DRUMMOND ISLAND, MI TO ST. IGNACE, MI

Tuesday, August 11th to Wednesday, August 12th, 2015

Day 372-373

Miles Traveled on Wednesday: 53

Total Miles Traveled: 5765

  We stayed in port at Drummond Island on Tuesday due to high winds making the seas unfit for travel.  There is not anything to see at Drummond Island, so, we decided to do laundry and grocery shopping.  There was a nice laundromat on site with dryers that were very efficient.  Often, the dryers at marinas are less than hot requiring over an hour to dry the clothes.  These were commercial grade dryers, and, the clothes were dry in under 30 minutes.  A rental car was needed to go for groceries, since, the closest grocery was over two miles away.  The marina provides a rental car for $12 for a trip to the grocery store.  Although, it was not a large IGA grocery, it was adequate for our needs.  During the afternoon, several other Looper boats arrived at the marina and "docktails" began at 6:00 pm.  Dave & Penny aboard "Penny Pinchin' " got one of the marina rental vans, and, we and Ralph & Linda aboard "Mazel Tug" went with them to a nearby restaurant for dinner.  Before bed, we reviewed the weather forecast and were getting conflicting reports.  Two sources revealed favorable travel conditions and another did not.  We decided to arise early and check to updated forecasts the following morning.

  Wednesday we awoke at 5:30 am as planned the night before.  We hopped out of bed and immediately pulled up the weather and marine forecasts.  Good news, all were in agreement that the wind and waves would be minimal throughout the morning and early afternoon.  We got ourselves ready to go and untied the lines by 7:00 am.  The seas were calm, and, as we approached De Tour Passage we got a glimpse of the large waters of Lake Huron.  The seas there looked calm as well.

De Tour Passage with Lake Huron ahead

  After leaving De Tour Passage we rounded the De Tour Reef Lighthouse and headed west.  A second lighthouse was passed, the Martin Reef Lighthouse.  We are looking forward to seeing more lighthouses as well travel along Lake Michigan.

De Tour Reef Lighthouse

Martin Reef Lighthouse

  With about four miles to go, the wind began to increase as did the waves.  We were glad we left early and finished our travels before the seas got really rough.   We arrived at St. Ignace Municipal Marina about 1:30 pm.  After checking in, we walked around downtown St. Ignace.  Father Jacques Marquette founded the mission of St. Ignace in 1671.  A statue in his memory stands outside the local museum.

statue of Father Jacques Marquette

  The museum of Ojibwa Culture is housed in the oldest building in St. Ignace, a catholic church built in 1837.  The Ojibaw's were some of the first inhabitants of the St. Ignace area.  The museum did a nice job of informing its visitors about the Ojibwa culture.

Museum of Ojibwa Culture - housed in old catholic church

  Near the marina, we noticed an old rudder from a shipwreck, "The William H Barnum", on display.  This boat was cut open by ice and sunk in 1894 just five miles away.  Fortunately, no lives were lost.

rudder from "The William H Barnum"

  The Great Lakes have taken many fine ships and sailormen.  It is hard to believe something this beautiful can become so evil.

Lake Huron - beautiful blue/green waters

  Dan prepared a great dinner while Angie prepared the blog.  We then settled in for a quiet night aboard the "Seahorse".