Update

8/27/11 Saturday     Since our last entry a lot has happened. Of course we were busy catching up with friends & family and taking care of household chores, but more to the point Pam met the surgeon on Tuesday. A nice man with a calming bedside manner which put us both at ease. Following a brief discussion about the situation he had Pam remove her top and proceeded to perform his own ultrasound of her breast. (Let me insert at this point; Where was the representative from this field of medicine at career day when I was in High School? Get paid to examine female breasts! What a gig and you're not thought of as a pervert!) Hmmm..... Back to reality.

The doctor did the exam with both Pam & I looking at the monitor while he explained what he was seeing. His conclusion. There is a tiny spot that he believes is fluid among the ducts of her breast and at this time would advise leaving it alone and have it rechecked in a few months. In the meantime he recommended that we return to the boat and continue with our lives and not to worry. So that is what we're trying to do.

Pam & I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts as she goes through this scare. There is no doubt that it has helped to ease our minds. The outpouring of concern is truly a blessing that we both cherish. Thank you!

With the news from the surgeon we immediately booked a rental car for the next day. Said our rounds of goodbyes, and headed back to Tourist in Mackinaw City.

When we arrived at the boat the wind was blowing at about 25 to 30 mph with a light mist to make it even more enjoyable. The forecast for Thursday was calling for strong winds as well with seas of 3' to 7' on Lake Michigan. A good day to stay in port. We got the boat organized and snooped around town playing what else? Tourists!

Friday morning with a forecast of 2' to 4' we departed Mackinaw City. Not much traffic heading out at 6:30am. Under the bridge heading west it wasn't long before we met a freighter coming at us but no worries, there is plenty of room to avoid being run over. Seas were 1' or less making for a comfortable ride.
As we got past land and into the upper end of the lake the waves began to build to 2' to 3' but with a southwest wind they were on our nose for the entire trip to Charlevoix. We arrived just in time to make the noon opening of the bridge that blocks entry into the Charlevoix harbor area. We are now at the Irish Boat Shop where we reunited with the Coconuts crew. The plan is to pull out Sunday and continue travelling south.

Sunrise over the Straits of Mackinac.

Mackinac Bridge.

Entrance to Charlevoix.