June 20-21, Hessel, MI

Freighter goes by DeTour Village in the fog.

We planned to move with good weather, from DeTour Village around into Lake Huron, to the Les Cheneaux Islands and the city of Cedarville. As we got up and around this morning, we found there was no wind but the fog had settled in so thick we could not see more than a hundred yards. Our dock master said the fog usually clears by 11 am plus or minus, so we decided we would go after the fog lifted. So we finally got underway about 1:30.

DeTour Reef Light.
Now available to rent.

Martin Reef Light. Skies are clearing.

The wind was light and we had a nice twenty mile cruise to Cedarville but found the marina had closed at 2pm so we went on another 3 miles to Hessel.

Vacation homes in the Les Cheneaux Island area.

The Les Cheneaux Islands are a summer resort area and very pretty. So our cruise through their harbors was nice and the people in Hessel are exceptional. We needed a 30 amp extension cord and they went out of their way to get one for us. I don't think they get many boats early in the season and they were happy to have us.

Hessel Marina.

Hessel Grocery. Great breakfast.

Nice restaurant next to the marina.

Hessel has a population of about 200 and is a center of wooden boat restoration. They have an antique wooden boat show in August that is well received and widely attended. We saw several examples of these boat in the harbor. The one's we saw were being used and are not just for 'show'.

1947 Chris Craft.

Early Chris Craft.

Beautiful weather now, 75 and clear in the daytime, mid 50's overnight. Water temperature is 67 in this protected area and we do see a few people swimming. Not many and not us.

Fish fly is attracted to the boat.

Hundreds of fish flies cover the boat. They do not bite. Just a nuisance.