Drummond Island, MI

We set off for our re-entry to the USA at 8 a.m on Monday August 27.  We were headed for Drummond Island, MI, a popular and convenient place to go through customs. We were anticipating that the weather would be worse the following day and we may not want to make the longer passage on Lake Huron under windy or stormy conditions.  By  9 a.m. we realized that the seas were comfortable enough that we could bypass Drummond Island and make a longer day’s cruise all the way to Cheboygan.  This would save us from the following day being a down day because the weather was expected to deteriorate.  We contacted Cheboygan to see if we could go through Customs there but it wasn’t possible. Jonny had already tried to go through the online process for Customs but because of poor connectivity we couldn’t complete the process.  Though we tried every possible alternative, we had to stay with our original plan of going to Drummond Island.  We arrived at the Drummond Harbor Yacht Haven at 12:15 and tied up next to an amazing vessel (more on that later).  Jonny went up to Customs alone because that’s what is required in Canada.  Shortly after, he called Lynn to join him which is required coming in to the U.S.

Because Lynn had awakened that morning with her eyes more swollen than ever, she decided to call her opthamologist who had offered to call in a prescription for a steroid.  It was a little complicated.  There is no pharmacy on Drummond Island but if the doctor called in the prescription to the off-island pharmacy by 1 p.m., the pharmacy would deliver it to the medical center that is just a mile and a half from the marina.  Dr. Rubin promptly called it in and both the pharmacy and medical center stayed in touch with Lynn all afternoon describing the status of the prescription.  By 4:30, Jonny took Lynn’s bike (having discovered that his had a flat tire) to drive through town to the medical center in this tiny community to pick up the prescription and stop at the grocery store to get a few items.

Our marina experience was enhanced by the discovery of some fellow cruisers who we had first met going through the locks on the Trent-Severn.  We enjoyed hearing about some fun adventures they had in the North Channel including meeting the couple whose boat was boarded by a bear!  

We were docked next to an amazing sailboat called the Huron Jewel.  This newly launched 78 foot gaff-rigged schooner was designed and built by an incredible boat maker named Captain Hugh Covert.  He has extensive experience building boats and this one was based on the design of a 19th century clipper-type Virginia pilot schooner.  He had just launched it with great fanfare and was just finishing up some last minute details.  It is available for day sails, windjammer cruises, weddings and other special events.  It was a very impressive boat!

That evening Jonny made perfectly grilled lamb chops and we ate them with some local corn-on-the cob and salad.  We spent the rest of the evening catching up with friends by phone.  When we were ready to go to bed, we realized that Georgio was missing again.  Lynn went out onto the dock with a flashlight.  Fortunately some boaters had just seen Georgio strolling down the dock and Lynn found him two finger piers down from Zendo sitting next to a similar looking trawler looking as if he wanted to climb back on.  Greatly relieved, she scooped him up in her arms, gently admonished him and brought him home, Yes, we know we have to keep a better eye on him!!