Leaving Port Huron was a kind of a rough 33 mile journey over bumpy, sideways swells. It seems as though that may be the only kind of water the Great Lakes has to offer. For some reason I had it in my head that all days were sunny and smooth cruising. By this time, I would go for just two of those days in a row! But on the other hand, the temperatures have been reasonably nice, (I think they are just fine, but Michael is always complaining it’s too cold), and other than a few times, the bugs have not really been an issue.

Port Sanilac was a very cute little township along the outer “thumb” of Michigan on Lake Huron. It was originally a lumberjack settlement in the 1840’s, called Bark Shanty. In 1857 it was renamed Port Sanilac which is in Sanilac Township, which is in Sanilac County, Michigan. The name apparently came from the name of the Wyandotte Indian Chief named Sanilac. The total population is only 567 people, but it did have an extensive and huge hardware store that kept Michael entertained for over an hour.

Note the solid wall behind the boat. Port Sanilac, as well as a great number of ports in Michigan, is identified as a “harbor of refuge”; which should give some indication of the conditions of the Great Lakes. In 1965 the River and Harbor Act was authorized which provided harbors of refuge protected by breakwater structures. Harbors of refuge are a port, inlet, or other body of water that is sheltered from heavy seas where a vessel can safely moor/anchor.

From Port Sanilac we traveled 29 miles further north to Harbor Beach. We are anchored in Harbor Beach “harbor of refuge” for two nights hiding from winds and seas the following day.

Tomorrow morning, very early, we are heading out for a long journey of just over 60 miles to the top of the “thumb” and across to the lower side of the index finger to East Tawas for hopefully another night of anchoring out. Winds look to be reasonable, but we will be crossing the seas mostly broadside again. There is some maneuvering that can be done to alleviate the discomfort, but at some point, we just have to go that way to get where we are going…

Keep looking in for the latest on the adventure. Love to all, Gina and Mike