The Berry Patch-Paradise,MI

After a long night of heavy rain...we awoke to yet more rain and a stiff east wind. In our defense we did peer out the tent three times and made a serious attempt to get into our paddling clothes before crawling back into our cozy sleeping bags. We spent a few more hours sleeping before our inspiration came to venture out in the rain...all you can drink coffee and a warm breakfast at the Berry Patch in Paradise. By the time we got back the rain was letting up an the wind clocked out of north. We paddled into that stiff headwind until we came to Whitefish Point. We dared not venture around and so we holed up at the marina. Hopefully tomorrow the wind will let up so we can put in some miles tomorrow.

Woke up this morning with a beautiful view of the immense Whitefish Bay. Heading into Tahquamenon Bay it became very apparent that it would be a Bald Eagle day. We saw adults, juveniles and recent fledglings. Lake Superior stayed calm most of day and picked up slightly in the afternoon. Pulled a 30 mile day or so ending in Paradise where we treated ourselves to a burger and beer.

June 14

Well we didn't exactly get on the water on June 12 as planned but the important thing is that as of 10:45 this morning we are officially on our way! The customs officials were super nice getting us our I68 forms but the coast guard looked at us like we were crazy! No bother.
The launch from Ashmun Bay Park in Sault Ste Marie put us just under the international bridge and added a nice backdrop for our festivities. Being on the St. Mary's River to start got us up close and personal with freighters and allowed us to be gradually introduced to Lake Superior herself.
We came up past Brimley State Park and rounded Iroquois Point before completing our 25ish mile day in Pendillis Bay. We stayed at a roadside park and had a well deserved glass of wine with the sunset.

View out the tent door-Paradise,MI

Chet, Brenda, Andrea moments before launch- Ashmun Bay Park, Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Well another hectic day is under our belts. Ultimately we have decided to push our launch date back one day due in part to weather and another for our sanity. Tomorrow we shall make our pilgrimage up to Sault Ste. Marie to fill out our I-68 forms, in preparation for a Canadian landing at some point, and then its off to a hotel to put our final touches on the trip. Sunday morning will hopefully bring fair weather and following seas. We anticipate a launch from Ashmun Bay Boat Launch at a decent hour and then its nothing but paddling to be had!

If all goes to plan (which it surely won't) we will average 30 miles a day. For those of you hoping to meet up with is along the water, be sure to stay tuned to what will actually happen mileage-wise! Tomorrow I should have a more formal breakdown of destinations and approximate time frames along with our gear laid out before we actually load the boat down. Stay tuned... the best is yet to come!