones on the back side were not very long in length. That is just part of skiing in the Midwest. We both felt like skiing at home on the ice at Paoli was good practice as neither of us really had any issues skiing at Crystal Mountain.
 Cindy did take a nasty tumble on one run on the back side that while not extremely steep was very lumpy for lack of a better term. It almost seemed like it had not been groomed for a few days and was like skiing moguls at the top. I went down first and once I got out of the rough section I pulled over and stopped to wait on Cindy. I could not see the start due to some trees so I waited and waited. then I heard someone ask if they were ok. I heard Cindy reply yes. Not good. She finally made it down to me and had snow packed in the vent sin her helmet it was sitting lop sided on her head. Never a good sign. She said she took a hard hit and from the looks of things she did. Cindy wanted to take a break which was probably a good idea but by the time we got back up the lift she was ready to try it again. Really should have taken that break.
 We really enjoyed the Cut Off run as it was a pretty run down through the trees on the front side. It was not extremely difficult other than it was very narrow. It was probably the tightest run we had been on to date. We both did fine our first time down which looked like this when thing go as they should.

 Well our next trip down that run Cindy took a pretty good spill. She was fine but left a pretty good divot in the snow. The next pass down she made the mistake of pointing out where she wiped out at on the previous run. This is what happened.

 I got laughing so hard I feel over backwards! Sadly I turned the camera off while I helped put Cindy back together again. I took a gnarly spill at the bottom when to avoid another skier I turned right with out enough room and my right ski shot up the hill towards the trees. I had no idea my leg would go up over my head, but now I do. It was one heck of a wipe out!
 We continued on even though I think both of our legs were starting to wear out. Seemed the spills were coming with a bit more frequency than they did earlier in the day. Cindy had a head ache, still suffering from her first spill on the back side. Here is a collection of a few spills we took.

 As we are still laughing it is all good. I wonder if matters if the person laughing is not the person on the ground? As long as one of is laughing it's all good LOL!
 After that last spill it was time to head to the bar. We headed back to Bear Lake after having a refreshing beverage in the bar. It had been a great day with almost non stop skiing. Other than a break for a coke and cookie we were on the slopes.
 We enjoyed a nice dinner in Bear Lake with Scott before going over and playing cards with afriend of theirs. I am proud to say that Cindy and I are now the Winter 2016 Bear Lake Euchre champs! Still waiting on those t shirts to get here.
 I  don't think either one of us moved during the night, either from being too sore or very tired, either way I slept like a rock. After saying good by and thank you to Scott we headed north to Empire MI where were will be returning to this July to get married! We wanted to get in a early wedding practice. After a short 30 min drive we arrived at the parking are for

  It will look a bit different when we return in July, as in no snow! We brought our snow shoes in case we needed them but there had already been people walking the trail so it was packed down nicely. Our snow boots would be all we would need. We came to the first overlook and had to stop and take a few pics, like we always do when we stop here. Here is the view of Empire beach with Southbar lake to the right and Sleeping Bear Dunes in the background.


 Of course it was a prime spot for a selfie


 Cindy is so photogenic. Never seen a camera that doesn't love her. Funny thing, Cindy commented that she did not think they had much snow. Well this bench is buried so I would say they had 20" of packed snow right there.


 I would kill to have 20" of packed snow at home! We continued on the path and soon we were at the overlook where we will hopefully be married this July, weather permitting.


 Here is Cindy braving the wind as she looks for the benches. they have to be around there somewhere. Thy were buried as she was standing over them on the snow! Here is the view from our wedding spot.


 It is much prettier in the summer when the sun is setting. We walked back to the car talking about how the next time we walk back to the car it will be as husband and wife!
 It was time to head home so we pointed Pearl south and headed for home. Like every trip we have ever taken to Michigan, the worst part is leaving. Luckily we would be back the next weekend!

