This morning was pleasant and sunny when we weighed anchor and traveled only 6 miles to the St. Ignace Public Marina right downtown.  The marina is very clean and well-maintained and close to everything.  Our first stop was the fuel dock and we were thrilled at the price of $3.88 total per gallon for diesel -- instead of $1.20 per liter in Canada plus two taxes. 

While getting fuel, a little mink slithered across the dock and believe me, his slithering did not escape Striper.  She was fascinated with this little creature until he slipped down into the water and swam away.  Did you know minks could swim?  By the time I snapped the photo, the little critter had made his escape so he really looks like "a dot on the horizon."  Photo below.

The water is so clear you can see 8' to the bottom, but according to Dan who works here, it seems to be a "law of unintended consequences" -- the water is so very clear because of the invasive zebra mussels that filter the water and are destroying the eco-system. :(

We tied up,registered, then got directions to the post office, good restaurants, local ferries to Mackinac Island, a grocery store, and laundry facilities.  Our friends on Wind Song came here yesterday and our friends on Carrie Rose arrived this afternoon.  It was fun to catch up with them again.

We walked a few blocks to the post office and about 3/4 mile in the other direction to Doud's Grocery Store on the main street.  The girls in the marina office told us Doud's delivers groceries.  It's a well-stocked, very clean grocery store with beautiful produce, a nice bakery and deli AND they brought us back to the marina with all our groceries, so we were able to get just about everything on my list including a whole gallon of milk for $3.29 as opposed to 2 liters for $5.29 in Canada.  We are so blessed in this country!

I really did not have to do laundry, but I know from experience that if you find laundry facilities at the marina, it's best to do up what you have because the next laundry facility could be miles down the pike, so to speak.  The marina had two brand new large capacity Maytag washers and dryers, so I did a little wash this afternoon.

This evening there was live entertainment on the dock and I don't even know who they were but there was an older man who sang old favorites and some very funny sea-songs and a younger couple who sang more popular tunes.  It was nice to see everyone out on the dock enjoying the music.  The sky grew quite dark and cloudy making the sunset a bit eerie.

We spoke with Ralph's Mom today and she will be transferred to Betty Bacharach Rehabilitation Center tomorrow.  She's progressing well, but still not able to go home yet.  Thanks for your continued prayers for her. 

Approaching St. Ignace, Michigan

St. Ignace Pubic Marina

That tiny dot above Striper's head is a little mink who slithered across the dock then into the water and swam away.  Not lost on my dog!!

At the music on the dock this evening

I don't know the name of this trio, but they were very entertaining tonight

The sky was overcast and gray until 8:55 when this eerie sunset appeared

The breakwater at St. Ignace Marina

The breakwater rocks and their reflection in the clear water