“Wheels up” at 6:00 am on July 12, 2017 leaving the Detroit Boat Basin on our way to Port Clinton Ohio. We passed through downtown Detroit and rode the current down the Detroit River and out into Lake Erie. Just as we were leaving the fairly narrow Detroit River channel as the river flows into Lake Erie, we met a very wide approaching freighter. Much better there then at a more narrow spot on the channel.  The wave heights on Lake Erie were higher then our comfort zone today, 2 – 4 feet, our comfort zone (when we can stand, walk, set our coffee/beer on the counter, make lunch… And never feel like we’re moving on water!) is more in the 2 ft or less range.  But we made good time sitting on our butts and reached Port Clinton at 1:00 pm.

Our marina is a half-mile up the Portage River. With the recent heavy rains making the river current swift, the strong southwest winds, and the tight marina maze, it made for a high “pucker factor” arrival into Brands Marina. Besides the wind and current there are a couple tight 90 degree turns both to port and starboard and then a thread the needle maneuver into the slip! But Steve did it awesomely!! It was a pleasant surprise to pull in next to another Fleming!

We had a blast with our friends that we met in Punta Gorda, Florida who also have condos in Port Clinton…happy hours, barbecues, boat trips and several stops at the Bait House!!  We were spending a couple weeks at Brands Marina to have the boat hauled for new bottom paint and her new name, plus a couple other minor repairs/improvements. It was great to spend some time in Ohio with our Florida friends!  Thank you Rich, Michael, Steve, Susan, Bob, Susie, Eric, Tim and Deb for an awesome couple of weeks!!!

Splash day!  Who Cares splashed on August 1st with new bottom paint and her rightful name!

Detroit

A passing Freightliner!

A fun place, the Bait House! Muddy waters due to heavy rains upriver.

Blessed Again our Fleming neighbor

Our Fleming neighbor

Dock’s Beach House Bar and Grille on Lake Erie

The view from Dock’s Beach House

The Bait House on the river

Bootleggers Bar and Grill

Rich’s cool car!

Rich in his car, Steve on the bench in front of our favorite coffee spot, Coffee Express

May flies came in last night with the north wind! Yuck!!!

Piles of may flies under the all night spot lights!! double yuck!!!!

A really nice Veterans Park in Port Clinton

The boat hauled and put in a shed for bottom paint and her new name!

Splash day! She has new bottom paint and her rightful name!!

ooooo! Much better!!! Who Cares!!!