Time for Some Scheduled Maintenance for Viridian

Viridian slid out of Mackinaw City Marina this morning at 0645, transitioned from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan after going under the Mackinac Bridge, and headed due west for a few hours.  At the Abandoned Lighthouse, a 90-degree turn to port put us on a southerly bearing that will eventually lead to our homeport in Huntsville, AL.  But first, there are some things that need to be taken care of wrt Viridian and some scheduled maintenance.  One of the few things that need to be done with the CAT-3208 diesel engine is have the valve lash adjusted.  It is time for that job and a few other minor things, which takes us to Irish Boat Shop Marina in Harbor Springs, MI.  This marina comes highly recommended, and the staff is friendly and seems eager to get your business.  We will stay here until 16 August while we get ship-shape before we make the 350-mile cruise down to Chicago.

In the meantime, we will explore the town of Harbor Springs by bike and by walking.  There is a great shoreline path that passes beautiful homes and is a fun place to bike.  Downtown are several shops and restaurants to help pass the time until Viridian is ready to continue south.

Some of the things we did for Viridian:

✔️Change the fuel filters
✔️Adjust engine valve lash
✔️Replace engine impeller
✔️eplace all engine drive belts
✔️Replace zinc anodes with magnesium anodes for freshwater
✔️Overall engine room inspection
✔️Hull inspection and cleaning

That's the news and here's some views:

We are here

Today's route from Mackinaw City Marina, MI to Harbor Springs, MI

Sunrise over Mackinac Straits, MI

Mackinac Bridge

On the Lake Michigan side of the Mackinac Bridge

This was our waypoint to turn south, the abandoned lighthouse west of Mackinac Island

Lunch at Harbor Springs

A pretty church

The flowers in Harbor Springs are in abundance 

Beautiful old homes

Elle, onboard Gypsy Spirit, paints and these are her pets, Josephine, Caroline and Ivan

Josephine is very laid back

Getting ready for winter storage

Viridian at Irish Boat Shop, Harbor Springs, MI

We meet up with Ernest Hemingway and his 6-toed cat once more 

Great Bike Trails here too

Around the flagpole at the local High School

Over and out

Out on dry land

Hauling out for hull inspection and anode replacement

Just hanging around

New anods on stern and shaft

Ready for fresh water