August 19-20. School House Bay Washington Island and Peninsula State Park

We are in Wisconsin!

Brandon the Detour mechanic, brandishing  a 1/2 inch ratchet, a tool I don't have (yet), loosened the belt  tensioner so we could replace the alternator.  Took 20 minutes which is about how long it took me to initially realize I didn't have that tool.  We sadly had to abandon the plan to fuel up at St. Ignace ($3.99/gal) and instead took on 240 gallons at the Detour Marina ($4.21/gal).  We high tailed it out of there and made for Mackinac where we arrived after sunset and pulled into a slip.  Forgot how rolly it is in there with all the ferry wakes.

The band Grrr at the bar where we ate

We strolled the 100 feet to the Immigration Department's video phone to check back into the country.  After a bunch of questions and many "what's" because the phone had terrible audio we were officially granted re-entry in the US.  To celebrate we went to a bar and had a drink or two and dinner.  Got back to the boat by 10pm, backed out of the slip and were on our way to School House Bay on Washington Island in Wisconsin.

The wave heights were forecast to get into the 3-5 foot range by Monday so we wanted to get across the lake before then or face 2-3 days being stuck in Mackinac.  So we did another night cruise.  It was calm seas for awhile until we were inside Greys Passage when the swell really picked up.  By morning we were really rocking and then with the turn towards the west after Beaver Island we had beam seas which meant lots of side-to-side rolling.

School House Bay beach

But we finally made the calm water in School House Bay.  Nice and quiet.  A good night to rest up.  School House Bay sports and all stone beach and very clear water.

Anchored near the boat ramp at Nicolet Bay

Left the anchorage early and headed to Nicolet Bay in Peninsula State Park.  Rode into into 2-4 foot head seas as soon as we rounded the point.  They swells moderated as we made our south.  Arrived in the anchorage and experienced a bewildering series of failed anchoring attempts.  In all the years we've anchored in here this was the first instance of an anchor not setting right away.  We finally got a good hold right before Dave arrived to take Kathy back home.  Thanks Kath for the great time!

Greg and Laura arrived shortly after.  The dinghy got a workout transporting their stuff to the boat.  Went to the beach for ice cream but the snack bar was closed.  And the beach is surrounded by a chain link fence so they can regrow some vegetation.  Appears very prison-like.

 Back at the boat we grilled and then settled in for the night. Should be a good day tomorrow until the winds pick up and with it, rain.  Going to Sister Bay marina Wednesday and Thursday to wait out the weather.