Day 23 & 24; Pentwater/Day 25-28 Grand Haven

We would love to see the sun for more than a few minutes @ a time.  Fog, fog & more fog! We arrived in Pentwater and we are back to quiet, almost empty Marinas.  There were more boats on the hard (in the parking lot) than in the water.  Lots of folks getting a slow start to summer probably due to the ice hanging in the Lake for so long & the cold temperatures even now. They have a Geese problem @ this place for sure.  All Geese do is eat & poop, sorry but it's true! You had to watch every step on the sidewalks around the marina.  The dock hand did spray our area off after we arrived.

Met an interesting couple, Pat & Dick who were docked in front of us in a 46' DeFever.  They were headed to Leamington, (back to our neck of the woods) for a Great Lake Cruisers Rendezvous and then onto starting the loop for the second or third time.  They both had sailed extensively here & in other countries and had great stories to share. Dick has earned the name, "Old Goat" because he has raced in 30 MAC races.  Needless to say, they were an inspiration especially due to the fact that they are more than 20 years older than we are & still traveling the seas.

After we had been docked for awhile; the SeaRay Nanga Mai pulled in. We were glad to meet up with Linda & Gregg once more after being dock partners in Frankfort. We knew they were planning to come to Pentwater & after hearing them talk about the place, we decided to visit also.  Linda generously not only shared her wealth of local knowledge with me but she shared chocolate truffles which were out of this world, even better than my favorite Godiva's.  One of their relatives is the originator of Grocers Daughter's Chocolate in Empire, MI & their cousin had brought them a box. Go on line to chocolate@grocersdaughter.com & order yourself or someone you love some-delicous! They also just opened a new store in Grand Rapids.

The weather was stinky, so we walked the town some, did laundry & chores.  We didn't even get our bikes or dinghy out.  We haven't been in our dinghy since Memorial Day @ Middle Bass Island in Lake Erie.

Day 25, Wednesday, we leave, it's still foggy but we can see to get out of the harbor.  It's foggy & cool, so what's new? I shouldn't complain because when the fog finally moves out for good, then, they say, is when the winds start up.

We arrive in Grand Haven, our 18th stop in 25 days and I wonder why all these quaint towns are beginning to run together in my mind. We had called a few days before to the Municipal marina about a dock & they told us they were full for the weekend.  We thought maybe if we got there on a Weds. and got settled they would let us stay, otherwise we knew we could get into a private marina on the other side of the river, but not close to town. As we pulled up in front of this Marina, we counted 2 boats in the more than 20 docks; we figured we would be ok to stay and we were.

The trailers in the background are in the State Park,
where our friends Dan & Kathy camped this summer

One of Grand Haven's claims to fame is The Musical Fountain which began in 1962, way before Bellagio in Vegas had their fountains. We had front row seats for the fountain, which runs once a day @ 10:00 PM. It is quite impressive actually. The Annual Coast Guard Festival is the other big event but that is later in the summer. Grand Haven opens onto a big inland lake where there are many, many more boats & houses.  We finally took our dinghy out & went exploring.  Still in a sweatshirt instead of bathing suit but the sun did come out & felt great.

Doug & his dinghy

Last year when we traveled around the coastline of Lake Superior, we warned our friends & family that we probably would be out of touch some due to the remoteness of the area.  On this trip, I told all we should never be without services because we are in a much more civilized area right? Grand Haven Municipal Marina did NOT have wifi, not even bad wifi, just no wifi, can you imagine? That is why I haven't blogged sooner.

Can you tell which one is "60"

On Day 27, we took a slight detour from our boat travels & actually rented a car for a day and drove back to Toledo.  A major event was happening in Jeri's life & she insisted we be there, to celebrate her 60th Birthday and we agreed we should be there to do just that.  It was very special in many ways; Jeri had been designing, remodeling & decorating an old caretaker's cabin in one of the metro parks in Toledo; Oak Openings. She was able to host her party there for us all to see her beautifully completed project. It was a picture perfect day & many of her friends showed up to wish her well & remind her of how great she looks. "Still sexy @ 60!"

On Day 28, we were back to our boat in time to watch the fountain one more time. This time the fog was gone & the song choices were great! We did take advantage of having the car & stopped @ Meijer & Walmart loading up on the heavy & bigger items like wine & propane.  Actually we filled the trunk with groceries.

I think I found my Daddy!

He can make friends with anyone!

Frankfort, MI, Day 20-22

We found out by looking back @ our pictures from 1998, that we have been to Frankfort before & actually had stayed @ this same marina-who knew, we didn't! Our minds are going to mush. So some of the pics I'm including here are from our last trip (the dunes & lighthouse) because we had better weather then & prettier pics, hope that isn't considered cheating. We did take them, just not this year. 

