Tugboat Annie's 2025 Return To The North Channel

It was a nice but noisy night on Annie. The wind blew most of the night, generating little waves that slapped on Annie's hull. It seemed like I was awake all night, but my Fitbit gave me an 86 sleep score. Not sue I believe it, but it would tie my highest ever if it's right. The weather looks good for our trip to Gore Bay today. We plan to get fuel, a pumpout, groceries, a haircut for me and to wash and fold up our dingy. Then we will head out tomorrow to meet up with Peter and Marianna again. The midweek weather for crossing to Michigan does not look great this morning, so we'll have to watch the weather closely. Yesterday, Thursday looked like a good day. The trip to Gore  Bay took about 2 1/2 hours and was 17.8 miles. It was breezier than I thought it was going to be, about 12 knots, but behind us. The waves gave us a little push along. We stopped at the fuel dock for diesel and a pumpout, then motored to Dock "F", our favorite. Kerry got two loads of laundry i...

I heard the water slapping on the hull this morning so I knew the wind had picked up. I got up to see which way we were facing. We had turned around and were pointed at Heart Tug, but still a comfortable distance away. I was worried that we might be too close if the wind direction changed. We were 75 yards apart with the wind blowing us away from them. But we have 125' of scope out because it is so deep here, so how close would we be if the wind blew us towards them? I had no clue.  It was a bright, beautiful, sunny morning. Obviously the sign of a good day to come. I made a nice cup of coffee, posted the blog and balanced my checking accounts - all before 7:15. Kerry and I went to bed really early last night as we were pooped, so I was up and at 'em this morning. I did my first weather check for our trip home and it looks now like Thursday would be a good day to travel to Michigan.  The decision of the judges for Photo Contest 7 is now posted. Check it out. Kerry was the winn...

Do you ever wake up in the morning wondering if it's going to be a good day? Well, when you forget to put your coffee cup under the Keurig and all the coffee spills on the counter, you have a clue. Last night wasn't good either. I had just a 63 sleep score. I kept thinking about our impending trip home and could not get my mind to shut down.  Last night Peter and I agreed that we would fish this morning. But, we have a new catch (hopefully) and release plan. Neither of us likes to kill and clean fish and we were both surprisingly relieved when Peter suggested this and we agreed to it. No need for a fish bonker or a fish bucket.  I started out using leftover shrimp and linguine from last night's dinner. I felt confident, although I should not have as it turns out. Peter used a little minnow lure and caught two medium sized bass, and had two got-a-ways.  I then tried our fancy hardware store lure and caught a perch almost as big as the lure. The scenery while fishing was gr...

I was up early to post the blog as usual. I got the princess up at 7:45, which was unusual, to go on a dinghy tour of the harbor with me. It was a little cool but still a nice ride. The harbor is long and we rode all the way to the other end, taking pictures and enjoying the scenery. We only used 16% of our battery and it was all charged up during our trip to Gibson Cove. Following are some photos we took this morning in Moiles Harbor. One thing worth mentioning about Moiles is that Annie has had almost no bugs on her in two days of anchoring.  Hurry to shore, Daddy! Former dock. Expensive Tea Holder The trip today was pleasant and mostly uneventful. There is one narrow passage where you announce that you are passing through, when and what direction. Two boats won't fit past each other because of water level rocks and you can't see someone entering from the other side. It's called Little Detroit. I had to wait for one boat to clear and another boat waited for me to clear. B...

Well, we made it safely through the night. It rained all night, very hard at times. From time to time I heard gusts of wind, but I don't think it was particularly windy. I got up a couple of times to check our position. I couldn't see much because of the rain and because of the steamed up windows. But from their anchor lights, I was able to see that the sailboats were still in the same position relative to us as before. Our dinghy was still securely tied to Annie too. Kerry said she had trouble sleeping as she was worrying about the anchor dragging. I think I was able to reassure her that we were fine, safe and secure. She finally did get to sleep. I really was not worried. I was surprised this morning to see an additional small sailboat anchored near us. He must have arrived late and anchored in some nasty conditions.  The weather forecast for today is for the rain to stop at 8:00, the winds to remain about 13 MPH before starting to diminish mid afternoon, and for the sun to p...

Photo Contest 7, Boat names,  is being judged by Jim and Jola. The criteria is that the boat name must be accompanied by a picture of it on the boat. Good luck judges! The decision of the judges is final! Photo number 1, by Kerry, is the winner. The name standing out in white against a black hull which is that of a very interesting and dramatic subject boat. Contest winner photo by Kerry - congratulations! Photo no.2 The colorful kayaks detract from the contest goal, the name is not prominent in the photo, by Peter. Look up the meaning of this name Photo no. 3 The name a indicating a meaning on what looks like a boat not inspiring. Photo by Marianna. Photo no. 4 Second place  - a great find of a name which looks like a carefully crafted piece of art on the stern of a pristine transom. Photo by Don.

Another beautiful morning and wonderful night. We have been blessed with the weather this trip. We've only had rain one day in the NC, and have not really had any strong winds to deal with or hide from. It is supposed to be windy this afternoon and tomorrow however.  Gwynne Bay where we have been anchored has been pleasant. It's a new anchorage for us and is a niee alternative when Long Point Cove is too full. Also, it has far fewer bugs than Amendroz had. The mop has been able to handle the morning boat cleaning which has been very nice.  Peter rowed over for his cappuccino and donuts. I enjoyed a second cup of coffee. He said they had decided to go to Gore Bay even without hearing from Norm. The forecast is for higher winds and Marianna likes to be in town during a blow. Later he heard from Norm that he would look at the motor when he arrived.  Port side channel marker in the Whalesback Channel We tooted goodbye at 9:45. Our trip to Moiles was as pleasant as could be, a...