Captain’s Log
A Brush with History
The Zeeland Historical Society recently shared a fascinating piece of our hometown’s history, detailing the arduous journey of our founders from the Netherlands to Michigan. This story resonates deeply with me, especially after my family’s recent travels along a similar route.
Article in Practical Sailor
As a family on a sailboat traveling on the Great Loop, our crew of four aboard Fika was a bit out of the ordinary. The first question we’re asked when folks learn about our vessel is, “Don’t you have to take the mast down?” America’s Great Loop is a waterway adventure that will lead you on a circumnavigation of the eastern portion of the United States, and there’s one thing in the way of sailboats: fixed-height bridges.
Appreciating Historic Annapolis
During our stay in Annapolis, we embarked on countless walking adventures, uncovering the city's rich historical charm. Strolling through its picturesque streets, we enjoyed the architecture of the well-preserved buildings, each with a story to tell. The city's colonial past came alive as we immersed ourselves in the unique atmosphere of this historic gem.
The Route: Lake Huron & Lake Michigan
As we transition from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan, we'll approach The Mackinac Bridge. This bridge connects the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the Lower Peninsula. It divides the "Yoopers" (Michiganders from the U.P.) from the "Trolls" (Michiganders from the Mitten).
The Route: Canada
There are some beautiful sites along the Canadian shore. While vessels can traverse the Loop without entering Canada, it would be a shame to miss out on its beauty. We will remove our mast and likely travel along the Erie Canal into the Oswego Canal, leading us into Lake Ontario.
The Route: New York through Lake Ontario
As we travel along the Erie Canal, we will encounter some of our first locks. A lock is a basin located in the canal with gates at each end. Using these gates, the Lock Master can control the water level in the basin, allowing for boats to be raised or lowered. This is how we can travel along canals that move up and down with different elevations.
