Marquette at its Finest!

A great video of the Tall Ships entering Marquette Harbor!  It was spectacular sailing alongside these beauties.  Nick, the fella with the beard, captains a local schooner, Coaster II, for 2 hour, 4 hour and sunset cruises.  His son, one of the lads hoisting a sail in this video, was recently hired as crew on Pride of Baltimore II.  What an adventure!  

Sailing the Keweenaw

A quiet evening at Bete Grise Bay on the Eastern shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula.  The post title links to more pictures from our trip and a short video to get the full experience!  It was six wonderful days with my husband and without cell coverage!

Sailing with the Tall Ships

Had the pleasure of sailing with Pride of Baltimore II, Lynx and Coaster II this weekend.  The history of Pride of Baltimore is quite interesting. I found this great site that explains the tragic story of the original Pride of Baltimore that was built in 1977 and sank in 1986. Pride of Baltimore.  This ship, Pride II was commissioned in 1988 as a sailing memorial to the original Pride.  The ship has a special meaning to us as several years ago my in-laws gave us a framed photograph of the original Pride of Baltimore sailing with Wander Bird near the Golden Gate Bridge.  Wander Bird itself has a fascinating story and has special meaning to my husband who watched her undergo an extensive renovation in Sausalito, CA.  Here's a short article that summarizes the story, The Bird has Flown.
Top photo taken near the Marquette break wall, July 23, 2011.  Bottom photo is Wander Bird and may well have been taken the same day as the picture in our living room.

Fourth of July in Marquette!

This is what we refer to as "the wall", where boaters can tie up for the day and listen to live music from the International Food Fest in the park.  We've been tying up just in front of the coast guard boat these past few days after sailing.  If you're in Marquette, stop on down and visit.

Can you spot the eagle?

Spotted this guy while sailing along Pictured Rocks last week. We could see him from quite far away, and with the binoculars could tell that he's huge! Hint: if you click on the photo, it will enlarge.

Launch day

Put Zephyr in the water last Monday.  Still a bit chilly on the lake.  No matter how warm the air is, Lake Superior is one big refrigerator this time of year.