A Great Weekend on Kelley's Island
Published: Thursday, August 18, 2022 12:00 pm
By: Eve Gribble, PlasTEAK Inc.
It started on Friday. Bill and I left early from work. Not as early as Derek and his crew. His three children had come to work in the shop for a half day. It gave them something to do and gave their Mom, Becky, space to gather what they needed for the weekend. Derek keeps his boat on Kelley's Island, and so they are over there nearly every weekend. We planned to meet them there and spend some time with them. I called the marina, but they were sold out. Anchoring is always an option.
We got to the boat and left the dock in Vermilion a little after five. The wind and lake were calm as we came up to speed for the 20 miles to the island. Halfway there, the marina called. The boat that was on the wall left early, so we could have that spot but only for one night. That was great as the winds were forecast to come up and become variable, which is not great for anchoring.
We had just arrived and tied up when we saw Derek's Denali coming off the ferry with the trailer behind and the new golf cart on it. He had just gotten on the highway when the call came in that the cart was ready. So back he went to get Tim's trailer and pick it up. He had ordered it a year ago and was so ready to have one that worked. His secondhand cart was in need of a clutch. Nearly everything else had been replaced as well. In any case, this is a beauty, and everyone was excited about it.
Bill went with them to unload it while I fussed with my fenders. Good thing, too, as the wind was picking up and the channel we were on opened straight to the lake. Seven lines and six fenders, but she was not bumping anywhere. "She" is our 54' Navigator, Just BilEve. There was a smaller boat in front of us. It was bouncing pretty hard. Apparently, it had broken down, which was where the tow boat had left. We could see the weather changing as it was raining in the distance, causing a lovely rainbow.
By now, I am ready to go join the fun. I had my bike but couldn't take it off by myself. We were right by the office, and the guys said, "If there is anything you need, let us know." So, I went in and asked for some help. The bike is light, so I can lift it to the gunwale. All he has to do is lift it to the ground, and I'm on my way.
It is always busy with this group. Elaina, going into seventh grade, has volleyball tryouts Monday, so she was volleying with either Sophia or Will, both going into fourth. It is time to eat, so we order The Whole Damn Grill from Peepers. A 17" x 24" tin of Bar-B-Q, cornbread, fries, and a steak. Enough for all with leftovers. After that, we just HAD to take the cart for a ride. We all piled in with Scooby, their sweet rescue dog. He rarely barks and loves everyone. 16 inches tall and light enough to lift with one hand. It was mostly dark but a fun ride.
Saturday, the crew came over to let us know that we are all going on a boat ride. While they are over by our boat, Jen comes out of the office to let us know another boat is leaving early, and we can have the T-dock on the end of D pier. Perfect, the floating dock will be so much easier to get on and off, and we will be out of the channel. We pull the lines and power cord and make our way over.
Everyone comes over to help us tie up and scramble onto the boat to see if it is the same as last year. They have Scooby this time, and he is checking it out too. They take him up onto the flybridge. Then I hear that Scooby has jumped off the flybridge onto the shade screen. He creeps over to the side where I can grab him and pull him down into the boat. Grateful that he is a small dog. He is a jumper, though, and we are all reminded to keep an eye on him.
Derek is on his boat, Our Secret, putting the battery back in. It had been used in the old golf cart at some point. Becky and Sophia wash down the outside of the boat as the Mayflies are out. They haven't used the boat that much as it is so much easier to take the kids over to the beach. He has heard us talk about anchoring and wanted to go to that cove we talked about. Becky and the kids are off to the Market to get stuff for sandwiches.
It is nearly noon by the time everyone is loaded up, and we leave the dock. On the way over, it was a treat to see Father and Son chatting and sharing the boat ride. We went across the South end of Kelley's, then North of Starve Island, heading for the green marker that marks the end of the point of Middle Bass. We point to the monument that is South Bass. The yellow roof of Hazards is Middle Bass. Next is North Bass.
As we approach the marker, a Coast Guard RIB flies by us with lights on. We see it stop by a boat that seems to be listing to one side. By the time we get across from it, only the bow is sticking out of the water. All the people were off and safe, but it couldn't be towed, so they left it. It seemed strange that they didn't mark it or anything.
We came up to the South Side of North Bass Island and a cove we have stayed at many times. Since Covid, many more boats have found all of the coves around all of the islands. There were two groups of boats rafted together. We picked a spot away from everyone else. Bill was on anchor detail. The anchor stuck, and we drifted back a dozen yards or so from the beach. Becky makes sandwiches for everyone. Fuel for the coming adventure. We see some big birds, probably eagles. One does not seem to have the bright white, probably a younger one. I found a picture of when we anchored in the same place and shared it. We keep an eye on the sunken boat. It is just sitting with the nose above the water. We point to the low buildings to the West of where we are and explain that there is a tiny private marina there and a few mooring balls out in the water.
Then, all the kids have lifejackets on, so it is into the water and makes for the beach. Bill and Derek follow while Becky and I stay on board and chat. When they get to the beach, the search for sea glass starts. Their beach at the marina is so picked over that there is not much to find. But here, there is a bonanza! They find what looks like a raspberry tree. Bill explains that they are mull berries and quite delicious. Back to the boat to get a cup to collect the berries. Even with other boats around, there is plenty of space to explore.
They come back and pump up a couple of rafts and get the boogie boards out. They even take Scooby over. He is taking heartworm treatments and tires easily, so they bring him back, and we let him rest while he watches all the activity. When they come back to the boat and start snacking, it is time to go back. Bill pulls the anchor while everyone snuggles into their towels.
We take a once around the island and see the cove on the West side with a few boats in there. From the North side, we point out Middle Island and Pelee so they can see how close to Canada they are.
Back at the dock, we tie up, and it is time to eat again. We pile into the wonderful new golf cart and head for the West End. There is a volleyball net that Elaina can practice on. Turns out we are too late, and the kitchen is closed. The waitress is very nice and lists all the other restaurants that are still open. We go back to Dockers and have missed the crowd, so there are empty tables and a shorter wait for the food. Good thing, too. After a day of swimming, fresh air, and blue skies, everyone is hungry. With full tummies, it is quiet heading back to the marina.
Sunday is the wind-down day, but first, it is off to the Island House for Brunch. By ten or so, we are heading downtown. Seems this is a ritual for them, the treat before they leave. The Island House only does Brunch on Sunday and closes at 3. The waitress was very nice, and the food was great. Scooby has some water and a cool spot under the table. He is happy wherever his people are. After we eat, Bill asks if we can go see the remains of the winery in the daylight. There was not much of a line for the ferry, so a ride around was just the thing. It looks like someone has cut back the weeds and started to do some restoration to the old stone structure. It is all blocked off, so no exploring. Down the street are the Glacial Grooves. Closed for construction. There are pallets of materials, so we guess they are redoing the walkways. It is back on the list of things to see when it is open again.
It is early afternoon when the Denali with the trailer and old cart is in line for the ferry. We stop by on the bikes to say goodbye. The kids are off from school, but Derek and Becky have to be back at work on Monday. We are the boss, so we go back on Monday. The sky is bright blue, the air is warm, and the second key to the cart is on the boat...oh yeah, we're cruising now. We end up down by the State Park and have an ice cream cone at the General Store. Just like it was Summertime.
It may not have been on an exotic foreign island or even in the ocean, but it is still the boating life. Fun was had, memories were made, bonds were strengthened, and new shores were explored. It was a great weekend!
Article courtesy of Eve Gribble of PlasTEAK, Inc. Learn more at www.plasteak.com.
tags: Feel Good Story, Lake Erie
