Arriving at Put-in-Bay August 28, 2013

It was our plan to sneak into Put-in-Bay on Wednesday August 28 before any of our friends arrived so we could get settled in a great wall dock at Miller's Marina. We left Mentor Harbor Yachting Club early for the 80 mile trip. It was not a great boating day. If fact if we didn't have a schedule to keep we wouldn't have traveled on Lake Erie that day. But Wednesday was better than Tuesday and we wanted to be there on Wednesday so we left anyway. How ironic that after 420 days on the Great Loop our worst water was on Lake Erie on the last travel day? Have we learned nothing?

It was not a good day to travel. The wind was out of the west at about 15 mph causing Lake Erie to heave from west to east along the entire length of the lake. For our arrogance we took 3+ foot waves directly off the bow for about 8 hours. Four to five foot rogue waves hit every few minutes. It didn't calm even a little until well past Cleveland. We decided if we intended to do this that we should take a direct course taking us into the lake without access to harbors. Not a smart plan. We adjusted course a little to the south west after a while to take us closer to land so the waves hit on the forward starboard quarter as long as we could. That helped a little. But eventually we had to vere to the west. No way around it if we planned to go to PIB.

Worst travel day of the trip. What were we thinking? The first time we tried to keep to a schedule too. We have two lamps in the salon. These lamps that never moved during the other 420 days fell over this time - both landed on the floor! All the books on the floor. Back deck furniture moving all over the back deck. Bikes banging against the rear panel. Geesh... it was not good. Peanut butter for lunch - no time or calmness for making salads this time! It was a very long day.

With this direct route, we approached PIB across the north side of Kelly''s Island which offered a bit of protection but we had that bad water for at least 5 or 6 hours. I was a bit urpy but there was nothing we could do about it. Kermit got us safely through and the water calmed and the sun came out, just as called for in the script.

The water was actually a great reflection of the emotions swirling around in us both. I don't mean to get poetic or anything but both of us were feeling kind of wierd about finishing the loop and transitioning to land. We were concerned about the future. What would it feel like to be back in familiar territory? What would we do all day? Would we like being back with our friends?

We were with Michael and Judy on One September when they came home so we got to watch them make the transition. We were concerned. So I guess the choppy water was appropriate.

PIB was pretty quiet when we entered the harbor. I guess quiet is a relative term. Most, maybe all the 100+ mooring bouys were filled with boats. I guess lots of people came the weekend before and paid for the entire week to reserve a spot for the re-enactment weekend. We heard grumbling but too bad.

The mooring freld was pretty
well filled up already

Tall ship Windy, playing the part of the USS Lawrence

We called in to Miller's and Rich said, "hold on a minute out there till I finish mowing the lawn." Pretty funny! There were not too many boats in the public docks, Crew's Nest or Miller's Marina yet. At least we didn't see the 3 and 4 deep rafting we were told to expect. Most folks were coming in on Friday.

The Windy will be playing the part of
the Lawrence - flagship of the
American fleet

The only signs of the upcoming excitment were the four tall ships anchored at the public docks and the gazillion flags. It don't recall that many flags flying in PIB ever.

Kermit celebrating - we did it!

Rusty getting off the boat

Great place to dock!

We backed into a primo spot in the corner with wall access for Rusty, a picnic bench, and easy access to the bathrooms and the pavilion and the main street into town. Perfect! We never docked at Miller's before. It always seemed like folks had a lot of fun at Miller's. We usually stayed at Crew's Nest on F Dock just next door but Miller's is even better.

Nope, I am not getting back on
that boat and you can't make me

See how calm the water is now?
It wasn't like that 2 hours ago

Kermit celebrated with a cigar and drink, then we moved the furniture back into place and picked up the lamps and crap that fell over in the salon. Bikes came out of their bags and into the bike rack so we could have plenty of room on the back deck for visitors that would be coming in the next few days.

Miller's marina docks empty

Rusty wandering around at Miller's

Good Karma stands out alone at the dock

Rusty knew exactly where he was! He headed immediately for the boat ramp at PIB Yacht Club and got good and wet! Then he hung out next to the boat. We had a little trouble getting him back on the boat. He just didn't want to get back on!

Remember seeing this in Key
West? Yup, the same kind of market

We had plenty to do on Wednesday but we decided to relax a bit. We walked into town.

For our friends who have  never been to PIB, folks up these parts like to think of PIB as a northern extension of Key West. It is pretty here with lovely cottages and tree lined streets like Key West. It is warm like Key West. There are bars and music like Key West. The last point is the most important. On the weekends thousands of people pour off the ferries to fill the bars all day and late into the night. It is loud, crowded, and a lot of fun. Every generation gets something different out of it. We've been coming here for 20 years, since I was in my mid-30s, almost our oldest son Brett's age. We had a different partying experience then than we do now, as you can imagine. The place seemed wilder then but probably because we were wilder then too.

We headed into town for a quiet dinner at Mossbacks and early to bed. We were beat with the combination of the difficult boat ride and the emotions of being home. Technically we just crossed our wake. The ceremony would come later when our friends arrived.

Thursday we spent most of the day cleaning the boat, making beds, and checking our provisions in anticipation of having our sons and their girlfriends for the weekend. Brett and Julie were scheduled to arrive Thursday morning and Dan and Julia scheduled for Friday afternoon. We hadn't seen the kids since Christmas so we were pretty excited. And we wanted the boat to be comfortable.

