Mike and Brenda on "Velsignet"

Early morning this past Tuesday in DeTour Village (the Upper Peninsula of Michigan), Mike shared with the Marina Office that he needed a ride to Sault Ste Marie (Michigan side) to pick up a rental car (many, many calls were made to find a rental car and finally found one at a "Precision Auto" shop...Welcome to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan!).  One of the more experienced in the office suggested, "Walk to the bar and see who's there; it's too early for them to be drinking (serves breakfast) and one of them might be willing to drive you."  After checking out the bar (no success), Mike walked to the IGA grocery store, reviewed the business cards on its bulletin board, made a couple of calls (1.  A lady who will clean your house, provide home care and/or take you on errands; and 2. A guy with a snowblower), and two hours later, was on his way to The Soo in a dump truck!! (The dump truck driver who blows snow in the winter months is a father of a volleyball-pla...

“Since you’re from Minnesota, I’ve got to ask you…” said the young man in the Marina office, “Do Minnesotans prefer the Vikings (football) or The Wild (hockey)?”   We shared our opinions then asked him his preference…football or hockey (the city has a rich history in both)?   He confirmed our suspicions...hockey was number one. Dr. Roberta Bondar (another Dec 4 th baby) was born in Sault Ste. Marie, attended public schools in Sault Ste. Marie, and became the first female astronaut (and first neurologist) in space.   Docked at the Roberta Bondar Marina (across from the residence Roberta Bondar Place), we spent our last days in Canada learning about “Falls on the Saint Mary River” or (as named by the French) Sault Ste. Marie, or as locals call it, “The Soo.”     Before taking off late this morning for DeTour (where we’ll go through US customs), we explored the city with an early morning bike ride. “The Hub” bike trail led us by the Algoma University, as...

     As four Looper couples casually are gathered at the Little Current fuel dock to bid each other farewell, Chris (MV Pura Vida III) eyes George & Barbara’s 40-foot Hattaras (MV Grand Cru) and their nice-sized American flag and says to Trish and Brenda, “I need a bigger flag. A 40-foot boat should fly a 40-inch flag.”      “There’s a rule about how big one’s flag should be?   How should we know this?”   Trish (40-foot Meridian, MV About Time) asks Chris.      Continuing his gaze on the Hattaras, Chris claims, “Boat etiquette.”      Brenda (40-foot Mainship MV Velsignet) looks at Chris and exclaims, “You’re making this up!   There’s no rule!   You’re just concerned because George’s flag is larger than yours!”      Chris continues his gaze at the Hattaras and says to the girls, “But I’ll bet you’ll google it when you’re back at your boats!” Chris was right...