The end of another work week had arrived and after successfully covering my obligations on the home front, I decided to act on an invitation that I was offered earlier in the week. A couple of my co-workers had invited me to attend Boat Night at The Blue Water Festival in Port Huron and to they asked me to bring the "Festival Fanatics" along with me.
     Now it’s been a few years since I’d attended Boat Night with a couple of my buddies, but as I remembered, it had been a very enjoyable experience for a group of single guys. I dialed up Tim and Don to inform them of our opportunity and to inform them of Mary Jane’s E T A at their location for departure.
     After a brief conversation with both of Tim and Don, it was apparent that this time I would be flying solo on this mission. Don had already made plans with his daughter and Tim had been engulfed in an exciting documentary on the History Channel (on Friday night?). With cell phone, camera and sunglasses in hand, I climbed behind the wheel of Mary Jane and headed east to the blue water where the party had shifted into high gear.
     Once on the road, I decided that not stopping at Tim’s or Don’s would allow me enough time to take the "back way" to Port Huron, so instead of tracking down the interstate (I-69,) I traveled across M-19 to M-136 and then through the headwaters of the Black River. This allowed me to take in the beauty of the golden wheat fields that glistened in contrast to the green grasslands of this area. Mary Jane had also appreciated this route for the work out M-136 gave her when we approached the switchbacks at the headwaters of the Black River. For me, it is an opportunity to practice my cornering and shifting abilities (always handy in scaring the living hell of Tim when he rides shotgun and regards my driving as "endangering.").
     As I traveled along M-136 with Mississippi John Hurt, Jack Johnson and Richard Thompson singing through the radio and filling in for normal banter that is a constant in Mary Jane when traveling with others, I began to think back on how this project began. I found myself reflecting of past travels that I had taken alone when Mary Jane and I set out to partake in all that Michigan had to offer. Then it hit me. I was about to roll into a street venue and party with a group of hardcore partiers that were 10 years younger than me. They were younger and more conditioned for doing keg stands, shot-gunning and pub-hopping, pleasures that I had resigned from in the past few years. Nervously, I wondered “can the ‘old man’” keep up as the entourage travels from boat to boat sharing in celebratory beverage after beverage?” “Of course,” I thought.
     As I approached Water Street, a call out on my cell phone informed Josh and Dave, my waiting host that I had arrived and they quickly gave me the coordinates for the best parking to be had within walking distance of the nautical base. Finding a parking spot in downtown went easier than I had expected. Port Huron and the owners of its businesses are rather cordial in their allowing for people to have close access to the riverfront during this event.
     I took in the midway lights, shot some pictures of passing boats and various life forms mingling up and down the board walk until I found my way to the floating cantina known as Jack & Coke II, captained by Chuck (Chucky) Sherlock, owner of C&C Trucking of Kimbal, Michigan.   Chucky welcomed me aboard with a 16oz. glass of Jack and Coke poured from a 5-gallon NASCAR fuel can as he introduced me to Ashley, Janet, Cindy and the others on the boat. It was then that I realized that I had better be on my A-game for the night’s festivities if I was going to be in the game at all.
     After a few rounds aboard Jack& Coke II while watching the boats and people float the river, Dave and I decided to stroll along the boardwalk to Quay Street. There we entertained ourselves at the local pubs and took in the different genres of music enjoying the open atmosphere only a festival such as this could offer.
       Finished with entertaining ourselves with the human landscape on Quay Street, it was a quick trip back to Jack & Coke II for a refill and then a distant walk with the group to the beer tent that offered a variety of ales, wheat beers and mixed drinks for your high-end drinkers.
     The evening passed as we enjoyed the cool night air. Music from the bands echoed through the crisp night air as extravagant yachts paraded their passengers in a shining flotilla. It was truly a maritime utopia in the Northern Hemisphere. Soon the party silently came to a halt in the early hours of the morning and I found myself nestled in the comforts of Mary Jane’s bottom bunk sleeping off a memorable evening with friends.
     The morning sun shone through the Mary Jane’s windows and I realized that I had made it through the evening and, yes, the “old man” had been able to hang with the younger guys, or should I say “hang over.”
     Disregarding my aching head, I quickly arose and contacted Don and Taylor and arranged for us to meet and cover Saturday’s activities. We agreed to meet at Thomas Edison Park by the Blue Water Bridge. There we would be able to see the sailboats of the Mackinaw Race pass by before they approached the starting line of their 35-hour journey to Mackinaw Island.
   To properly see the sailboats in full glory, one should actually arrange a boat trip out into Lake Huron where the sailing crews raise the sails on the massive masts of their ornate vessels. From the break wall of the park we were able to see the magnificent boats and their crews as they passed by us on the St. Clair River, capturing some unique shots of the sailboats and Great Lakes Freighter’s as they maneuvered about in the crisp blue water.
   We then headed back down town to the Quay Street area and wandered our way through the art fair and meeting both local and renowned artist displaying their unique works. Next we were on our way to the midway enjoy some carnival rides with a 13 year old girl (Taylor) full of excitement and anticipation to ride.
   The rides averaged $4.00 a piece and the cost added up in a hurry, but watching Don as he was coerced into stomach spinning, high speed, physically challenging rides for the sake of his daughter’s happiness was priceless!
   Offering to take time for lunch immediately following Don’s and Taylor’s ride experience seemed somehow humorous in a sadistic kind of way, but the guy behind the camera was in desperate need of food since his last meal from the night before had been served in a glass. We enjoyed a quick lunch from the street vendors and relaxed with a refreshing $3.00 bottle of water. The water quenched our thirst rather well for what now had become a 90+ degree day.
   As the afternoon rolled around, the street again filed with people enjoying the variety of activities such as bands, street vendors, artist and …Mannequins? That’s right, I said mannequins. Live “mannequins” posed in the heat of the day as they raised money from the passers-by who voted for them. Money which was later donated to their favorite charities. Hats off go to each of the “mannequins” for their commitment as they unwaveringly stayed frozen in place as the temperature climbed to nearly 100 degrees.
   The annual Port Huron Blue Water Festival is a great overnight adventure, but is also a fun day trip enjoyable to all ages. Events begin on Thursday with family night, and going on through Saturday evening’s parade of boats, lit in Christmas lights from bow to stern. This was a safe, clean and fun festival that I’ll hope to wonder back to again.
 
  -Josh Johnson The Blue Water Traveler.com