Michigan trip #2

 The week between our trips flew by and before we knew it the time to pack had arrived again! Once again I dropped Cindy off at school and went to work only to return a few hours later to pick up my lil Lady and head north!
 We were heading back up to the Higgins Lake area to cross country ski. We had hoped to finally get our good friends Bill and Libby on the snow and to XC Ski Headquarters as they have not been either this season but due to weather they were not able to make it. So we soldiered on without them. This drive was a bit more time consuming than our last trip up due to bands of lake effect snow that came and went. We made one stop for fuel in Fort Wayne and made it the rest of the way nonstop. I had given Cindy her Valentines day gift early so she was being entertained by movies on her new Fire tablet. The drive wasn't bad till the last 10 miles or so when we ran into snow covered roads and blowing snow. Even then it wasn't bad till some impatient arse had to pass everyone it the left lane. It left us with zero visibility. Luckily I had given the car in front of us plenty of room as I had no idea where he was for probably 15- 20 seconds.
 We rolled in to Higgins Lake with 20 miles range left on the gas gauge and 15 mins left to get a pizza at the Streamside restaurant. I called to place a order to go only to learn they had closed early that night. ARGH!!! They told me they stayed open till 11 when I called earlier. Must have been a slow night. We were not starving so we just decided to wait till breakfast.
 Jim left our key in the room and had the heat on for us when we arrived at the North Winds Lodge. The wind was still howling and it was cold out so I made quick work of unloading Pearl and shutting the door to our room. Cindy turned the tv to HGTV which is where it pretty much stayed the whole weekend. We went to sleep watching house flippers.
 I woke up early the next morning and ventured out to get gas and pastries for breakfast the next day.I could tell by the sharpness of the air that it was cold but fortunately the wind had laid down. The thermometer in Pearly said it was -15. I won't lie, it was cold, but there was no wind and the sun was out. This was going to be a great day to xc ski!
 Back in the room I broke the news to Cindy who shivered and said BRRRRRRRRR! I told her not to worry as I had a game plan change. We would go say hi to Donnie and do some shopping at XC Ski Headquarters, then go do the breakfast buffet at Fred's Place, then go ski at North Higgins lake state park after it warmed up a bit. She was good with that so off we went.
 My legs were cold by the time I walked from the car to the front door of ski headquarters. After saying hi to Donnie the wonder dog, I went in search of real xc ski pants as I was basically wearing warm weather running pants. I found some that fit and along with new sock liners I was ready to brave the cold. Cindy found a few items and we were on our way to Fred's.
 Breakfast at Fred's was awesome! The French toast was to die for and the hash browns must have been fried in bacon grease they were soooooo gooood!!!! Yes, we ate like pigs, but we were going to work it off skiing. At least that was our logic. After waddling to the car we headed off in search of the park.
 We arrived at what we thought was the spot but it turned out to be the Higgins lake winter festival. Once we found out we were on the wrong side of the road we put our skis back in the Skybox and took a quick look around. It had not started yet but they sure had a beautiful day for it. They were going to have snowmobile drag races, broom ball, ice skating, and a ice fishing tourney. There was a chili cook off at the conference center as well.
 After a short drive across the road we were at the trail head for their ski trails. We geared up and headed out into the woods. XC skiing is much different than downhill in that you actually burn calories xc skiing. As you burn calories you generate heat. While you may start off all bundled up you have to remove the layers as you heat up to keep your sweating under control. If you don't you will wind up drenched in sweat and then freeze when you stop. It was not too long into the trail that I was skiing in in just my sweater and base layer. It was up to a balmy 3 degrees at this point but the sun was overhead and there was no wind. It was really nice skiing. We had a note on our car when we go back that said "Please don't walk in the ski trails". Lets see, we had a skybox on the roof, ski tracks all around our car leading off to the trails. What part of that made her think we were walking on the trails???
 From Higgins Lake we headed east to find the trail head for the Mason Tract trail. I have read about it for about 5 years now and Jay has skied it several times. I have been wanting to ski it for quite a while but it just never worked out. Well today it was going to. The wait was worth it as it was a very pretty trail. Probably not the best skiing conditions as there was not as much fresh snow on the trail and someone in snow shoes had walked on the ski track but the beauty of the trail made up for it. I referred to it being a very intimate trail in that it was a single track trail and the pines and cedars gave it a warm cozy feeling. Even though it goes along side the Ausable river you only catch glimpses of it due to the thick pines and cedars. It felt like skiing in a natural Christmas tree farm.


