Somewhere on the Lazy River

We left Windsor after 3 nights with a functioning alternator and a spring in our step.  The trip up Lake St. Clair was uneventful as we didn’t have enough wind to sail.  The lake and river were extremely busy as it was a glorious Sunday with the St.Clair River Classic Offshore Boat Race (powerboats) and lots of families out on their ski boats.

We spent two lovely night at Ecarte Marine in Port Lambton. This place has the friendliest staff and locals (retired staff who live on site I think).  We arrived on Sunday after the office was closed so we tied up to the wall near the gas dock and figured we could sort things out in the morning.  We had a lovely evening chatting with a guy in his early 70s who is taking his Alberg 30 to the North Channel from Erieau.  This is the second time we have run into him and likely not the last. We also enjoyed some fantastic people watching on the river.

Floating dock complete with a trolling motor, a BBQ, a cooler, and 8 passengers

The next morning, we paid up for the night before ($1.30 per foot – the cheapest yet) and were planning on heading straight out.  The alternator set up was still making us nervous, however, so we had the in-house mechanic do some work for us.  He adjusted the pulleys so the belt runs straighter and assured us that the newly-welded arm is holding strong.

He was finished in early afternoon so we decided to stay another night.  Reg was able to put in a full day of work and I did some laundry (free!), stocked up on beer (the staff drove me to the store!), and read my book under a shady tree.

On our second morning the staff brought us coffee and fresh cookies from town. Now that is service.

Now on to Sarnia and the Bluewater Bridge which every sailor we talk to tells us is tricky to get under with the strong current.