September weather has been a bit challenging!
Of the 30 days we've been aboard we've been able to travel 12 days. Miss Minn cruises under power at about 6 knots (about 7 mph) if the wind & waves cooperate. On a perfect sailing day she'll do 7-8 knots under sail alone.
We've had three "gales" to sit out, the last one in Port Austin with sustained winds of 35 mph and gusts over 50 - it sounded like a freight train and took three days to blow by! With the wind comes waves. We generally prefer a forecast for 3 foot waves or less as there always seems to be some overachievers out there.
This picture isn't a sunrise (it was taken about 11am). On sunny days Lake Huron is a gorgeous dark green/blue color. Unfortunately due to operator error (I pushed the wrong button) no pictures :-( We especially enjoyed the amazingly clear water of Presque Isle, the picturesque lighthouses we passed, and the friendly town of Harrisville.
The stormy weather has brought a few hitchhikers to our deck. This Flicker didn't stay long but we've also had a number of small flying critters, a very large dragonfly, and one unidentified warbler.
Between Port Austin and Port Sanilac we had two little visitors. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet crash landed onto the deck in a ball of feathers. He flew down into the cabin and finding a semi-flat surface composed himself. He had been flying in the company of a Golden-crowned Kinglet who called a few times then took off.
After a bit the Ruby-crowned came back on deck to do some exploring. Finding plenty of hitchhiking insects he decided to fuel up. To our surprise the Golden-crowned returned, called again a few times, then landed himself!
The Ruby-crowned seemed the hungrier of the two and hopped all around the deck, including on our hands, shoulders, & heads, in search of any edibles. After a bit the Golden-crowned joined in the feasting and for about an hour we had the company of these two tiny fluffballs.
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