June Departure!

Hello Everyone!!
We left Barkers' Island Marina in Superior Wisconsin June 7, 2006. It was a tearful good bye. We want to thank all of you for helping to make our dream a reality. Really, it has taken a multitude of hands to get us on our way.
The trip to the Apostle Islands went well. We dropped the anchor at the SE side of Rasberry Island about 9:30 pm. Next day we moved to Stockton Island and spent about 4 days relaxing. June 12 we left for Ontonagon, MI. We had SW, W, N, NNE winds so sailed and motored. Stayed at the marina and got a hot shower!! These are a luxury! The next morning we headed for Houghton/Hancock in rain and overcast skies (the good and bad). We tied up to the wall at the lower entry, not pretty, but free! June 14 we motored down the waterway. We had to go under a lift bridge so Bill had to radio the bridge operator to ask for a lift which means all traffic had to stop, pretty cool!! The marina at Houghton city is on the left just as you cross under the bridge. The harbormaster was very nice. Let me use his car to go grocery shopping. We got laundry done, fueled up, pumped out and we were on our way again, rejuvinated
Our next stop was the upper entry. This was much nicer. We tied up to the wall. There was a park and grass next to the boat with picnic tables.
June 15 we cruised to Huron Bay. Anchored in the bay. There is a tiny marina, Witz Marina for power or shoal draft boats. The guy there is very nice and was glad we stopped in to introduce ourselver to him so he could then inform the locals of who we are and where we are going.
June 16 we left for Marquette MI. Some sailing and motoring. We managed to acquire 100's of black flies! They were everywhere!
From Marquette we sailed to Grand Maris MI. The winds blew 25-30 knots. The waves were 2-4 feet. It was on the nose so made for a rough ride (didn't seem to bother the flies though!). When we finally got into the breakwall at Grand Marais, ther were float planes buzzing the bay! They were having a contest! WE were able to anchor in 30 ft of water.
June 18 we left for Ile Parisienne (Canada). FOG!!! It was a bit scary crossing the shipping channels but all is well. The island is uninhabited and just beautiful.
June 19 we entered the Sault Ste Marie lock McArthur. It was easy! They hand you a rope and in 7 minutes we wnet down 21 feet! People were taking pics of us! Passed 3 freighters going through. Boy are small!!
We arrived at Kemp Marina (US side) and have spent the last few days cleaning, provisioning and sending Bill up the mast twice to get the roller furling lubed up. Today June 22 we are off to the North Channel. Last night our sailing buddies Rose and Tom of SOJOURN arrived. We drank a bottle of champange and had a nice dinner from the pressure cooker. Sorry this is a quic synopsis to get you up to date. Now we will be out of touch again as we tour the Channel.