Middle Bass – August 13, 2014

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Aug 132014
 

Left Put In Bay today for Middle Bass Island. Apparently a new marina is there with lots of space. Looking forward to the trip which is just a short jump from South Bass Island to Middle Bass Island. Arrived with sunny skies and great slip availability. This marina is huge. It has enough slips for all sizes of boats. Since we are only staying here for the day and heading to Sandusky for the night we got off early. Choosing to take our bikes for a spin around the island. Quiet, not touristy at all. Visited several little stops but realized quickly this is a more laid back atmosphere.

Talked with a few locals who recommended the restaurant, Walleye’s, near the marina. Popped in for an ice cream after our beautiful trek by bike around the island. We decided that Walleye’s deserved a much more detailed look. Out back of the restaurant is a laid back island atmosphere complete with large wading pool, waterfall and beautiful flora. We felt like we were in the islands in the Caribbean. Ordered pina coladas for us and a virgin one for Aiden. The water was shallow and really cold. I think they must change the water in the pool often or it would have been much warmer. Stayed the entire afternoon, sipping coladas, playing water volleyball, sort of, and multiple games of corn hole bean toss. Gotta make one of these for Beaver Island.

Middle Bass Island is the small, quiet island with not much to do but if you love this lifestyle you will want to visit here. We also found out that as a quest you can come to Walleye’s anytime, for free, as well as a full swimming pool available on the other side of the island at a “resort” called St. Hazards Resort which offers people a MUCH cheaper alternative to the lodging on Put-n-Bay. They have many small cabins and villas to rent as well and tent camping areas, places to park your camper or travel trailer. They also have some waterfront condos to rent on the water. The beach still needs work and this could be considered a sleepy, almost run down (to some folks) place to be. But we loved it.

 

 

 Posted by at 1:34 AM

Day 2 Put In Bay – August 11, 2014

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Aug 112014
 

Aug 11, 2014 Put In Bay, South Bass Island
Rain………………walked about 5 km in the rain. Came home soaked head to toe. Wanted to see the Aquatic Centre which as it turns out is a fish hatchery and is only open Wed – Saturday. They really should put that in those brochures. Heading back out into the rain to head to the winery. Stay tuned for the result. You can be tit will be a movie night. Rain came all day but that didn’t stop us from having a good time.

 Posted by at 1:15 AM

Put In Bay, South Bass Island – August 10, 2014

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Aug 102014
 

Aug 10, 2014 Kelley’s Island – Put In Bay, South Bass Island
Put In Bay, South Bass Island
Check out from Portside on Kelley’s Island was at 11:00 so each and every large boat was leaving at the same time. We were second in line due to our slip placement. Winds wer okay but breezy. We were heading to Put In Bay which was about a 40 minute slow steady ride. We had reservations again at Millers Marina. The new Park Place Marina is beautiful. It’s only been open about a month, is village owned and has one of the best facilities here at Put In. Same price $1.75 per ft. We do like our slip at Millers. Right up front, in front of the pavilion and not far from the main village. We spent the afternoon tripping through the village, which was bustling on a Sunday. Saw an antique car show drive by, a veterans parade, had a local beer from Put In Bay, and of course, the illustrious ice cream. There is enough to do on this island to keep us here for days. Memorials about the peace between Canada, the US and Britian and an entirely different perspective on the war of 1812. The Battle of Erie was here on September 10, 1813 where Oliver Hazard Perry beat the British on Lake Erie. The only battle won by the Redcoats which made it easy for them to stop supplies heading toward the western end of the lake from Kingston. The history is outstanding here. This place is known as the Peace Memorial due to the monument for that commemorative on this island. So many Canadian flags here in Put In Bay are seen on buildings, streets and poles. It is impressive.

 Posted by at 1:14 AM

Kelly’s Island – August 9, 2014

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Aug 092014
 

Aug 9, 2014 Cleveland – Kelley’s Island
Heading out early to Kelley’s Island. We made reservations for Portside Marina. There were only a couple places on Kelley’s that could accommodate our size even though there are several marinas listed. The lake was breezy but the waves were okay. Only about one metre or so with a NE heading. We got to Portside at around 11:30. There were a bunch of boats already waiting for slip assignment and the harbourmaster was ready for us but we had to wait until the others were assigned. Tough in those winds. This marina has a fixed wall facing east and a floating dock beside that. It accommodates the large boats side by side along a long channel with stern in. Captain was a bit nerved at this with those NE winds wanting to push out the bow. He got in without trouble, then had a beer. We had a quick lunch then headed out on a 4 hour bike ride around the island. They rent golf carts a plenty here so dodging golf carts, cars, bicycles and pedestrians downtown was crazy. Once out all was good. Beautiful warm afternoon riding we saw glacial grooves formed during the glacial age, a secluded beach along a hiking trail, and lots of tourists. Those golf carts are everywhere. We think the bike ride was the way to go.
 

 

 Posted by at 3:50 PM

Cleveland – August 8, 2014

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Aug 082014
 

Aug 8, 2014 Erie – Cleveland OH
So we plan a route to Cleveland. The lake was calm and we left early. A beautiful day on the water dodging sailboats and fishing boats. We’ve never seen so many. Making our way to Cleveland which is about a 3 ½ hour travel time for us, we start to plan our island hopping. Discussing which islands, how long and of course there is that Cedar Point day that is an absolute. Getting into Cleveland there is an outer harbour and inner harbour layout against the swells of the Lake. However, upon needing diesel and a NE wind, tie up for said diesel took manoeuvring. Captain Scott is amazing even in bad winds and no bow thruster. It did take about 4 tries to get in but he did it and we had our slip assignment. We stayed at Lakeside but have since heard about a city marina beside the Science Centre downtown. I think we’ll be stopping there on our way back. Kids have needs too, apparently. Lakeside is a nice marina with a small pool, restaurant and bar. There is a small area to shoot hoops and a small climber for the little ones. Not near anything for supplies or attractions though.
 