Here is Cindy on the trail just before she disappeared into the pines. We skied up the trail from the south till we got to high spot where the wind was now blowing. Between the wind and the fact that it was getting late in to the afternoon we turned around and skied back at this point. We stopped along the way to go down and check out the river.


 The Ausable river is known for its great trout fishing and it looked PRIME! With its shallow waters and rock bottom I could just imagine hooking into a rainbow or large brown. We will definitely have to venture back up this way in the summer with fly rod in hand!!!
 We headed back to the room to change and get ready for dinner, again at Fred's Place. It is really the only place to eat in Roscommon. Luckily it is really good. But before we could eat we had one more place to ski!
 We skied at Hartwick Pines State park the last time we were up here and noticed they had lanterns for night skiing. Well, as luck would have it, tonight was the night for it! So off we went back to the northeast to ski the lantern trail. The moon was out when we got there and between the moon and the lanterns we did not even need to turn on our LED headlights. It was very pretty but hard to capture in a photo


 The lanterns were placed about every 100 yards  and the moon was casting enough of a shadow that we could see just fine, even in the woods. It was very pretty. There is just something magical about being in a snowy woods during the night. I remember a cold but magical night in the UP where we were out skiing on dark trail and came upon a pine grove where the trail was being lit up by a bunch of tiny tea lights. As Cindy stood there with most surprised look I have ever seen her have on her face, I drooped to one knee and asked her to marry me that night as the wind howled through the trees tops above us. Hard to believe that was over a year ago now.
 Cindy was getting cold by the time we finished our first lap of the lantern trail so we packed away our gear and headed back to Fred's for our Valentine's day dinner. TO say that it was packed was an understatement. I think all 450 residents of the town were there. Lucky thing I made reservations.
 We finally got our table and were informed that they had a pipe freeze under the building and they were having to use plastic silverware and plates. Pretty cold when pipes freeze in MI as they are supposed to be used to the cold up there. Dinner, like breakfast, was really good and we waddled out of there one more time.
 So far the worst part of every trip to MI has been leaving and once again this held true. We ran out of the snow cover about 45 minutes south of Roscommon and drove in brown till about Fort Wayne, IN. Cindy amused herself with movies on her fire but had to cover up to shield her screen from the sunlight.

 By the time we got close to Muncie IN the snow was coming down pretty good. We had slowed down to about the speed limit LOL but  few others did not see the need. I really wish I had video of the truck in front of us as he lost it and fought it as it slid across the road 5 times. Luckily there was enough room between him and us and the semi beside us that we were able to give him all the room he needed. We still don't know how he kept from collecting the guard rails on either side of the road but he finally got it slowed down and off to the side where he got it under control. He got in the right lane and drove 45 mph till we passed him. We gave him two thumbs up for the show but he had a death grip on the wheel and probably skiddies in his undies!!!
 The snow was stacking up and I knew it was just a matter of time before someone screwed the pouch and the interstate was shut down. This is Indiana. Sadly there are more idiots on the road than proficient drivers, it just happens. I got off as soon as I could which was south of Anderson and we came down county roads till we picked up HWY 9. It was a good thing too as Indy was a absolute mess with roads closed and wrecks everywhere. We had no problems on the county roads as it was not that bad.
 We made it home about 7 and prayed for a snow day, which Cindy got! I took off work about noon and were off to ski again! This time down hill back at Paoli for what was probably the best conditions we had there all season!
 Sadly that was to be the last ski of the season. It turned warm and the rain came. Our schedules did not have room for anymore trips up north even though they continued to ski right up to the scheduled closing dates. In fact, Nubs Knob closed with all the runs still open! Were going there next season!!!!
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

First sail of the 2016 season!!!

 May 11, 2016

 Finally, were back on the water!!!!! It was a long winter and a busy spring getting the boat all ready to launch. With our up coming honey moon sailing trip to the North Channel there was a lot we wanted to do to the boat and it seemed like it took me forever to get it done. But finally, we hooked up to her and returned her to her summer home.
 Of course no boating trip would be complete without a long list of things that went wrong. It just seems to go hand in hand with boating. This trip was no different although I am proud to say we survived, no one got hurt, and we had a great time.
 Well to start with I had to work, imagine that. So right from the start I was behind. I finally got home about noon and picked up the tow vehicle. As I was heading up the driveway in the 4Runner the second little issue arose, or should I say fell?



