**UPDATE** on Race to the Mac

The Chicago Yacht Club held it's annual Race to Mackinac today.  When I heard about it on the news yesterday, I had to check it out to see if the route would be sailing by our neck of the woods. . . .

photo image courtesy of Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

. . . and sure enough, it does seem like it.  Above is a map of Lake Michigan and of the race course.  I just heard on the news that the course is 333 miles and it's the oldest fresh water race on record.  The racers will not stop until they get to Mackinac Island.  Ever been there?  Here's a link to it, check it out (it was the featured in the movie, Somewhere in Time, with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeves). Mackinac Island. 

Photo image courtesy of Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac
 

The sailboats will be passing pretty close to Manistee, where we live.  I was sitting on my front porch this evening when I noticed what a beautiful sunset we were having.  I ran into the house and told hubby I had to rush to the beach to try to get the sun setting over the lake and perhaps I would see some of the sailboats racing by.

As soon as I got to the beach (just five minutes away from our house) I couldn't believe my eyes.  The view was spectacular!! (This is also the location of one of two lighthouses here in Manistee.  This one is known as the First Street Lighthouse.  The other lighthouse, the most popular one is to the right of this one). 

As I stared onto the horizon, I could see many specks from left to right and I knew it was some of the racing sailboats.   I was hoping my camera would capture all of them up but this was all it could get (note the arrows).  I got so excited to see the sailboats and all I wanted to do was tell all the racers out there that we were rootin' for them and praying for their safety.

I'm not familiar with the race since I just heard about it yesterday, but here is the link to their website where you can learn all about it and perhaps, maybe someday, participate in it. :)  Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

As the sun hid behind the clouds I decided to head back.  To my right and across the ways is the most prominent lighthouse in our town, The North Pierhead Lighthouse.  I'm not sure if that sailboat headed towards it was one of the racers or perhaps just some local folk returning to land.

It was such a beautiful evening, I wanted to capture every moment.  The sky went from pink to blue and it was getting a little chilly.

This was on the opposite side from the last picture.

and here's the road back to shore and to the parking lot.  I was back home in 5 minutes.

Until next time,

**UPDATE**  Sunday, July 20, 2014

Here's an update on the race from this morning (07/20/14).  I made sure hubby dropped me off on our way to church.  I got so excited, I was able to see a dozen more way off in the distance.  In this picture I can count 11, how about you?  Can you see them??  They're the tiny specks on the horizon and not dust on your monitor screen.  Click on picture twice to zoom in.

There is one sailboat in this picture but it's hiding behind the trellis.  Zoom in and look real close.  Without the camera I could see it perfectly and it was one of the sailboats I had seen closest to shore.

Until next time . . . .. -Bev