July 8, 2009 - Grand Marais, Michigan

At 0630 we rose with the sun to make our way westward. The winds had moderated and we were off.



Our rounding of the point gave us a clear view of Whitefish Point Light.












The day provided good cruising, and we made Grand Marais’ entrance light by early afternoon.













We just beat the fog into the harbor, and could see it over the breakwall.












What a charming town and harbor! Chuck, the dockmaster, welcomed us and helped us fuel up with “the cheapest diesel in the UP!” He provided a wealth of information about this historic town.










We did an extensive walkabout Grand Marais, which has a serviceable grocery store, hardware and post office all within the four block-square town. We started with the local historical society, housed in this “Pickle Barrel”, a 1926 cottage built by a Chicago cooperage company for the author of the famous “Teenie Weenie” children’s newspaper strips and books.







This gorgeously restored and currently private home, was originally the 1890s vintage Grand Central Saloon, one of 29 saloons during Grand Marais’ heyday of lumbering. At that time there were about 3000 residents; today there are 350 year-round residents.








This Lutheran church was the Finn Church established in 1898. The church’s fish dinners, smorgasbords and deer hunters’ dinners convinced locals that those Lutherans really know how to cook!








Jerry was impressed with the workmanship on the fishing tug “Shark,” which was built in Grand Marais in 1939-40. The Shark is the last remaining handmade wooden gill net tug in the Great Lakes region.










Both of these lovely buildings were originally hotels from the 1800s, and are now private residences, one with an art gallery. The original owners were very successful in lumbering and railroad businesses.








These local Grand Marais boys were getting a jump on the swimming season by riding their mountain bikes down the launch ramp into the 50 degree water.











As the evening descended, the fog teased the entrance to the harbor, but did not enter.












For the first evening in a long time, it was warm and calm enough to dine on the aft deck, where we were treated to the sunset light on the opposite shore of this lovely harbor.