 Posted by at 3:49 PM

Erie – August 7, 2014

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Aug 072014
 

Thursday August 7, 2014 Beaver Island to Erie, PA
So we are off. I received the call to get ready to take the vacation down Lake Erie. We haven’t planned out the details of the trip but we have been this route before. I really want to stop in Erie at Presque Isle and stay on the hook. Crossing fingers the Captain is “on board” with this idea. As we head out down the Niagara River towards Buffalo, stop for a quick diesel fill up and weather is on our side. Unfortunately it is a northeast wind, which is not normal. The waves and chop will be a bit higher than usual. But we are leaving early for calmer lake travel. Yes, the Captain agrees that Erie will be a great stop.

We pull into Presque Isle Bay and drop anchor. The winds were good but building. That’s okay. They won’t affect us. This bay is sheltered on all sides and its a warm one too. We decide to play and swim for a couple hours. Then take “Low Voltage” out for a tour. What a gorgeous afternoon. Skipping stones, swimming, just enjoying the calm and view. As I start to make dinner and turn on the Generator, she quits. Fault. Scott knows what it is and has a spare part. Impeller is replaced but really, did Scott need this on our first day out? If you followed our blog from a couple years ago you might remember that Erie is the place that he had to take a look at the sensor that we replaced in Sandusky. The part turned out to be a bad part so we limped home from Erie back then. Again, the gen impeller goes in Erie. I’m beginning to wonder about our luck here!!! OMG and the mosquitos at dusk. We had to go inside.
 

 Posted by at 3:48 PM

July 1 – 4, 2014 Canada Day and 4th of July American Style

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Jul 042014
 

Wear Red …..and then wear Red, white and blue. Those two holidays blend into each other while living so close to the border. Scott took some fellas out on the boat for an evening cruise. From Tonawanda Gateway Park to Canalside, Buffalo and then along Black Rock Lock they cruised through a good wind of 30 km/hr. At Canalside they had a great dinner and headed back to Tonawanda for the weekly evening band.

On July 3rd, we took out our friends from squash, Matt, Lesley and family. It was quite cool and rainy. The sun made a few appearances but it was still sweaters to watch the sunset fall over the brim of Niagara Falls. We traveled around Navy Island and saw a deer drinking along the shore. Dinner was a BBQ which the kids thought was something just to have that on board a boat. Great memories made!

We stayed the weekend in Chippawa at the Greater Niagara Boat Club. A cute, quiet little place with a bar style food choice and beer aplenty. Canadian, eh! Since we were so close to home we also managed to head there to get some well needed yard work done.

 Posted by at 8:36 PM

June 2014 – Beaver Island, Grand Island

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Jun 012014
 

When we decided to take out a seasonal slip we wondered if we would ever stay in one place. Well for the month of June that became the norm. Scott decided to install a davit system with a tender. Purchasing the davit from a company in New Jersey, they stated that it was to be a perfect fit and easily installed on our specific boat. The other boaters from Sea Ray said that the company was reputable. We ordered the davit system in February in hopes that it would be here in May so that Scott could install the new bling to the swim platform. As it turns out, it was late and it arrived in June. Upon looking at the pieces sent Scott quickly realized that it was no way a “perfect fit” for our boat. That began with countless hours on his part to re-engineer the entire system. Thank goodness for friends that lived on the island. Scott couldn’t have done the cutting and welding of the stainless brackets without Warren’s help and tools. The entire project spanned over two full, hard work weekends while at Beaver Island. He didn’t stop until it was done. Scott had called the company and asked what they had done to be told that they were not sure of measurements, so they “winged it”. How you “wing” something like this is beyond me. They even had the gumption to ask that once he had all the measurements and figures and had it in place if he would mind sending those figures to them. All this for a “perfect fit”.

The best part about staying here are all the kids. Aiden had so many to play with dawn till after campfire. Rarely saw him the entire days there.

 

 Posted by at 8:37 PM

May 25 – May 28, 2014

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May 252014
 

After her launch from Smith Boys on Tonawanda Island we decided to stop overnight at Tonawanda Gateway Park to get supplies. Groceries and some incidentals, like beer. You know us Canadians and our beer!! It was a cold one for sure. Had the heat on.

On Saturday we headed over to Beaver Island Marina for the weekend. Conductance started up no problem. Love her mechanic/Captain. He always knows what she needs to keep her going after 6 months in storage. We found out that our favourite spot in the marina at Beaver Island had been taken by a seasonal occupant. Darn. We managed to find a small dock with a centre post between slips that we could tie off. So once that was figured out we were all set. Aiden was happy to see all his friends from the Island and made a couple new ones. Young fellas about his age. The rest are all girls so this is a treat. We spent the weekend recounting all our winter stories about blizzards, work, family, life with our ole friends and the kids spent their time catching millions of minnows. Some sun even made an appearance. Love the campfires that we have here. It’s the only place around this area on the Upper Niagara River that you can have campfires, every night if you want. It was this weekend that we decided to take out a seasonal slip here. We won’t be here full time but at least we will have a home.

 Posted by at 8:29 PM