Friday, August 14, 2009

Scurvy and the Sphincter of Lake Huron



The last grocery store within walking distance of a harbor was over a week ago in Mackinaw City......an IGA with usorious prices, a pitiful selection and 'the only grocery store in a 15 mile radius'.

Since then, the closest thing to fresh produce has been limes from the ubiquitous liquor stores. Ah well, if they were good enough for the British Navy.....

But I consoled myself thinking 'Port Huron is a big city. Surely there will be markets close by.' Wrong!! Again, the closest thing to produce came from yet another liquor store.

I want a salad, dammit!
Arriving in Port Huron was somewhat jarring. After the peace and quiet of these past two weeks' cruising, Whisper was at the confluence of ALL upper Great Lakes ship traffic, Canadian and American pleasure boaters and more jet skiis than I have ever seen in one place, taking advantage of the waves created when lake and river currents and ship wakes and powerboat wakes all collide to achieve startling airborne feats.




My quiet little ship was beset!




Which brings me to a point: All of the upper Great Lakes drain through the St. Clair River, Port Huron being at its nexus. PH is emblematic of the crumbling American manufacturing sector. Downtown is largely boarded up, for sale signs in every direction. The Canadian sister city, Sarnia, presents a wall of oil refineries.




I deem this to be the sphincter of the Upper Great Lakes! I can't wait to get out of here, except that Detroit, that great American city of yesteryear, awaits. This too shall pass.

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