Mike and Patty's Great Loop Adventure 2018-2019

Bay Harbor Marina in Bay City, MI to Harrisville Harbor, Harrisville, MI

Day #1: Happy Independence Day! We started our Great Loop Adventure today. We want to thank all of our family and friends who spent time with us over the past weeks and all who have expressed well wishes. Mike and I are very excited to get this chance to experience this awesome adventure. Now sit back and enjoy the trip with us. We were up at 5:00 a.m. preparing the boat to get underway. We were underway at 6:00 a.m. Thanks to Heidi, Jarrod and Ozzie who were up to wave goodbye and take pictures of "Parrot Bay" as she headed down the river. Mike and I had a beautiful sunrise as we passed Consumers. At 6:30 a.m. "Parrot Bay" passed the freighter "Mississagi" at the pump out station in the river. At 10:00 a.m. we passed Gravelly Shoal Light. Mike and I had a beautiful boat ride with no wind and no waves. The only thing that occurred during our voyage were millions of tiny water gnats. Mike and I were black from head to toe with bug guts. Needless to say I was going to be doing some laundry when we arrived in Harrisville. "Parrot Bay" arrived at Harrisville at 3:40 p.m. heading to the gas dock to pump out the black water tank. "Parrot Bay" traveled at total of 80 miles today (total for the trip 80 miles). "Parrot Bay" was secured at slip #46 at 4:00 p.m. Harrisville Harbor. The harbor is currently under construction as they had numerous damaged docks from a winter storm that left them virtually inoperable. The marina just recently opened for business on June 20, 2018 but have much work that needs to be done. When we arrived at our dock we didn't have power because another boat caused the ground fault breaker to trip, but the harbormaster was working on getting power restored. "Parrot Bay" was only without power for a few minutes after getting tied up they isolated one of the sailboats down the dock that was tripping the breaker. Mike and I sat up on the flying bridge enjoying a bottle of champagne toasting the start of the Great Loop. The schooner "Madeline" from Traverse City came into Harrisville Harbor as she entered the harbor she fired her canons. The "Madeline" is very similar to the "Appledore" that is in the Saginaw River. Mike and I started a load of laundry after which the two of us walked 1/4 mile to the grocery store stocking up on a few items as we are hoping to head to Presque Isle on Thursday morning. Clouds moved in Mike and I waited for some rain. The plan for Thursday morning if the weather allows the we will move to Presque Isle but it is suppose to rain in the morning which may keep us in Harrisville. "Parrot Bay" will need enough time to get to Presque Isle before the winds pick up as they are suppose to gust to 40 miles per hour.