During the GM Shutdown, the 4-C's traveled across the state of Michigan, fishing out of various ports on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. We covered a lot of miles across the state, and on the crystal fresh waters of our great state!
June 30th - July 1st, Grindstone City
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| Uncle Randy fights a steelhead. |
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| Craig with a 10+ pound steelhead. So much fun, beautiful fish and good eating! |
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| Aunt Rita and Uncle Randy work to land a steelhead double while Captain Craig supervises. |
We caught a total of 4 steelhead and a pink salmon out of Grindstone.
July 1st, First Baptist Church, Milford
We enjoyed an evening concert and time of worship with Cedarville University's "Heartsong" - Orange Team. They are a talented group of young musicians who love the Lord.
We are always excited to see Brandon perform his magic on the keyboard.
July 3rd-4th, Veteran's Memorial Marina, Arcadia
Craig and I enjoyed a beautiful evening on the water. It was calm,quiet and relaxing, except when we heard the screaming drag as line peeled off the reels of the dipsey rods. Fun times!
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| Sunset on Lake Michigan |
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| 4 Nice King Salmon - 3 were ~15#, the smallest was ~8#. |
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| The moon was large was beautiful! |
After the fish were cleaned, we enjoyed some quiet time appreciating the beauty of the moonlit sky and each other's company with a "glass" of O'Brien wine.
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| The sunrise sky was beautiful! |
We ended the trip with a total of 8 King Salmon.
July 4th - Independence Day Celebration
Knables' Kottage, Bear Lake
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| Annual "Sisters and Sisters" photo - Julie, Nonna, Aunt Rita, and Cheryl |
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| Patriotic R&R enjoying the Cruise |
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| The boys follow closely. |
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The Family - Julie, Cheryl
Gramps, Nonna |
July 5th - Higgins Lake State Park
Civilian Conservation Corps
So glad that Uncle Randy suggested going here. We (our government, that is) could learn a few things from studying this history. Instead of giving handouts, give people a sense of self respect, purpose, and training for a better future...
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| Craig and Uncle Randy & the Fire Tower |
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| Aunt Rita and Uncle Randy chillin' in the Icehouse. |
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| Uncle Randy, Chris, Jake, and Aunt Rita by the CCC Worker Monument |
July 5th & 6th, Drummond Island
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| We launched from Detour and motored to Drummond Island Yacht Haven - H&H Resort |
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| A different view of the ferry |
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| Preparing to head out at sunrise |
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| Atlantic salmon fishing near the lighthouse in Detour Passage |
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| We enjoyed a campfire on the beach as we waited for the boys to return... |
The guys were supposed to be back by 10PM...at 11 we tried raising them on the radio, but we never heard them answer. At midnight, we took action, trying to locate someone who could help us. Everything was locked up at the marina office, the Border Control office, and all of camp was quiet. Some other fishing camping at H&H let us use the radio and we were able to contact the 4-C's. They ran out of gas and had been drifting since 10PM! Long story short - we found some friends who live on the island, got some gas to the boat, then the starter shattered, so the guys (Craig, Keith and Uncle Carl) spent the night on the boat. The rest of us had a very short night at the cabin.
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| My first sight as I stepped out of the cabin after a stressful night wondering and then rescuing our guys. God is faithful! |
Craig drove to the mainland and purchased a new starter, installed it and motored back to Yacht Haven, only to backtrack and run out of gas...AGAIN! He had missed seeing Keith pass him in his boat, and went back to "rescue" Keith. Once again, Chuck and company got gas to the 4-C's, we pulled out and headed back to Bear Lake, dead dog tired!
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| Well, we did not start cross over via the ferry, but after two days of boat problems, the boat was dry-docked and we had to return by "normal" way of ferry. |
July 7th & 8th, Back to Bear Lake
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| What do we do when we all get together? "Work" on our computers! |
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| Two young guys challenge two old gals to Newcomb - the old gals won...the first game at least. Lots of fun! |
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| Great action shot, Aunt Rita! Andrew in action as Joel stands ready. |
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| Some traditions never die! Happy Birthday, Reets!! |
July 8th & 9th - Back to Arcadia...One more day of Vacation!
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| Pictures just don't do the view justice. Breathtakingly Beautiful! |
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| Can you see the rainbow flowing into the lake? It was raining somewhere. |
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| It was a gorgeous night on the lake. We caught 6 Kings, 14-18#. |
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| Monday was CRAZY. We landed a double and a triple. So much fun together. We caught 8 nice king salmon, and one steelhead. We reeled in a lake trout, but had to release it as it was 1/4" too short. |
All in all, this was a great vacation. Exhausting - but so much fun traveling around to the different ports. We are blessed to have family that were flexible and accommodating to our ever changing schedule. We went as the weather and fishing reports dictated.
It was so much fun to catch kings and steelhead, again. It was like the old days. In addition, the weather on the lakes was perfect. Thank you, God!
