What do fuel filters and Barn Theatre have to do with each other? Harmony, that's what. Last night, Captain David was a little edgy. A fuel filter had leaked pretty badly yesterday and that is dangerous business. Preparing for the worst, he ordered three more fuel filters from the Marina. We have one on board, but David wasn't sure if one or all three fuel filters were leaking. Captain David also wanted me to point out that our fuel filters are not normal and not easy to change. We figure the original owner of Stella, who was an engineer, re-configured them. Now, don't hold the Admiral to being perfectly versed in engine mechanics, I just am trying to re-tell the Captains explanation and why he was hoping a mechanic would not be needed. We are grateful we found the leak, but Stella smelled to high heaven last night. David worked on cleaning it up, to no avail. It was hot, Guinness had been sick all day and no air conditioner upon docking as we had to air out the boat. Crankiness???? Oh, yeah! I finally found a refuge from the sun and heat on the bridge where Guinness and I took a 2 hour nap. I felt bad for the Captain, as he had gotten us here safely, had passed the Canadian inquisition, avoided weather, and now hotter than heck was in the bilge checking, cleaning, checking and cleaning again. Basically, it was not a fun night, so much so I couldn't even write about it! So today, I was to leave for a couple of hours, to give him space and time to repair the filters. We both agreed on this for sure! So off I go to the VERY small town of Sanilac! What was I going to do for 2 hours? Super windy day and I had just done my hair! I was a funny sight..looking out of place with my yoga outfit and scarf! Up the hill was the main street, I knew to head south as the Historical Museum was south of town. I passed a total of four stores and then I was in Northern Michigan walking along a road to where? Seriously, I was laughing at how I must have looked. About half an hour down the road and after almost turning back, I finally came across the museum. Very beautiful old Georgian Colonial that now also included a replica of the small village back in the day. To the left was the old Barn. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be "The Barn Theatre". Wow! It was so unique, I wanted to go in and did! Inside was the most wonderful community stage, lighting and all. Plywood and folding metal chairs made up the tiered seating. The old barn rafters used for lighting. Birch tree logs held up the lighting booth. The stage again, plywood and whatever they had to make the rustic stage. I met Stephen and Kelly, Stephen an actor and Kelly the stage manager. Stephen gave me the history on The Barn Theatre. At one time, it was the #2 attraction for Port Sanilac, next to the waterfront! They were so nice and allowed me to take pictures and I promised that if we had to stay another night, I was going to attend their opening night on Thurs. I was secretly hoping that boat problems would make us stay so I could see this wonderful Barn in action. As I walked back to Stella, I stopped by Raymond Hardware, the oldest Michigan Hardware Store founded in 1850! Bought a gift for David in that store, screen door savers so no one will walk through Stella's screen anymore! What a fun time and I had given David the time he needed! When I got on board David was just coming out and said he think he had fixed it! The next test was could I smell anything? I went through the boat like the bloodhound I am.....and nothing!!! No gas smell anywhere! I am happy, David is happy, Guinness is happy. I will miss not attending The Barn Theatre opening night, but my visit there is cherished and the harmony it helped create.
Blue skies and calm water, Tracy
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
Boating. It is.. the most wonderful fun with a big load of work mixed in. I find myself longing for the times boat chores are done and Captain David and the Admiral can share real down time on Stella. Yesterday was going to be that day. Short ride to Port Sanilac. Staying for a day to ride out "Windy Wednesday". Positioned to cross Saginaw Bay Thursday.
Yesterday morning was beautiful. My biggest task was getting a picture of The Blue Water Bridge for my mother-in-law(grew up in Crosswell). She doesn't remember seeing it as a young girl, but now we know it was there, she was just interested in meeting the boys from Port Huron, must have distracted her from noticing THE BIG bridge. HaHa love you Mom!
