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| Dominic Enjoying His First Birthday Cake |
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
After going home for four days and enjoying Dominic's first birthday party, we returned to Muskegon with the car loaded with supplies and clothes. On Monday, Augusgt 19th we resumed our adventure. Our destination was Grand Haven, a short trip from Muskegon. Docking was a bit of a challenge due to a strong breeze. Tony handled it successfully. Downtown Grand Haven was a short walk from the marina. We found the coffee shop (of course). We also walked parts of the board walk along the river. We found a pop corn storn and bought a small bag. Another looper boat, Always 5 O'clock, pulled in next to us. It was a 40' Mainship. They were from Florida. Before dinner we enjoyed a glass of wine on their boat. The highlight of the evening was watching the musical fountain from the top back deck of the boat. It was glorious. Today we journeyed to Holland. We anchored in Pine Creek, which is a bay in Lake Macatawac. It was very peaceful. We took a dinghy ride and the new motor worked perfectly. The weather has finally warmed up. Yea!!
Street Art in Grand Haven
Street Art in Grand Haven
Part of a Train in Grand Haven
Holland Light
Anchorage View in Holland
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Our trip from Pentwater was perfect. Lake Michigan was very calm. We saw several dune buggies as we approached White Lake. After we docked in White Lake, a 39' Nordic Tug pulled in. We met Pete and Carolyn from Mystic, Connecticut, who have been on the loop since May. Whitehall and Montegue are both on the banks of White Lake. On Tuesday, Augusgt 13, there were small craft warnings on Lake Michigan so we stayed in White Lake. The wind was strong the entire day. Wednesday we woke up to calm winds even though it was chilly. We journey to Muskegon and docked on Great Lakes Marina. They give discounts to loopers. Tony found his dream golf cart at this marina. Note to children dad wants this golf cart for his birthday, or maybe Christmas, or even Father's Day. Summer Recess will stay in Muskegon as we go home for the celebration of our grandson's first birthday. Our adventure will resume on August 19th.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
August 6 was our second day in Manistee. We walked to downtown and of course found a coffee shop. We had drinks with Ken and Kathy aboard Meandering and after dinner walked to the beach for the free jazz concert. We were awakened during the night by a rather intense storm complete with lightning, thunder, and pouring rain. The following day we decided to stay in Manistee because the weather outlook was not good. At the cocktail hour we had a first 'chicken party' with Kathy and Ken. on our boat. (You have a chicken party when you are afraid to leave a port due to inclement weather.) Thursday, August 8 dawned with beautiful skies and calm winds. We said good bye to Meandering and made our way to Ludington. We passed Big Sable Light House on our way. After anchoring in Pere Marquette Lake in Lundington we took the dinghy and tied up on the wall at the municipal marina. Downtown was nice with a coffee shop. We then proceeded on our quest to find Jim and Carolee who both taught in Troy. Jim was also a fishing charter boat captain for many years. Thanks to the help of a gracious lady, who loaned us a phone book, we found their house and spent a delightful afternoon talking with them and then planned dinner for the next evening. Friday we docked at the Harborview Marina. It had great accommodations. We met Jim and Carolee at Steamers for dinner. During the meal the car ferry, S.S. Badger went by. They came to see our boat. We were glad to have visited with them. Saturday was cool and overcast as we headed out to Pentwater a short 10 mile trip. We anchored in Little Bayou. There we saw Meandering and Erben Renewal. Pentwater was hopping because it was Homecoming Weekend. There were Spartan fans all over the place. We found out George Perles was born in Pentwater. They had a grand parade with Spartan band members past and present, antique cars, and even one float celebrating U of M. The highlight of the parade was the clown band, a group of local musicians in various types of costumes. They play very well. Manistee, Ludington, and Pentwater were a lot of fun.
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| Dinghy in Ludington |
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| Big Sable Lighthouse |
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
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Two Minx eating a fish in Manistee |
Swans by the boat in Frankfurt
Garden in Frankfurt
Sunset in Frankfurt
Pointe Betsie Lighthouse
Sand Dunes along the Lake Michigan Shore
On Saturday August 3rd we had a bumpy ride from Leland to Frankfurt. But we didn't mind because of the breathtaking views along the Sleeping Bear Lakeshore. During this leg of our trip we also saw our first two Lake Michigan freighters and passed North and South Manitou Island and the Point Betsie Lighthouse. As we travelled and saw Sleeping Bear Point and the Manitous, I thought of the legend of the mother bear and her two cubs. We anchored in Frankfurt. We again saw Erben Renewal. We took the dinghy to town and walked the main street. Then we found a market and bought a few groceries. Imagine taking a dinghy to go grocery shopping. On Sunday we stayed in Frankfurt. We noticed there is a constant parade of fishing boats going out and coming in. We decided to treat ourselves to lunch in town. To work up an appetite we walked to the pier where there was a magnificent view of the sand dunes. We went to Stormcloud Brewery (recommended by a couple in Leland). We had a conversation with the owner. He was so interested in our Great Loop story that he took our picture and said he was going to put it on his facebook page. Monday was an easy trip from Frankfurt to Manistee. We met two looper couples. Meandering is from Ottawa Canada and Fredrica Lady from St. Simons Island, GA. We enjoyed sharing experiences and stories, while watching two minx having a salmon dinner We are sure we will meet these folks again.
Friday, August 2, 2013
On Thursday, July 17 we left our beautiful anchorage in Oyster Bay and made our way back to Round Lake in Charlevoix and then into Lake Michigan. As we made our way to Grand Traverse Bay, we encountered a rain squall, which was not long lasting. Today we docked in Northport. The sailboat Summerlea came in behind us. We met them last February and the Great Lakes Crusing Club Rendezvous in Punta Gorda, Florida. We into downtown Northport and of course found a coffee shop. On Wednesday, we went farther south to Suttons Bay. Here we anchored and took our dinghy into town. They had a dinghy dock which is very convenient. Suttons Bay is a lovely village. They did not have a coffee shop but they did have a gelato store. (Mmmm!) From Suttons Bay on Thursday, August 1st, we journeyed out of Grand Traverse Bay back into Lake Michigan. The lake was "lumpy," but we still enjoyed the beautiful coastline and we got our first look at sand dunes. We docked in Leland. There were two other boats here doing the loop. We met the owners of Erben Renewal anchored at Beaver Island. There were also two other boats that had completed the loop and were proudly displaying their gold loop burgees. Leland is wonderful little village. Fishing used to be its main industry, but now only one fish market remains and the town has other types of stores and shops which are for people who visit the marina and come by car. The marina is an attraction for Leland visitors and there is a constant flow of people walking the docks to look at the boats. At the fish market we purchased some fresh trout as well as fish pate. After supper a couple from Indiana stopped by wanting to know how we prepared for our trip. We also invited them onto the boat for a tour. Today, we were supposed to leave for Frankfurt, but some rain squalls came through and we decided to stay another day. Oh yes, I found a coffee shop.
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| Oyster Bay in Lake Charlevoix |
Oyster Bay in Lake Charlevoix
Anchorage in Boyne City
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House on Round Lake in Charlevoix
Charlevoix Municipal Marina
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| Leland Fishtown |
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| Old Leland Fishing Village |
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| Leland Dam |
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