Pirate maps and plundering
I was up around 8am today and got everyone up around 8:30. The idea was not to oversleep and enjoy the day as tomorrow we will need to be up really early. Since I took that late nap yesterday, I didn’t sleep all that well last night, I want a good night’s sleep tonight.
We headed to shore and took a walk to Whisky Point where there used to be a little coffee stand. We had never gotten a chance to give business there and Cory wanted to go. Sadly, it wasn’t there anymore. Along the way we heard and unusual sound. Sirens. That is pretty uncommon on the island, especially at 9 in the morning. Sure enough, the EMS SUV came zooming past us followed by the ambulance a few moments later. They turned into a drive way not far from where we were going. On our return, Cory and I sadly witnessed our first body bag being loaded into the ambulance. You never know…..A young kid in our home town (a fourth grader) was hit by a car last night and also died which has left all us of just in a daze of the feels. All day. Folks, hugs those you love, tell them too.
We headed back to town and we got Cory a Matcha at another local establishment. Richard and I grabbed some Cherry Juice, bagels and gouda from the grocery store and we headed back to Ciara for an amazing breakfast of gouda bagels.
We left Kona onboard and headed to shore to do some shopping and also checked out the printing museum. The printing museum is the old Mormon press back when King Strang ruled. It was very informative and I thoroughly enjoyed the upstairs library where I found a book that had details to the hiking on High Island. I was able to find the book on amazon and may purchase it as Captain and I feel strongly about finally seeing this 360 degree view of the area that is rumored to be second to none. I’ll note the book was published in the 90’s and even then the trails were being overgrown by the sounds of the authors descriptions. I found the best map that I have seen so far and I can’t help but look at it and feel like an real old time pirate reading maps that are more like suggestions up for interpretation.
After the museum Cory wanted to stop by the hardware store as they saw a book at the museum labeled “Fur babies of Beaver Island” and the cat at the hardware store was highlighted. Apparently this cat on a T-Shirt and everything! Gosh, I love small communities!
Back on Ciara, Captain flew the drone for a while. He also did me a huge favor and tightened the standing rigging and I took the time to re-tape them for him. I spent some time researching a new lanyard knot and then pulled out my new rig and made him a small lanyard to connect to his phone. He likes it and I will make another tomorrow that will make it a little longer. Pictures, coming tomorrow!
Around 4pm we called Circle M, a restaurant that is about two miles out of town that we have heard so much about. We made a reservation for dinner around 6:30. Captain fixed his chainsaw and had to run to shore quick and get more bar oil for it and took the opportunity to fill his growler of Berry-lious cider. When he returned, we loaded our scooters and longboard into the dinghy. I fed Kona her dinner and told her we would take her to shore for a long play tonight before our big sail tomorrow. I’m so glad that she is ok by herself on board and find it neat that we can travel so well with her and keep her safe without worrying. We just put her down below. I’m pretty sure she would be fine chilling up deck but our fear is she would jump ship watching us leave.
Captain has been riding the longboard a lot. He loves it. However, it was purchased for Cory and they did a great job riding. There is so little traffic on the island and everyone drives slowly. The amount of space everyone gave us and all the waves is really nice. We arrived at Circle M a little early. It is the old rectory, a beautiful old brick building that now serves pretty fancy food for a decent price. Still not cheap, however we do spoil ourselves with land meals when the occasion arises. The waitress asked if we wanted three glasses for our wines, perhaps maybe thinking Cory was of age. When we asked (we already knew the answer) if it was ok for minors she apologized and said “sorry, no, I thought he was old enough.” We went on to tell her that in Wisconsin we, as parents, can order drinks for our kids at restaurants (up to the establishments discretion). She was in disbelief. I don’t blame her, that has got to be the most Wisconsin law ever. Our appetizers, salads and meals were amazing. My steak was perfect but I kind of wish I had just ordered a large Caesar salad as I love a good Caesar and theirs was top notch.
After dinner we returned to the marina to go fetch Kona. Cory and I left Captain at the docks as he had struck up conversation with other sailors. I forget that yesterday there wasn’t a lot to write about and one reason is we have spent a considerable amount of time chatting with other sailors. A lot of folks are headed to the North Channel so we are excited to possibly run into them multiple times this summer. A lot of sailboats this year have younger kids aboard. We are so happy to see so many young families taking their kids on the same adventures we took our kids on and at the same time are yearning for them to be young again. Missing my kiddos pretty bad in those moments.
Cory and I grabbed some shower stuff back at the boat along with Kona and our portable lithium batteries. Our scooters were already pirating power back on shore, and we were going to plunder some power since we could and also a shower. The shower felt great! While Captain took his shower, I played a long game of frisbee with Kona much to the delight of all the sailing kids hanging out at the marina. I was able to take advantage of the marina’s great Wi-Fi and get yesterday’s blog posted before we were all ready to go back to Ciara. The waters were still and Ciara looked so beautiful under the dark skies and reflective waters.
We enjoyed finishing off the cider before bed all while listening to those ducks some more. The joke about the rivets never gets old and I will never live that down. Good laughs all around. Good company. We love this island and discover a little more each time when we come here. Very sad to leave tomorrow already, but the North Channel calls us.
