North to Northport

After a two-day trip home for a routine doctor visit, to check on the cats and do some laundry, we are back on board again. We spent yesterday stocking up on supplies and this morning left Elk Rapids and sailed northwest to Northport. The forecast sounded promising: southwest winds at 10 knots, which we had for the first hour of the trip. We sailed nicely on a close reach, attaining speeds up to 7 knots at times, but averaging more like 6. As we approached Old Mission Point, however, the wind dropped to nothing. We persevered without turning on the engine, inspired by a fleet of some seven or eight boats we had met who were sailing east to Elk Rapids and were purists about moving under sail alone. Fortunately the wind returned after only a short time, and we began sailing again. Unfortunately, it was from a new direction -- on our nose. We sailed for a while close-hauled on a course that would have involved tacking in order to reach our destination, but cranked up the motor and took in sail when we began to fear there might not be slips available by the time we reached Northport harbor. One reason we were worried was because we heard on the radio that they were saving a spot on the wall for a 92-foot schooner! We arrived at 4:00 and got a slip in a nice location, close to shore but far from the group of powerboaters hanging out on the dock. There was a nice breeze in the cockpit so we ate our dinner there, listening to a concert in the park by the Neptune Quartet. As we were finishing dinner, the Madeline arrived and took her spot on the wall. She is a replica of an 1840's commercial vessel which is based in Traverse City. As the evening wore on, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds and bathed the marina in a soft light, the perfect end to a wonderful day.