Hiking stories by Paisley and Sabastian

Sabastian's Story

The other day we went hiking. When we woke up we started the motors and went to an area called the pool. We lowered the dingy and the motor. We got in the dingy and went to a trail. We started walking on a trail and spotted two black bears. So then we continued down the path blowing whistles. When we finished going up we found the mountain lake called Topaz Lake. We felt the water and went back down the path. Paisley was going to fast and tripped on her knee. It looked like a big sliver of her skin was missing. So I got a big band aide and put it on her gash. We went back to the boat and cleaned Paisley up. With dad we got in the dingy and started hiking. I asked my dad to make me a walking stick. When I adjusted my grip, dad accidentally gave three of my fingers nice cuts. My dad took out the medicine stuff and made a sleeve for my wounds and we went to the lake and my dad and mom went swimming. Then we went home.

Paisley's Story

The other day we went hiking. The path was rocky. We saw a bear. I blew my whistle. The whistle scared the bear. The path was small. Topaz Lake is gorgeous. We wanted to go swimming. We went back to get our swim suits. I was going to fast down the hill. I slipped and gave myself a gash. We went back through the trail to our dingy. We went back fast to clean my gash. We climbed back up the mountain a second time and mom and dad went swimming.

Sabastian's entry on Fenelon Falls

When I was in Fenelon Falls we went to the Maryboro Lodge, the Fenelon Museum.  Before we went in we read a sign that had fun facts. When we went inside the first room had old Indian tools, broken pots,animal traps,and lockers the next room was full of paintings and more lockets. After we looked at different medicines we went upstairs. When we were upstairs there was a girls room, a parents room and a wood work shop with a lot of cool tools. Then we went to the basement and found storage butter turners and the kitchen. The last room we went in was a one room school where we wrote with ink, played a pipe organ, we also made a toy called a buzz saw. I had a lot of fun.

If you want to make a buzz saw here is what you need string, button and you also need to know how to make a knot. 1 Take the string and make it as long as your arm to your elbow twice. Then take a button and thread through if you have a four hole button use it at a diagonal angle. If you can't get the string through use a threader. The last thing you do is make a good knot. This is how it works you spin it around until the string tightens around your fingers then slowly pull it in and out on a horizontal angle. If you need to now how to hold it look at the pictures below.

Lake Charlevoix to Frankfort

Sunday morning was sunny and the winds were picking up by the time we made it out onto Lake Michigan at 9:00am. Our start was rocky as we crossed the mouth of Grand Traverse Bay with waves close to two feet. We were cruising at our normal 1800rmp and we were getting bogged down with the waves, not a pleasant ride. After some discussion on a new plan we decided to get up on plane and cruise at 2500rpm. We had enough speed to "surf the waves". While on the top of the wave we were up to 18.8 and 19 knots and easily shaved 3 hours off of our journey. Hello roller coaster ride! As we tucked behind the Manitou Islands we were protected from the northern winds and slowed back down to our normal rpm of 1800. We enjoyed looking at Sleeping Bear National Park from the water. As we arrived at the marina we noticed that several other loopers were here as well. A wonderful surprise for us and the kids!

Our wake at 2500rpm. The waves were so big our wake disappeared quickly.

Manitou Island

The waves calmed down. Our wake at 1500rpm.

The dunes at Sleeping Bear

The inlet in Frankfort

Mackinaw City to Lake Charlevoix

Saturday morning was overcast and winds were building along with the waves. We were getting pushed with the Northerly winds that were feeding Hurricane Irene. The day started out with some slightly uncomfortable seas as we passed under the Mackinaw Bridge. As we rounded Temperance Island the seas calmed down quite a bit and did not build up again until we got to the entrance of Charlevoix.

The channel for Lake Charlevoix. The water continues to be a beautiful blue.

Our anchorage for the night on Oyster Bay.

Drummond Island to Mackinaw City

Saturday morning was cloudy and cool as we left the marina. We had a 40 mile journey across Lake Huron to Mackinaw City. The skies cleared up as we entered Lake Huron. It was another gorgeous day to be on the water.

The ferry boat that goes between Drummond Island to De Tour Village.

The lighthouse in the De Tour Village inlet. 

Mackinac Island is on the horizon.

The two lighthouses in the inlet for Mackinac Island.

Nice rooster tail.

The Mackinaw Bridge

Mackinaw City

The view of the Mackinaw City Marina from the ferry boat.

We took the ferry boat over to Mackinac Island with Barry and Jodie from Love Shack.

The Grand Hotel was beautiful.