July 18, 2021, Sunday, Vermilion Yacht Club

We really had a good day with Anne and the kids yesterday. I woke up thinking about how much fun it was. That was at 5;20 this morning. Way to early to get up. I did not turn NPR on as I usually do because of the sleeping crew in the main cabin. I dozed on and off until about 7:45 when Kerry threatened me with my life if I woke up all the sleeping babies. I promised to be quiet. 

Of course I could not get to my coffee pot or computer to blog as both were in the main cabin. So I got the mop and cleaned spider webs and green bug poo off Annie. I could not believe the number of spider webs we had. I resolved to go on a spider hunt tonight.

About 8:45 everyone got up and at 'em. I started cooking bacon once we had cleared the cabin of bed clothes and such. We have a tiny microwave on Annie so it took almost an hour to cook  1 1/2 pounds of bacon. Kerry toasted bagels, sliced fruit and made breakfast tacos which is what the kids wanted. So with that and coffee, tea, milk and fruit juice we had a very pleasant breakfast. 

Anne does a great job of getting all three kids to agree on a plan of action. It did take awhile this morning but finally it was decided to go to the marina pool, followed by a visit to the water park. I walked the kids to the pool while Kerry and Anne made a trip to the car with bedclothes and such. We had to leave the Clarks at the pool at 11:00 because that is the time we are told to vacate the marina. We were sorry to say goodbye and missed them as soon as we parted. 

We had the boat cleaned up and left the marina at 11:30. We had a leisurely trip home at about 8 knots. The seas were annoyingly rocking the boat even though they were much smaller than yesterday and the winds were only about 10 knots. Kerry felt nauseated so slept after she made a BLT for me for lunch. I fussed with phone chargers and shopped on Amazon while we traveled. 

Jimbo had called earlier to warm me about a really strong current flowing out of the Vermilion River, one that carried all sorts of trees and logs with it. Then on the way home the Coast Guard issued a special marine warning for the Vermilion River for debris flowing out of it. Wow.

The river was just as they stated when we arrived, The current must have been 4-6 knots and we had to swerve around logs. I heard one thud as something hit Annie on the way in. We really had to power in to maintain control. We had a big wake even though the GPS said we were only going 3.1 knots over the ground. I used the bow and stern thrusters to help me turn safely into our lagoon as the current was swirling around at the mouth of the channel. We filled with fuel and pumped out once we landed. Later we saw a big cigarette boat slam into a city dock while trying to dock in the hazardous conditions.

Much to my delight Gary told me there were 2 leftover donuts in the club refrigerator. So I got a glazed donut after all and Kerry got her favorite maple frosted one. I did have to scrape pink icing off mine. What a weekend.

Jim and Jola came over to help us eat our extra pizza. Jola's brother, David, and friend Margarite came too. We had cocktails and pistachios on Annie before going for pizza and Jola's delicious fresh Greek salad on the club patio. We all get along well and it was a pleasant dinner.

It turned out to be a fun and beautiful weekend. I was so glad I decided to bite the bullet and take off in the face of uncomfortable conditions. If it was not for meeting Anne and the kids I am sure I would have made a different decision about traveling in those conditions. But we were all so glad we made it happen. 

Jimbo is coming over for coffee tomorrow at 8:30 and Peter is coming at noon-ish to plan our forthcoming cruise up to Port Huron and beyond. After that we will head home and pick up the pups on the way.