 This large limb fell out of a large oak tree literally right behind me as I drove up the drive. Had I been just a few seconds later the 4 Runner would have been hit for sure. I wasn't so upset that the limb fell as much as I was that I did not have time for this. Back in the house to change clothes and then get the chainsaw so I could cut it up. It was about 12" round at the base so there was no dragging this one off to the side. Luckily I have been down this road before so I keep a chainsaw ready at all times.
 Cindy pulled up the drive just as I was finishing up and was curious why I had the chainsaw out when I was originally getting the boat ready to go. Once she looked at her phone and saw the pic her questions were answered.
 We finished loading things up and no sooner than we had the last of the gear on board the rain started. Of course it would rain. This is Indiana and it is May, or Maysoon season as I like to refer to it. Rain or no rain, we were going to the lake.
 The drive over was trouble free other than more rain. We stopped to get gas at 446 and 50. The chicken sandwiches are still as tasty as they were last year. As we headed north on 446 the sky was looking pretty ominous. It cut loose about 5 miles south of the lake. For the next hour we had a steady to hard rain but no real wind so it was tolerable. Luckily Cindy found me a  Frog Togg's rain suit so I broke it out as soon as we got there. I started rigging the boat in the rain and had the mast ready to step as it tapered off. Cindy ran to the restroom just as I was ready for her help. With the new mast raising pole I made I was able to step the mast all by myself. I was just putting the front pin in the mast base when Cindy came walking back up. What took me so long to make that pole???
 We finished rigging the boat and installed our new sails. It wasn't long before we were ready to splash her in. The launch went smoothly and I picked Cindy up at the dock. As we motored out of the ramp area into the main lake Sailing Season 2016 had begun.
 Then the next issue arose. Really it wasn't so much an issue but just more of how it is when you sail in Indiana. The wind died! I did all this flipping work, 1500 bucks in new sails, rigging her in the rain, and the flipping wind just dies.... Such is life. It was good just to be back on the water so we just motored out to the southwest as we tidied things up and got used to the new motor.
 We were down in the narrows when Mike and Kathy texted us. We decided to head back to Moores Creek to see them but got detoured when the wind started to pick up. It didn't last long but it was awesome as the new sails fill with air and the boat accelerated under sail. We played as long as the wind allowed before meeting up with Analogue in the middle of the lake. Mike had already dropped sails as the wind died and storms were coming. We followed them into anchor and prepared for the rain.
 Once tied up to the Analogue's starboard side I raised the pop top and installed the pop top tent I spent more hours sewing on that than I ever imagined it would take me. In less than five minutes the tent top was all set and we settled into the cockpit to catch up with Mike and Kathy. I still don't know how it got to be 11 pm so quickly but we were tired and we could hear the next storm coming so we said our good byes before heading off to the next cove to anchor for the night.
 It was dark but there was a lot of ambient light so seeing was not too difficult. Once in the cove I went forward to drop the anchor. But this year I did not have to drag the anchor, chain, and rode with me as I finally built our own anchor locker in the bow and man is it sweet!

 It was just a simple matter of getting it out and throwing it over the rail. No more accident waiting to happen scampers to the bow just waiting on the anchor to crash down on the deck or my foot, or worrying about falling in the lake because I had my hands full. It was so much nicer and safer.
 Once the anchor was deployed I had Cindy put the new motor in reverse with a simple flip of the lever and back us off the anchor to get the rode out. Once we had enough rode out I asked her to put it in neutral, and I went to tie it off to the bow cleat. Funny thing, as I was tying off the line I noticed the boat was moving forward again. So I had Cindy back us off again. Back to neutral, tie off the line, and again the boat is moving forward. Repeat. Again the boat is moving forward. After a brief discussion of how neutral is in the middle and how reverse is "Up??" when the lever moves forward and back I gave up and went to the cockpit to show Cindy that she was going to far forward with the lever and putting it back in gear. Back to the bow, back it down one more time and then into neutral. This time we set there as I went aft to set the stern anchor. All was good and no one was hurt or swimming.
 By now the storm is almost on top of us as we got ready to go to sleep. We had planned on watching movies on the Fire in the new mount I made for it on the back of the new anchor locker,



