July 4, 2025
Starting Point: Suttons Bay, MI
Ending Point: 45° 54′ N 084°14′ W (at 2359)
Our journey began in Sutton’s Bay with a 0700 call time. After a boat orientation and expectations discussion led by Captain Lily, the Inland Seas and her crew were off by 0930! We left the bay and passed Gull Island, where I learned more than I ever wanted to know about guano from my fellow shipmates. We also passed three lighthouses: Pebble Island, Grays Reef, and White Shoal. After a few hours into our trip, and more boat checks than I can count, we noticed the refrigerator in the galley—the reefer—was running warm. Food was still cold enough, so the problem was tabled and we continued on our course, passing under the Mackinac Bridge just around 2000. I went to bed to the sound of fireworks from St. Ignace, sending me to sleep.
July 5, 2025
Starting Point: 45° 56.3′ N 083° 56’ (0200)
Ending Point: Grand Marais Harbor
I was woken up at 2 am along with my watch team, the self-named Krakens, to help guide the boat through the night. While we were working on deck, Captain Lily recommended harnessing ourselves to the deck, for safety reasons, of course. A jackline was set up, and we hooked ourselves on whenever we had to move up from the stern to the bow. Our watch was from 0200 – 0800, which meant a sunrise over the waters of Lake Huron. My watch was uneventful, aside from some bumpy waves, and I slept during my off hours. By the time I woke up, we were on the St. Mary’s River following our sailing companion, Alliance. I stayed awake an hour after my watch to see both ships pass through the Soo Locks at 0900. Many passersby took pictures. Soon after, the reefer started reaching temperatures nearing 60 degrees, but Captain Lily was able to work some engine room magic and fix the issue (is there anything she can’t do!?). We passed Whitefish Point at roughly 1530, but rain soon followed, and we decided to anchor in Grand Marais Harbor to wait out the large waves of Lake Superior.
July 6, 2026
Starting Point: Grand Marais Harbor
Ending Point: 46° 55.0′ N 086° 25.8′ W (2359)
We stayed anchored in Grand Marais overnight, which meant it was time for my first anchor watch. We split up night watches to 45 minutes apiece, but besides a little rain, nothing eventful happened under my watchful eye. The crew decided to participate in some anchor watch poetry, where a line is added by every individual on anchor watch shift until a beautiful poem is made. I contributed a half-finished limerick. It was well into morning, and we were still waiting out the waves of Superior, so some of the crew (including me) took time to explore the harbor town. I bought a number of postcards plus a well-deserved latte from the local cafe. At 2000, we were off motoring our way out of the harbor and passing Pictured Rocks at sunset. What a beautiful day.
July 7, 2025
Starting Point: 47° 11.1′ N 087° 07.55′ W (0400)
Ending Point: 47° 15.2′ N 089° 42.3′ W (2359)
Again, I was woken up at 0400 for night watch. I was amazed when, during my first lookout shift, I saw the most incredible shooting star just as the sun was rising. Inland Seas is still holding her course, although there have been some whispers of stopping at the Apostle Islands if we maintain our heading. At around midday, we passed the Keewenaw Peninsula—a peninsula we will return to in nine days for Michigan Tech programming in Houghton! At 1545, the crew member on lookout noticed something shiny in the water. A bird? A buoy? We had found a metallic balloon. After some expert navigation from Captain Lily, we got close enough to fish it out of the water with an onboard net. I went to bed feeling proud of our heroic aquatic macroplastic clean-up.
July 8, 2025
Starting Point: 47° 48′ N 089° 59.3′ W (0400)
Ending Point: Duluth!
I was woken up by thunderstorms for my final night watch. Me and the other members of my crew (this time a smaller sub watch group fondly nicknamed Megaldon) were huddled in the pilot house waiting out the lightning. After the rain had settled, we left to set up sails as a crew of three, plus the skilled hands of our onboard cook, Christina. Of all the watch shifts, this was my favorite. By 1000, we were anchored in the Apostle Islands, where we went swimming and rock hunting for yooperlites and beach glass. I took some time to enjoy the bow net at the front of the ship. The rest was smooth sailing to our final destination. A quick eight hours later, and we were headed into the Duluth port just as the sun was setting. I slept well knowing the next day would be my first day at the Duluth Tall Ship Festival!!
Signing off (for now),
Ceci Kimball
Spring/Summer Great Lakes Education Intern