Got the picture of the bridge, also got a BIG dose of THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE! Stella was cruising in the St. Clair river, albeit, on the Canadian side giving some freighters room. Next thing the Admiral knows we are slowing way down? What? Captain David informs me we are being pulled over. I look ahead and see a boat booking fast with lights towards us! Great. The RCMP said do you know you are in Canadian waters, we said yes. They said they were going to do a safety check. Oh, the first born type A Admiral was on it! Yes, my prep, was going to save us!! The first question asked Captain was if we had any firearms or weapons of any kind on boat. We said no. Then the safety part started. Life jackets..check and I got to tell them they were new etc. I was talking fast so they would like me! They liked my life jackets, but asked for more. Got the bag with 6 more, we have like 20 of em on board, registration. check. floatation device. check. CURRENT flares. We had a box of them and flare gun. All flares expired..not good. BUT, we had gotten new ones and those were on the bridge. So check, they didn't ask to see them up close. Admiral was starting to sweat running around. Asked if we had firearms, again. Admiral is chatting it up and taking pictures!! Rest of safety questions. check. Chit Chat starts, Good Cop/Bad Cop characters totally defined. Bad Cop asks one more time, do we have firearms aboard! Captain David grants permission to come aboard to check. They decline...we are done! Good Cop gives Admiral the RCMP "official" key chain float!!! I love being a good girl scout...I got a badge! I am so excited, inside David is cracking up! More chitchat about our trip as their boat is rubbing and making marks on Stella..smile, smile. But, we must have been so engaging, the Good Cop, asked me if I wanted ANOTHER key chain float!!! Ohhhhhh Yahhhhhhh! So pumped at this point!
Note: They told us a lot of Americans have guns on their boats. Even with a permit, Canada is no tolerance, so you will be fined, probably pulled to a Port for a check and you can be arrested. That is for a gun with a permit. So...don't think a permit will be ok. FYI
So off we go, happy to have checked out. Arrived in Port Sanilac.......and Captain David discovers gas(fume detector light) in the bilge....that story to come.
Blue skies and calm water, Tracy
Yesterday morning was beautiful. My biggest task was getting a picture of The Blue Water Bridge for my mother-in-law(grew up in Crosswell). She doesn't remember seeing it as a young girl, but now we know it was there, she was just interested in meeting the boys from Port Huron, must have distracted her from noticing THE BIG bridge. HaHa love you Mom!
Got the picture of the bridge, also got a BIG dose of THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE! Stella was cruising in the St. Clair river, albeit, on the Canadian side giving some freighters room. Next thing the Admiral knows we are slowing way down? What? Captain David informs me we are being pulled over. I look ahead and see a boat booking fast with lights towards us! Great. The RCMP said do you know you are in Canadian waters, we said yes. They said they were going to do a safety check. Oh, the first born type A Admiral was on it! Yes, my prep, was going to save us!! The first question asked Captain was if we had any firearms or weapons of any kind on boat. We said no. Then the safety part started. Life jackets..check and I got to tell them they were new etc. I was talking fast so they would like me! They liked my life jackets, but asked for more. Got the bag with 6 more, we have like 20 of em on board, registration. check. floatation device. check. CURRENT flares. We had a box of them and flare gun. All flares expired..not good. BUT, we had gotten new ones and those were on the bridge. So check, they didn't ask to see them up close. Admiral was starting to sweat running around. Asked if we had firearms, again. Admiral is chatting it up and taking pictures!! Rest of safety questions. check. Chit Chat starts, Good Cop/Bad Cop characters totally defined. Bad Cop asks one more time, do we have firearms aboard! Captain David grants permission to come aboard to check. They decline...we are done! Good Cop gives Admiral the RCMP "official" key chain float!!! I love being a good girl scout...I got a badge! I am so excited, inside David is cracking up! More chitchat about our trip as their boat is rubbing and making marks on Stella..smile, smile. But, we must have been so engaging, the Good Cop, asked me if I wanted ANOTHER key chain float!!! Ohhhhhh Yahhhhhhh! So pumped at this point!
Note: They told us a lot of Americans have guns on their boats. Even with a permit, Canada is no tolerance, so you will be fined, probably pulled to a Port for a check and you can be arrested. That is for a gun with a permit. So...don't think a permit will be ok. FYI
So off we go, happy to have checked out. Arrived in Port Sanilac.......and Captain David discovers gas(fume detector light) in the bilge....that story to come.
Blue skies and calm water, Tracy
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