Saturday, July 16, 2005

Off for Some Fun

We're off on a family vacation. M is sailing from Chicago to Mackinac Island (pronounced Mackinaw - like our dog!) and we're going to go up there to greet him when he crosses the finish line. His boat is a biggie -- about 72 feet -- so he should finish in about 35-40 hours. The last time I waited for him to finish this race, it took him about 60 hours (smaller boat and no wind.) This one should be much better.


Here's a website that tells you about the race:
http://chicagoyachtclub.org/racetomackinac/coursemap.cfm. M's boat is Porororoca (I think that's spelled right) in group GL 70 (the big boys) and we might be able to follow his progress on the computer (if his boat is one of those that is tracked.) I can't believe that he's racing with these big boats -- I've heard about Nitemare and the others -- they're fast! The residules of the hurricane are here, so we'll have isolated/scattered thunderstorms -- M doesn't mind that at all, it means he'll have WIND :>

The boys are SOOO excited about the trip. There are no cars allowed on the island -- only bikes and horses to get around. We'll have a good time for three days -- swimming in the hotel pool, touring the fort on the island, visiting the butterfly house, eating fudge, swimming in the cold lake, renting bikes for a bikeride (I checked and they do have bike trailers and kids seats for the boys.)

Here's a website that tells you about the island
http://www.mackinacisland.org/visitor.php?pages=20.


We'll also spend a day or two at Sleeping Bear Dunes
http://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/slideshows/beaches.html where we'll rent a canoe.

Here are the boys on canoes at Grammma Smith's house over the 4th. Riley's on the top pic, with his big cousin helping in the back.


T is having a great time, too. He looks so grown up, doesn't he?



I have a lot to do to day -- laundry, pack, take Mackinaw (named after said island) to her "sleepover camp" (aka really cool kennel that she loves), pick up the new Harry Potter book to read on the island, get some DVDs at the library for the kids to watch on the long drive there... I better get going!

2 comments:

CaliforniaGrammy said...

I know you'll have a wonderful time - who wouldn't with all the fun stuff available to you. Thanks for the web pages to keep track of the race - we'll be there in spirit!

jennavar said...

That sounds like a lot of fun. I would love to visit that island sometime. I know Karah would love it too. And who can resist homemade fudge. Have a blast. Can't wait to hear about the details when you get back.