Looping with the Chequamegon Ark

We were joined by Dave Kraker last evening and went exploring by land today. Made the pilgrimage to the factory where my ski's were made and got the tour for how they were constructed - very cool! They have made a few improvements since my were made - time for a new pair. Did some wine tasting and looking at Torch lake. Hand drawn Lake Superior graphics may be in my future. Rough ash and poplar. trimmed and flex tested then sorted by flex to match the pairs prior to construction and again after Stacked stock organized by flex and ready for building. In the press to start the process. The wood pattern for what was going to be built today. Base options blue black and red. Bases with edges ready for the fiberglass and wood cores. In the final presser a pair of Ahmeek 105's. Ready to be cut apart and finished. My Shaggy Patriot's by Billy the goat in the living room at home.  

Another quiet day in Charlevoix - we hit the farmers market for some fresh produce, got in several dog walks and washed the Ark. Big winds on Lake Michigan are predicted for the next 3 days so we hope to stay tied to the dock and explore by land. Very large multi-level boat houses near the marina gas dock. Memorial to the WWII submarine casualties. These boats go over 90 mph and are really loud even when just idling in the marina. Charlevoix bridge - opens every half hour 8-8 daily for pleasure boat traffic.  

ROOKIE BLOGGERS SOMETIME BLOG TWICE A DAY. GOT SO EXCITED AFTER THE SEA TRIAL WE POSTED EARLY. Walked by the famous Charlevoix Mushroom houses and had some excellent beer, mussels and burger at Bridge Street Brewing. Many of these spread throughout town. Thatch roof is about 10-12 inches thick. This one looked like a gnome house.  

Sea trial today after Volvo tech work was a 98% success - none of the old low rpm close quarter issues but one 2 second hiccup at 1600 rpm in open water - wouldn't even think about except for the ongoing issues we have dealt with. Anyway we plan to head down lake as the weather and marina vacancies allow. Lake Charlevoix is a deep clear 11 mile long 90 foot deep  lake just off Lake Michigan - high rent district. More of Lake Charlevoix. Ditto. Round lake is a little quiet bay between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix - higher rent district and lined with large and small boat houses. Wonderful 5 star marina. More of Round Lake boat houses. Huge Round Lake boathouses. Brett is doing well and has settled into the Looping lifestyle nicely - so has his son and sidekick Storm.  

Volvo technician came today to rid the Ark of her electronic gremlins. He spent over an hour cleaning connectors and relays and testing what he could - the relay connections were impressively corroded! Hopefully we are good to go. Water test tomorrow weather permitting. Lots of big boats here in Charlevoix, helped one guy with a different but similar engine control problem keep from crushing a small boat and damaging himself on the dock this morning - we aren't the Lone Ranger as far as engine and control problems go. Round Lake is lined with huge boat houses. We are free to explore tomorrow and Thursday.  

We made the jump to Charlevoix today in calm seas and no gremlins - hard to believe my anti corrosion spray on all the connections solved the problem - so now we wait until a Volvo tech becomes available - sounds like it could be a few days but this is a 5 star marina and we have a few days to play with. The dogs prefer smooth water to choppy seas - kind of like their humans. Hard to schedule marinas when you don't know how long it will be to get the service work done. Learning more about patience - it may surprise many of you but it's not my strongest trait. This is from a few days back but that's the Yooper Dome in Marquette with the ski area in the back ground. Harbor lake development just outside Petoskey.  

We had a quiet Sunday in Petoskey, MI awaiting word from Bergman marine in Charlevoix as to when they can diagnose our electronic diesel control issues. 5 star marina with great dog walking area. We had a nice bike ride to the Meijers store for supplies - first mate loved the uphills with the free marina bikes. We met Susan and Greg Costa of the "Lucky Me" - gold loopers, talked over beer and pizza at the local brewpub. Now just waiting to hear back from the service guys. Enjoy every day! Photo of the marina - the Ark is lost among the big boats.