Bristol-Blue Lake Michigan Sailing Adventures

Sailed Gull Lake Today! It has been 2 years since I've had a chance to get out and ice boat.  The stars aligned today and we had a good time.   Gull Lake Ice Yacht Club was hosting a party.  This is a great group of guys very welcoming.  They had a great set up down at Gull Lake Yacht club with doughnuts, chilli, and hot drinks in their club house.  I can't say enough about what a great club this is. Today we sailed for about 6 hours.  The wind was gusty and the ice a bit bumpy but very sail-able although a bit scary when hiking.    For those of you who don't know what hiking is.  This is when the wind lift your boat up and tips it to one side.  In wet water sailing it's not to big a deal.  If you hike and tip your boat over you get wet. On an ice boat hiking is fun if you can control it but if you flip over you have a good chance of going to the ER.  The gusts and ice conditions where a bit much for me today.  If the boat hiked up I would hold it for a little whil

I found this fun song by the Flannery Brothers check it out while you read. <a href="http://dannylionmusic.com/album/the-new-explorers-club">The New Explorer's Club by Flannery Brothers</a> So on my way back from Torresen Marine's spring thaw I saw this parrot riding shot gun down US 31.  Sorry the photo isn't that great but at 70 mph down the express way you just have to take what you can get.  I think it is a sign of spring when you can take your parrot for a car ride and kudos to who ever this guy is, having an un-caged bird sitting next to you chatting.    Each year Torresen Marine puts on a big season kick off "Spring Thaw" event.  Torresen is the big sailing source here on the east side of Lake Michigan.  I've purchased boats through them, parts and attended seminars on motor maintenance over the past few years.   This year the event was great.  There was a Harken representativ

So word is we are going to get a few days of warming weather.  Yeah!!!!!  I got out and knocked the snow the cover today.  Hope we get a melt down soon it would be nice to see if the trailer is still under the boat.  

This weekend I had a bit of fun.  I visited the local Michael's and picked up a nice frame for a project I've been working on.  A Cape Dory Typhoon print.   I found the photo online and inverted the colors.  Printed it out on some legal size paper a little bit of trimming and the results a perfectly framed print for our hallway!

During the summer at least around here there are a ton of live bands playing.  After Labor day the live bands and out door music pretty much disappears.  So I thought I'd look for some music to listen to. This band we heard at the Irish music festival and plays a great version of "The Mermaid" featured in the last videos post. <a href="http://scythian1.bandcamp.com/album/its-not-too-late">It&#39;s Not Too Late by Scythian</a> This one sent out to BB's Sun glasses and all the tools I've dropped in the lake over the years. <a href="http://doloresdagenais.bandcamp.com/album/songwriting-challenges-2013">Songwriting Challenges 2013 by Dolores Dagenais</a> All about the Freckles. <a href="http://sailingsouthofficial.bandcamp.com/track/to-find-my-place">To Find My Place by Sailing South</a> This one like just like the bands around here doing covers of all kinds of stuff and she sounds

It has been blowing here all night shortly after yesterday's post I went and raked the snow off the tarp.  This may have been a big mistake.  This morning it appears that the wind has shredded the front half of my cover.  I'll have to get another tarp here in the next few days and brush off the deck right now no one is going anywhere.  The county, schools, colleges, even the local pizza joint is closed.  The main part of the blizzard is past but now we are in for some serious lake effect snow and wicked cold days. Hopefully these winds will settle down soon the snow drifts are growing pretty quick out there.  Good luck all and stay warm.  Just for fun here's a link to a Saugatuck Harbor web cam.  

Michigan 11 and a 1/2 inches of snow.  3-8 more inches expected by tomorrow!