2 die when sailboat capsizes during Mackinac race: 'A hell of a night'

This is tragic. Our prayers to the families. A pit in my stomach.

2 die when sailboat capsizes during Mackinac race: 'A hell of a night'

These were experienced sailors.

Blue skies and calm waters, Tracy

Stella and her good old generator

We are lucky that Stella has a generator.  It is used all the time.  When we first got her it didn't really work well, the previous owner was always docked with electricity so it was just barely maintained.  It was a bit of work to get it going last summer and then a real fix was done before launch this Spring and boy was it worth it.  The generator fires up with one switch plus it is not as loud as last summer.  The generator comes in handy for many things.  When we take day trips, like last weekend, out to the sand dunes on Lake Michigan,  as a gorgeous day starts fading we can decide to stay.  We will decide to have dinner on the boat on a whim.  The generator cranks up and we have full access to air conditioning, microwave, TV, etc.  So nice!  We were tempted to anchor for the night, which again is much easier if you have a generator.  We would not recommend buying a larger boat without one!

Well, last Monday night when the "straight winds" came through Holland and took out the whole Northsides power for a couple days, Stella was waiting for us!   Yup, so nice to have her close by.  We figured no electricity we might as well go see how Stella was doing and she was doing very nicely.  The generator worked fine, but we didn't need it for long as the dock power was restored quickly.  The next morning our neighborhood was fine too, but how nice having an unplanned night on Stella.  Weekdays are always fun at marinas, less people and no boat traffic.  The evening led to good stories and memories of our trip and where we might go next.  Great night on Stella!

Blue skies and calm water,

Tracy

Stella wishing on a star

The time as expected went too fast.  17 days, where did they go.  We have to count to see how many days since our return home.  Over three weeks?  How did that happen and yet we knew it would.  Wishing on a star that we could relive our trip on Stella.  Captain David and I were travelling yesterday and telling our little stories, sharing what pops into our minds first.  They aren't the same, but not that different in feeling.  It was the little things, the unexpected find, the bike rides and walks.  Funny, how we don't do those things at home, we could, but we don't.  All of us should look at our towns like we are tourists.  Go see what people visit and pay to see......the experience will give you something, maybe the feeling you were on a small vacation.  Or maybe you will give someone someone a residents insight that will make their visit special.  That happened to us and hopefully we will do the same for someone else this weekend.  So many things to do in Holland.  Saturday morning is the Chef series at the Farmers Market, hopefully the recipe is something we like!  If not, it doesn't matter, because we will be acting like tourists in a place we are fondly calling home.

http://www.hollandchamber.org/


Blue skies and calm water,

Tracy

4th of July Weekend

Stella is going to be getting cleaned and supplies loaded in a couple of hours.  She is headed out to check out Saugatuck, Michigan!  It will be a very crowded and busy harbor for sure.  Saugatuck boasts one of the top TEN beaches in the country and is a wonderful town for art and food!  We won't be able to dock Stella because reservations for this weekend are done far in advance, but we have a friend who said to stop by for a beer, so we are going!  Anchoring or rafting off is ok with Stella!  It feels so patriotic seeing our countries flag on Stella's stern.  Then when you add water and beach really breathtaking.  Captain David is ready to get moving.  Happy Fourth to all!

Blue skies and calm water,

Tracy

Thunder, Lightening and Men?

Stella knows this is a Holiday Weekend in the United States!  A great US Holiday, the fourth of July!  She is raring to go.  Being on a boat for fireworks is highly desirable and very dangerous!  Yes, the Yahoos are out in full force.  It is a disservice to all boaters and an unsafe practice not to follow "No Wake" signs.  No Wake means slow down and don't throw a wake! Duh!  Usually that sign is in place near marinas, gas docks, swimming areas, etc.  Last week a  (60 footer)decided he wasn't following the No wake sign near our dock.  An eight year old boy was tossed off his docked boat by the rocking the wake caused.  Luckily, the young boy has grown up on boats and is pretty agile and managed to take the toss and turn it into a leap onto the dock...but it could have been fatal!  Yes, a pretty large number of boating fatalities happen at the dock!  In this instance if the boy had fallen off his boat between the rocking boat and the dock, he could have hit his head and drowned, been badly cut, so many potential deadly scenerios and thank God none of them happened.  So, on this holiday, if you are the Captian or just a guest (speak up, yes that bad stomach feeling isn't sea sickness) and...slow down!  Your wake and boating decisions affect everyone.  I don't know a boater that doesn't have a bad story to tell.  Stella's Admiral is on a preaching run!  So, my last suggestion is don't go out in lightening!  Again, a good idea, that is ignored!  Last night Captain David so wanted to take his son out on Stella, but there was thunder and lightening.  Captain David we know is pretty sensible, but the other boaters that were going out and his son were egging him on.  Again, it is the Admiral out on the bow in the lightening and rain, so you know going out was ruled out!  It is hard when you have invited guests, it is hard on a holiday, it is hard when you see other boaters still going out....but Stella's advise is DON'T!  Please be safe this weekend.

Blue skies and calm water,

Tracy