THE PERFECT ANCHORAGE - THE WORST MARINA

We took our time leaving Fish Creek. Since we had paid for the slip to avoid the rough weather and anchorage, we decided we really wanted to explore as much as we could from there. Denise had heard a lot about the Cana Island Light House and wanted to see that. We also had Peninsula Park that we had hiked a few miles in the day before that had some spectacular things to see, if we could only figure out how to do it all. Cana Island was on the other side of the peninsula and I didn't want to sail south again and the park was 10 to 20 miles to see most of it. Denise was asking the one of the workers at the town marina if there was a place to rent a car. He didn't know of one, but told us to take his car. He had to work until 7 PM and wouldn't need it, but asked us to lock it up because his wallet is over the driver side visor! Wow! We gave him his wallet before we left but we wound up being able to see everything we wanted to see. What tremendous hospitality! Cana Island Light house had been abandoned by the Coast Guard and gave it to Door County. They charge to tour it so they can restore it for historical purposes. Bailey's Harbor was where we would have to sail to (without the car) turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. The Peninsula State Park had some fantastic light houses and spectacular views. We drove the whole length of it and was still able to get the car back by 6:30. We offered to pay him for the gas we used and the use of the car, but he refused. We left the money, regardless. We could not help rewarding such wonderful and trusting hospitality. The wind and waves kept shifting in Fish Creek, but in the end, we were glad we were in the slip and had a really good night's sleep.

Cana Island Lighthouse

A last look at Fish Creek

Eagle Point Lighthouse

Cliffs along the way

We took one last walk through downtown Fish Creek (or "Crik" as the locals call it) on Sunday morning and took some Cherry Stuffed French Toast back to the boat. The White Gull had won an award on Good Morning America for this famous treat. We finally cast the dock lines and headed North around the Door County Peninsula. We had a bit of excitement coming out of Fish Creek, but we would rather not talk about that. After visiting the park in the car, we were able to identify many of the impressive sights from the water. The islands off to the West were also impressive, but unapproachable due to dangerous shoals surrounding them. With light winds, we motored around the peninsula and into Nicolete Bay. It looked a little touristy, even though it was a campground area. Across from the bay, however, was Horseshoe Island. It is a deserted island that once housed an outfitting company that helped the sailing vessels with their supplies as they worked their way down Green Bay supplying the towns with their much needed cargo. With the Bay being in the shape of a horseshoe, it provided perfect protection from everything except a South wind. When we first went in, there were 4 boats in the bay. One left as we anchored, (almost running us over in the process) and the rest left as the winds began to kick up from the South. We took a hike as far around the island as we could go. We uncovered one mystery of  the perfectly bored holes in many of the trees we had seen as we hiked in other areas. We were walking past a tree with those holes in it, when we heard some chirping from little babies. Mom came screaming as we kept taking pictures and knocking on the tree to get the kids to chirp. Mom was a Clark's Nut Cracker. Apparently, they bore holes in diseased trees and make their nests in them. When we got back to the boat, a trawler came in and we were impressed with their anchoring techniques. They asked us our scope (the amount of anchor line for the landlubbers) so that we could swing together, which most people would not think to ask. They invited us over for a cocktail after dinner and we had a enjoyable evening talking boating with the owners of Liberty Blue. They had done several Great Loops and we really enjoyed the evening. The wind eventually shifted to where it was supposed to be and the anchorage became a peaceful place to spend the night. We went to bed early and was up with the sunrise. It was exceptionally beautiful. Total silence, except for the wildlife, and the most beautiful views from every direction.

Horseshoe Island bay from the Peninsula

Manana at Anchor in Horseshoe Island Bay

We reluctantly left Horseshoe Island and headed towards Death's Door. We enjoyed the scenery as we motor sailed, dipping into every little bay, just to make sure we didn't miss anything. We called ahead to Sister's Bay and they said we could tie up for a couple of hours and explore the town. We found this in most of the places we stopped at. They usually charge something per hour, but, since they were not too busy with tourists, we were not charged anything. The main attraction in Sister's bay was Al's Restaurant which features a grass roof with goats on it that keep it mowed. Really! I guess it is a Swedish thing.

A Swedish thing. Goats on the roof.

We continued on to Death's Door. It gained that name due to the large amount of shipwrecks and deaths that occurred due to foul weather and treacherous shores leading from Lake Michigan into
Green Bay. The first ship that was lost in the area was  in 1697, and there have been many more since. We had planned on spending our last night in Wisconsin at Washington Island. It is in the middle of Death's Door and supposedly had a lot of sites to see. The charts were a little disturbing in that they showed a lot of dangerous shoals and only a small narrow channel to get in. We were trying to avoid marina fees and wanted to anchor out for the night. We had been told that we could anchor off Detroit Island or in Detroit Bay. When we went into the Channel to Washington Island, it was very confusing and poorly marked. All we saw were a lot of work boats and some ferries. The channel to Detroit Island was not even marked, and our chart plotter only showed a narrow channel with 3 feet on each side. Kap's Marina had told us it was too shallow to go there, so, we had no other choice to pay their $2.00 per foot for the night. We were the largest boat in the marina and the put us next to the coast guard boats. We were the only non-locals in the marina. The marina was very spartan, except for their price.

Moonrise over Washington Island

A "Dead" island outside " Death's Door"
Destroyed by birds (like the movie)

We left Washington Island at 8 AM after topping off our fuel and headed due East for Charlevoix, Michigan. Unfortunately, (and as is often said to be the case), the wind was right on our nose and we had to motor all the way. Motor or not, it was a beautiful day. We are now anchored in Round Lake, which is right in front of the Downtown area of Charlevoix. This is the deepest water I have ever anchored in at 58 feet. I usually like something in the 20 feet or less category, but, the view is worth the risk of dragging anchor in the middle of the night.

The Guardian of Charlevoix Harbor

A view from our Anchorage