Rafting a boat off of us -
they got on and off their boat from the stern
so the height difference between our boats
didn't really  matter

Friends started arriving on Thursday. First to arrive was Karen and Jim Sigmund. The pulled in on a dock on the other side of the pavilion. Karen was walking around and noticed the boat name. She said to herself, "I know a boat with that name" just as she stumbled on Kermit sitting at the picnic bench with a drink and a cigar. Got her!! She was surprised!!! One down 5 more to go!!

The rest of the folks came in on Friday morning. Boat started filling in the well next to us and all the available spaces.

Ron Feldner kept the secret!!

Ron and Julie rafted off of
Karen and Jim on Wanderer; Kermit
supervised

We surprised them all!! Everyone had a good chuckle about how Ron and Julie Feldner conspired with us to get us here this weekend. You see in April or May (I can't recall which) Kermit told Ron we wanted reservations for this weekend. They told the rest of the group all sorts of lies to keep our secret.

 Here comes Diane and Tom on Hawaii. You can tell when friends figure it out - it always involves a lot of pointing and smiling!!

Diane and Tom Steiber on Hawaii

Tom and Char Houser with Kevin and Vicki on Chaos -
checkout that world class excitement

It is hard to drive and be excited at
the same time

Lots of concentration to pull into
the marina

Paul Bates deep in concentration

Maeo Bates ready with lines

Maeo happy to see us

Eve Gribble

Now she sees us!!

Paul and Maeo were the funniest. Paul had total concentration while threading his way back into the well. He rafted off of another boat four deep. They didn't notice us for the longest time. Bill and Eve Gribble came in on BillEve.

Bill Gribble with Kermit

At Rattlesnake marina

Lots of people on one boat

Your marina has an airstrip, doesn't it? 

No cars allowed 

Brett Ruegamer (our son) and Julie Walsh (his girlfriend)

Ron had the weekend fully planned. After tying everyone up and lots of hugs, we all piled into Dust Cutter for a visit to Rattlesnake Island, an exclusive private island a few miles northwest of PIB. We've never been there. Actually most people have never been there.   The island is owned by 10 really wealthy folks from Detroit, Toledo and Cleveland who prefer a rustic, quiet get away. There are only a few houses on the island. They arrive by boat, airplane or helicopter to a little marina or airstrip on the island. I think there are more workers on the island than people.

Kermit and Brett at lunch

Char and Tom Houser having lunch

We ate around the pool with an amazing view

We looked like a clown car coming off Ron's boat! We had 24 people crammed on his 45 foot Sea Ray aft cabin. There were more people on Ron's boat than probably on the entire island!!

Rattlesnake Island dining room 

Kermit paying our bill - I think they
had to tap a vein

We piled on to a few golf carts to the club house by the swimming pool where we had a buffet lunch. Later we discovered that the hamburger, ribs, and salad we had, along with a few beers cost about $300 for 5 people (Kermit, me, Brett, and Julie). Now THAT is a buffet!! As they say, if you have to ask you can't afford it. We had to ask and we couldn't afford it!

The look surprisingly happy even after paying the bill
L: Kermit, Tom Houser, Bill Gribble

Waiting in the shade for the carts

Kermit in the clubhouse

The pool - notice the rich folks on the left

The view from the house - spectacular

Rattlesnake Island used to be a retreat house for the Cleveland Archdiocese who sold it to private owners a few years ago when the retreat business went into a decline. The buildings including the building by the swimming pool, the dining room, and a couple of buildings used as rental room and guest houses date from the retreat days. These old buildings have been refurbished as guest houses available for rent by members and members' friends. Now that we have been there we can request to stay at one of those houses if we want. I don't want to but it is reassuring to know the option is there.

We were so lively I am sure they
will never invite us back again!

We got invited to Rattlesnake because Ron knows a guy. Every story with Ron starts, "I know a guy" and of course he does. This fellow and his wife are building this house right off the air strip. They are a great couple and were very gracious. The house is beautiful. She regaled us with tales of building a house on an island without trucks. It is quite a trick. 

We went back to PIB to Miller's Marina for a rowdy evening. Everyone drank too much and laughed a ton. Ron made lamb chops and steaks while everyone contributed dishes. Dan and Julia arrived in the late afternoon so our family was all together again (except Marissa who called in!).

Rusty relaxed during dinner

Some observations: This guy came passed us in an odd peddle surf board. He circled our boats and then was gone. Odd.

We all drank too much, especially Paul Bates who had to be escorted to the bathroom then to his boat where he fell asleep where he landed on the couch. It was good to hug our friends and drink a toast or three to this great adventure and being together again.

Tom and Char came to PIB on Chaos planning to take the Jet Express back to Sandusky. When we surprised them they really regretted not having their boat! They came back on Saturday for most of the day including the dinner!

L: Kevin, Julia and Dan

L: Bill, Eve, and Ron 

L: Julia, and their friends - really great
people who did the loop 20 years ago
without all the fancy equipment we have now.
Now THAT is a real accomplishment!!

L: Kermit, Vicki, and Kevin

Next: THE Ohio State Marching Band and re-enactment excitement