Start of a new season....

Noticing that there were no posts for 2011? Yeah, no comment. I'm certain 2012 will be far more productive (like it could be any less productive???)!

Last Friday, May 11th, Blue Ayes successfully "splashed" to commence another season of boating, fishing, and enjoyment around Lake Superior's emerald archipelago, the Apostle Islands. Here she is, rolling across the pavement, still in her cradle:

The early onset of spring, as desirable as it was, likely pushed up the salmon run. As such, our fishing attempts on Saturday yielded no ichthyic dividends. Disappointment, however, was not to be found! The day presented sunny and beautiful, and the crew was pleased to simply be out on the water. This year we've committed to upgrading the interior with new curtains, salon settee cushions, and pillows. Stay tuned for some stunning "before" and "after" pictures!

 Anchors Aweigh!

Life on the High Seas

So our vacation didn't go quite as planned. Huh. Imagine that. We left three days late, and came back two days early, but we managed to pack in some amazing experiences. Quality not quantity, right?

Red sky at night, sailor's delight.....the quiet yet spectacular display over York Island proved an accurate catalyst for the events that lie in store. I'm not sure it gets much more beautiful than this, homemade by Mother Nature herself:

We headed for Superior/Duluth to see Brittany who had just moved back a few days prior. Trips to the canal park area provided plenty of fun and entertainment. A visit to the Great Lakes Aquarium offered a chance to learn more about the lake we so love, and the opportunity to get up close and personal with stingrays and sturgeon! "Mysteries of the Great Lakes" was playing at the Omnimax. Although we'd seen the show before, we watched again with interest, knowing that many of the aeiral shots were taken from a Cessna flown by Matt's flight instructor, Jeff Melau. Too cool! We wrapped up with some shopping, ice cream, and people watching.
Prefering the unrestricted company of her sister, Brooke stayed behind in Superior while Matt and I ventured back to the Apostles. As we approached Superior Entry to greet the Big Lake, we were met with a rare treat - an up close and personal look at a 1000 foot laker. The Burns Harbor was coming into port as we were attempting to leave. Five short blasts from her horn signaled that we should move from our present position to make way, so we drove along side this tremendous hulking steel figure. She came close to a full stop for us. I'm not sure this kind of opportunity will ever present itself again....once in a lifetime, no doubt.

The BURNS HARBOR

Built in 1980

1000 feet LOA

Our expectations for unusual experiences was not high after a meet and greet with the Burns Harbor, but we were treated to an array of tall ships staging for an afternoon parade near the Duluth Entry. So, off we went! The cutter Sundew (to the left) lead the parade into the harbor, followed by eight tall ships entering in three flights. I'm sure the folks lined up in Canal Park were treated to an awesome display!

The day prior, we had been offered a ride on the Sundew for the next day, but we declined given our plans to head back to the Apostles. Had we known we would have been part of the tall ship parade, our answer would have certainly changed! Of course, we would have missed our chance meeting with the Burns Harbor. Everything worked out just fine. Here's the tall ship HMS Bounty, sails billowing in the wind, ready to greet the city of Duluth:

We may consider ways to rendezvous with with these beauties next summer! Wouldn't it be fun to be a part of their staging process?!!!

Stay tuned.....more adventures to be posted soon!

And so begins The Season

Our first night on the boat for the season is marked by calm winds and stunning display of color as the sun sets on another beautiful Superior day. Ah, to be back!!

As always, it's a typical busy start to the season. Bedding, towels, and upholstery have been washed. He hull has been cleaned and waxed. In addition to cleaning the inside, all interior teak has been massaged to rich vibrant tones with a fresh application of oil. Both staterooms now boast new memory foam mattresses. Cradled in comfort, rocked by the gentle waves....we look forward to a season of rest and rejuvenation.

Tomorrow brings the yacht club fishing contest and while we typically participate (and sometimes win!), it's likely we will instead continue bringing Blue Ayes back to ship-shape condition. We'll engage in the afternoon festivities of cocktails, dinner, and membership meeting with good friends that have spent the last several months scattered to their respective corners of the upper Midwest. It's good to be together again.

Watching Buttons, it seems like she never left the boat. No doubt she is anxious for a trip to the islands where she'll be treated to "dinghy rides" and romps on the beach. Can you blame her?

The next few months have a myriad of suprises in store. What might they be?? Will the fish be plentiful? The dive sites clear? Will island secrets reveal themselves? Are there new friends to be made?

And so begins more Adventures of Blue Ayes....

It's Official!

The ice is......OUT!

Each spring we anticipate the date in which the ice is officially gone from the Chequamegon Bay area, marking the dawn of another boating season on the greatest of the Great Lakes.





The Bayfield Harbor surely presents an enticing summer-like image, even though the calendar reminds us that spring has only just officially emerged. No matter....the time has definitely come to peruse the West Marine catalog one last time and start planning for a new round of adventures, Blue Ayes style.

Ice, Ice, Baby

While perusing the latest edition of our marina's newletter, The Washburn Waves, I was immediately drawn to a small paragraph addressing the "state of the lake." While there is still plenty of ice in the Chequamegon Bay and around the Apostle Islands at this time, the rest of the lake is largely open. What this means is that there is a better than average chance that the ice will be "out" earlier than normal. Typically we see ice-free conditions in mid-April....sometimes sooner, sometimes later. Never early enough. But in any case, it seems that Mother Nature may be showing her benevolent side this season.

What this ALSO means is that we best get going on the new interior. First up, a trip to the boat to retrieve the interior saloon cushions and curtains. Next stop, LaCrosse, to make final fabric choices and get this project moving along.

Blue Ayes, it won't be long now!