Mackinaw Island is so picture perfect it's like an amusement park for grown ups. Touted as Michigan's crown jewel, it's encircled by Caribbean-like beaches (only with rocks, not sand), sprinkled with elegant Victorian architecture, crammed full of charming shops, delicious eateries, plus it's steeped in history, including war. No cars allowed here since the late …
Category: Boating
North Channel Island Hopping
Everything we were told about Canada's North Channel is true... it's magnificent! More like Colorado than ever, it has even bigger boulders and more pine trees on small foothills. But it is all surrounded by gorgeous emerald green water so clear you can easily see 15-20 feet down. We focused on the islands in the …
Gorgeous Georgian Bay
If you asked us to sum up our thoughts on the Georgian Bay we'd say this: it's Rocky Mountain National Park on water. For the past week we've been reminded of our beautiful home state of Colorado as we cruise by huge lichen-covered boulders, miles of coniferous trees, the sweet smell of pine sap and …
Traveling The Trent-Severn
Without doubt, everyone was right - Canada is beautiful! We are one day away from exiting their lock system, the Trent-Severn Waterway, where many Canadians take their summer respite and enjoy the water. The Waterway shores are lined with summer cottages decked to the nines with water toys including slides, gazebos, water trampolines, and of …
Canada, eh?
For the past two weeks we deliberated where to go next when we emerged from the Erie Canal at Oswego, NY. Our initial plan was to go west to Lake Erie, see family and friends, then up through Detroit and on to Lake Michigan. But then we heard from other boaters that the Trent-Severn Waterway …
We’ve Got It Locked Up
We received a few inquiries about how we are faring in the Erie Canal, so we apologize for the delay in this post. After a full day of locks we were just too tired to write! Leaving Waterford, NY the first day, Captain Craig was nervous for Joy Girl as we heard horror stories of …
The Hudson River Line
I'm taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River Line. I'm in a New York state of mind...Billy Joel As we traverse up the Hudson River we haven't seen any buses but, to Craig's joy, we have seen many Hudson Line trains, both passenger and cargo. River traffic is light with only a few enormous barges …
I Love New York!
I haven't been to New York since my teenage years. I loved it then but I wondered if my taste or the city had changed after all those many (!) decades. But, no. It's still absolutely amazing and was worth every hour of that icky open ocean ride we had to endure to get here. …
The Sailing Capital: Annapolis
Did you know Annapolis, Maryland, is considered the Sailing Capital of the World? We've never seen so many sailboats, thousands of them lined the channels! This is a typical marina - mostly sailboats and only a few power boats. Joy Girl was lonely for her kind. Last week in Virginia we saw Jamestown (the first …
Naval Norfolk
Cruising up the Elizabeth River into Norfolk, Virginia our mouths dropped open as we gazed up in awe at the enormous Norfolk Naval Shipyard. One of the oldest and largest shipyards in the world, it specializes in repairing, overhauling and modernizing ships and subs. The Yard stretches on for miles and miles, one huge warship …
Team Joy Girl Adventures 