 but due to miscommunication, or just plan lack of, it was still sitting on the coffee table at home. Oh well, Mother nature provided us with a great light show! The rain came and came, and it was still raining when I finally succumbed to sleep.
 I awoke to a familiar sound about 6 am, thunder. It was not long before the rain started again and after looking at the radar on my phone I could see it was there to stay for several hours I curled back up with my lady and went back to sleep. To say that we sleep well on the boat is probably a understatement as it was 10:30 when we finally came to life! It was still raining but not near as hard as it had been. The pop top tent got a good first test and we loved it. I did need to respray the top of it with water proofing spray as it finally started to bleed through a bit but it was not bad. I had concentrated most of the can on the seams and barely misted the top of it. I am sure there were a few puddles on top that finally soaked through.
 It was 45 degrees with a breeze out of the north east so it was a bit chilly on the boat. We stayed warm in the night but now that we were up we were both wishing we had a heater. I fired up the cook stove to make some coffee and tea and it took the chill off pretty quick. Here is the slick little collapsible tea pot I got for the boat

It worked great and collapses down to about a 1 inch tall. Pure genius to the person who come up with this one. I made us a quick breakfast of eggs and sausage as the cabin continued to warm up from the stove. Were currently looking at our options for some sort of heat as Cindy doesn't like to be cold. Who does? I doubt we are out in weather much colder than this but it would be much cozier if it was a tad warmer in the boat.
 We did not have long to enjoy the morning as it was Mother's day and they were having a get together for Cindy's mom that we needed to get to. It was misting and drizzling so I put the rain suit back on and went topside to motor us to our slip. Mike texted and said there was a surprise waiting on us when we got there as it seems the geese liked hanging out on the slips when there were no boat there. Great, goose poop.
 On the way back I snapped a pic of a simple solution for where to tie the topping lift off while sailing. I wanted it close at hand so I could reach it quickly and decided tied off to the aft stay was the best place. So I wrapped a small Gear Tie around the aft stay and made a loop in the end.
 I had marked the aft stay with a sharpie so I knew where the loop needed to be. It worked great! I would be lost without my Gear Ties!
 I also snapped a pic of the tent top that we left on hoping it would dry out a bit. Cindy was down below staying warm in the cabin as I braved the cold

  It did not turn out too bad considering I had no clue what I was doing. I wish I would have sewed the outside of the zipper first as it puckered a bit when I sewed the outside but it still works fine. I rolled up the screen so Cindy and I could chat. Our new compass is just left of the screen in the bulkhead. Our gps/chartplotter is hiding behind the tent top. Normally the top won't be on when were moving but since it was still wet I was hoping it would dry off a bit on the way to the slip.
 We made it to our slip and Mike was wrong, there wasn't a present, there were lots of presents waiting on us!!! I had to really watch my step when I stepped off the bow onto the slip to tie the boat up. We added a boat hook to the boat but it was on top of the cabin under the tent top so I could not try it out. No issues though as we tied and up and then I washed the presents off into the lake with bucket I use to wash the boat. Much nicer after that was done.
  All in all it was a great first night on the water. All the upgrades we made worked great. The furler is so nice and I do not miss going forward to deal with the head sail. The new sails look so much nicer and I am sure once we get to try them in the wind we like them even more. The anchor locker, well, I love it!  The tent top give us so much more volume and Cindy can stand up in the cabin now. It is just so much nicer having the extra space. We even get a little extra storage space on top of the cabin right behind the mast that came in handy. The windex lights up nicely from the anchor light so we can see it in the dark very easily. I still need to epoxy the transducer to the inside of the hull but the chart plotter is going to see a lot of use.
 As far as the rain and storms, that is all part of it. You have to take the good with the bad or just stay at home.  I am just so lucky that my incredible lil best friend/fiancé loves storms too. Cindy was actually excited that it stormed. Not many women would be excited that it was lightening and raining cats and dogs outside while on a boat but my lil lady was!
 We are hoping to over night again this Friday and they are forecasting more storms. We can't wait!!!!