Port Huron
September 1, 2010[
Today’s theme is the past never stays in the past. This morning we were off early because the winds were light and we knew they would increase by afternoon.
Mike was on watch reading a book when suddenly a boat appeared out of no where. We have seen this type of boat before because we were boarded by the Coast Guard in Florida years ago. We wondered where they were going so quickly. They were coming directly at us and suddenly swung around the side of our boat. What is the protocol for being pulled over at sea?
When the boat was even with us, we noticed it was a Customs/Boarder Patrol boat. There were several people on board. One man was at the backside of the boat’s cabin with his hand on his pistol. The other man was on the side and asked us where we were coming from, where we had been and where we were going. Doesn’t sound like being pulled over by a Chicago cop? The customs officer also asked us if we had been into Canada and where was our home port. We answered the questions and he nodded and then took off. We continued along our way, but they stopped behind us. We were sure that they were checking out our documentation and customs information.
Later as we were entering the St. Claire River, we spied what looked like the same boat. We know, we sound a little paranoid and maybe we are but….
Back to today’s theme: A few years ago while Mike was on a motorcycle trip to the maritime providences in Canada, he was held and fined for smuggling weapons into Canada. It was all a misunderstanding, but it is on his record with Customs in Canada. This was before 9-11. We all know how things have changed. In fact a few years later, we went into Canada and had a small problem with customs and immigration. Once again it was all a misunderstanding. (At least that is what we were told!) If the Canadians have the information about Mike then so must the Americans. We had a great time joking about not crossing the imaginary line down the middle of the river. We assure you, we had no contraband.
After going through our second draw bridge, we saw the marina and our slip. As we prepared to make the turn into the slip, Mike yelled, “Look at the boat they put us next to!” There was Fine Line the last boat we had raced on before buying Anam Cara. We last saw the boat by coincidence at Toressen Marine last summer. At that time the boat had just been sold. We have been flooded with warm memories of the crew and the races we had won. We don’t remember the races we lost.
As a way of celebrating our old friend we dressed to dress for dinner wearing something with the Fine Line logo and walked to town.
Laundry Chronicles: We were told when we docked that there was a washer and dryer in the maintenance shop that we could use and it is free! It is a decent full size washer and dryer, not the mini basket that costs $2 per load that is often found in a marina. Time for the sheets, mattress pad, and towels to see some soap and water!
September 4, 2010
The weather has really shifted. It is cold and windy (20-40 knots these few days) and we are pleased to still be in Port Huron. The St. Claire River and Lake can get very choppy when it is really windy.
We have enjoyed Port Huron. Mike’s parents came from Lansing on Thursday to visit. They took us to our favorite stores: West Marine and Meijer. They also brought us many treats from their garden as well as various things we have had delivered to their house in the last week or so. We were also going to take a trolley ride to see the historical sites when it started to pour. After a late lunch, Phyllis and Larry went back to Lansing.
The next several days have been both interesting and relaxing. We went sight seeing on the trolley, went to the farmer’s market and took the bus to the mall. We are planning to leave Sunday morning and start our the next leg of the journey, which is getting to Lake Erie.
Today’s theme is the past never stays in the past. This morning we were off early because the winds were light and we knew they would increase by afternoon.
Mike was on watch reading a book when suddenly a boat appeared out of no where. We have seen this type of boat before because we were boarded by the Coast Guard in Florida years ago. We wondered where they were going so quickly. They were coming directly at us and suddenly swung around the side of our boat. What is the protocol for being pulled over at sea?
When the boat was even with us, we noticed it was a Customs/Boarder Patrol boat. There were several people on board. One man was at the backside of the boat’s cabin with his hand on his pistol. The other man was on the side and asked us where we were coming from, where we had been and where we were going. Doesn’t sound like being pulled over by a Chicago cop? The customs officer also asked us if we had been into Canada and where was our home port. We answered the questions and he nodded and then took off. We continued along our way, but they stopped behind us. We were sure that they were checking out our documentation and customs information.
Later as we were entering the St. Claire River, we spied what looked like the same boat. We know, we sound a little paranoid and maybe we are but….
Back to today’s theme: A few years ago while Mike was on a motorcycle trip to the maritime providences in Canada, he was held and fined for smuggling weapons into Canada. It was all a misunderstanding, but it is on his record with Customs in Canada. This was before 9-11. We all know how things have changed. In fact a few years later, we went into Canada and had a small problem with customs and immigration. Once again it was all a misunderstanding. (At least that is what we were told!) If the Canadians have the information about Mike then so must the Americans. We had a great time joking about not crossing the imaginary line down the middle of the river. We assure you, we had no contraband.
After going through our second draw bridge, we saw the marina and our slip. As we prepared to make the turn into the slip, Mike yelled, “Look at the boat they put us next to!” There was Fine Line the last boat we had raced on before buying Anam Cara. We last saw the boat by coincidence at Toressen Marine last summer. At that time the boat had just been sold. We have been flooded with warm memories of the crew and the races we had won. We don’t remember the races we lost.
As a way of celebrating our old friend we dressed to dress for dinner wearing something with the Fine Line logo and walked to town.
Laundry Chronicles: We were told when we docked that there was a washer and dryer in the maintenance shop that we could use and it is free! It is a decent full size washer and dryer, not the mini basket that costs $2 per load that is often found in a marina. Time for the sheets, mattress pad, and towels to see some soap and water!
September 4, 2010
The weather has really shifted. It is cold and windy (20-40 knots these few days) and we are pleased to still be in Port Huron. The St. Claire River and Lake can get very choppy when it is really windy.
We have enjoyed Port Huron. Mike’s parents came from Lansing on Thursday to visit. They took us to our favorite stores: West Marine and Meijer. They also brought us many treats from their garden as well as various things we have had delivered to their house in the last week or so. We were also going to take a trolley ride to see the historical sites when it started to pour. After a late lunch, Phyllis and Larry went back to Lansing.
The next several days have been both interesting and relaxing. We went sight seeing on the trolley, went to the farmer’s market and took the bus to the mall. We are planning to leave Sunday morning and start our the next leg of the journey, which is getting to Lake Erie.