The Captain's Logs are below.

Read the Crew's Views from John, KC, and Caroline as they reflect on their experiences in Asia.

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Straits of Mackinaw

Mackinac Island was an old burial ground for Indians. It became of strategic interest to the newly arrived Europeans as they expanded west and argued (and fought) about whether it would be English, French, American, or Canadian. Today it is a terrific island for walking and buying fudge. If one is not into either of those activities, there is Fort Mackinac and the Grand Hotel. Fort Mackinac played a key role in the War of 1812 in the upper midwest. The weekend after our visit, 350 enthusiastic 1812 War buffs were to recreate the Battle of Ft. Mackinac in which the British gained (and kept) possession of the island for the duration of the conflict. The Grand Hotel, the other famous site, possesses the longest uninterrupted veranda in the country and was the scene for the Christopher Reeve movie "Somewhere in Time." To preserve an exotic island ambiance, no cars are permitted on the island. All travel is either on foot, bicycle, or horse drawn wagons.

Our first formal stop after Wyandotte was Mackinaw City, which is located on the southern shore of the Straits of Mackinac. This, too, is a popular summer stop for those on their way to Mackinac Island by ferry or to Michigan's Upper Peninsula by way of one of the longest suspension bridges in the country. As this was an official port call, we made every effort to show Pride II off under sail. The wind conveniently filled in with quite a bit of freshness. The crew worked hard at handling a number of tacks and a jibe as we maneuvered under the bridge and over to Colonial Fort Machimilimackinaw to salute the Revolutionary War re-enactors there. Our hosts were most accommodating but could do nothing about the wakes as the Mackinac Island ferries plowed by our dock in their rush to keep transit times to a minimum. The dock where we were moored was an abandoned cross-strait ferry from the days before the bridge. The dock is designed for a very large vessel with a natural immunity to moderate seas, which the fast ferries to Mackinac Island created. There will soon be a breakwater built there that will protect the waterfront from seas that come from the east as well ferry wakes. Then city officials hope for more visits from larger sailing vessels, especially the traditional type.

We spent two days at Mackinaw City and hosted two open houses, one day sail, and one evening reception. We were honored by a visit by the Governor of Michigan for the evening reception. The companies that used Pride II were Hasselbring-Clark and National Business Association.

Two of our guest crew, Gerry and Kim, debarked in Mackinaw City. (George, Vic and Tony carried on to Chicago). I was sorry to see them go. Maybe as sorry as they were to have to go. Kim had never really been sailing overnight before and she was sincerely concerned about what to expect. But she quickly realized how much fun there was to sailing and living aboard Pride II. She ventured into all activity the crews does to care for and sail Pride II. Gerry had been out on the water before, but not aboard Pride II. Given the opportunity, I think Kim and Gerry will do more sailing.

Go to Part 3: Chicago
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