Point Betsie Light house

Friday morning, we headed out of Leland with overcast skies & calm waters. Our weather has not been great, but we don't let that deter us. As we were nearing our next port of Frankfort, the marine radio came alive with chatter of a 59 foot yacht 18 miles west of Frankfort needing assistance due to running out of fuel. Really?? They were traveling with 2 other boats coming across Lake Michigan from Wisconsin. They were drifting in thick fog, luckily with calm winds & no waves. The Frankfort Coast Guard were communicating with the distressed boat but did not plan to send a boat out to them, we think for 2 reasons; they were not in immediate life threatening distress & the Coast Guard inflatable was not big enough to tow them. Eventually they did dispatch a boat from Muskegon, which was going 2 take them @ least 2 hours to reach them. Instead, an 80 foot privately owned yacht from Jacobson's Marina headed out & towed them in. We were cruising along the shoreline, so we weren't near them & we were not in the fog. When we arrived@ Jacobson's Marina, we docked next to one of the boats that had been traveling with the distressed yacht & they told us, the 59 foot Cruiser was a brand new boat & they had put fuel in that morning, so something was wrong.  Luckily for them, the broker who had sold them the boat was on the 80 foot rescue yacht.  The reason these boats & many other beautiful yachts were @ the same Marina we found ourselves, was because this broker had planned a rendezvous for all the Yachts it had sold.  So a party was about to ensue as soon as all the visiting yachts arrived. A tent had been set up, food was grilling & a band was scheduled to play both nights. 

As if these kids didn't get
enough sledding this winter!

The next morning, we walked to the craft fair, on the Main Street which they had closed for the occasion & then onto the Farmers Market just down the street then to the local park where there was a car show. We purchased a rag rug, spring mix lettuce, strawberries, asparagus & tomatoes. Later in the day, we rode our bikes to the other side of Lake Betsie to the summer solstice festival in Elberta, there was a carnival-like atmosphere with bands playing. After checking out the festival, we rode a few miles on the bike path through woods & I picked wildflowers. We met our dock neighbors Greg & Linda who keep their SeaRay in Saugatuck but now live on Sanibel Island. Linda gave me great info regarding private marinas for the rest of our trek down the Michigan coast. Thank you Linda & Greg for all your help. 

We met up w/ a super nice family in Leland & then again here; Mike, Heidi & their twins. They took their boat, "Let Er Fly" out to fish & returned w/ some beautiful salmon which they shared w/ us; can't tell you how thrilled I was. They own a charter & hotel out of Door Peninsula, Wisconsin called: The Salmon Depot. I highly recommend their service, he really knows what he's doing. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of grilled fresh salmon & lovely salads with all the fresh ingredients I had collected from the Farmers Markets.  After dinner we took a walk along the sand beach & pier. We watched the fireworks from the solstice festival across the lake then took our after dinner drinks & soaked in the hot tub. Wish I could say under the stars but it has been so cloudy, we haven't seen a sunset or stars for a few nights. What a great date night!

They wanted to put the duck in with the mermaid but I was afraid
he wouldn't want to leave

As if our trip here to Frankfort wasn't eventful enough, we had visitors on Day 22-yahoo! It was newly coined Cousin Day. My paternal cousin Sue & husband Dwayne have a place near Suttons Bay on Lake Michigan. They drove about an hour to visit & have lunch with us. After lunch we all walked out to the beach & pier on Lake Michigan & watched the fog move in & out. It was great to see them & catch up.  

Cousin Sue & husband Dwayne

Around cocktail time, Doug's maternal cousin, Geri & her husband Rick stopped to see us, on their way back north to Traverse City, where they live. When we were in Traverse City, they were out of town. The sun actually had come out & warmed our back deck enough to enjoy cocktails & dinner there. 

Cousin Geri & husband Rick

Thanks for the visits; it really means a lot to us. Anyone else want to come see us, just drop us a line!

Northport & Leland, Michigan

Day 16/17; we headed to Northport from Traverse City.  Northport is located on Traverse Bay, still off Lake Michigan & still in high demand.  People here have waited up to 11 years to obtain a permanent dock-Wow! Our cruise was uneventful, calm blue water & blue skies with warm, lovely temperatures.

chilling with the dead guy!

after all his chores!

Northport is another happening, small place with shops, bars & restaurants.  We enjoyed a wine tasting & purchased some great local wines.  What we noticed is how nice the people are.  They have a great visitors center with all kinds of literature from the area. We met a really great couple; Deb & John.  They summer on their Tiara & know how to enjoy & appreciate the water. Our second day was going to be a long 20 mile bike ride or a dinghy ride out to the Lighthouse, but alas, the rain, cold & fog prevailed & we stayed dockside.  I did laundry; best washers & dryers I've ever used; they were Frigidaires & the appliances had the most settings I have ever seen plus shhh... don't want this to get out-they were free!!  We did have to leave our driver's license with the harbor master to obtain a key for the laundry room-but hey, no big deal! So if in a month from now our identity's been stolen, then maybe it was a big deal. Chores were completed on this cold, rainy day.

Tim Allen's boat, nothing too fancy or ostentatious!

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

Day 18; brings an overcast cool day with radar showing 2 cells of rain, one north & one south of us. Winds were calm so we decided to head out to Leland.  We had visited Leland back in 2000 with our 27 foot SeaRay. Fishtown is a working, waterfront fishing village for nearly 150 years.  The Carp River (aptly named because we have spotted many huge Carp here in the Marina) flows out to the bay & along the mouth of the river are weathered fish shanties that have been turned into shops. There is an abandoned sawmill that is now a lodge & restaurant/bar and a dam which makes an interesting spot to visit. We had a short cruise and we managed to miss the rain & fog.  Soon after arriving @ the Marina, the fog did settle in.  We explored Fishtown & I bought some fresh fish @ the Carlson Fishery which supplies many of the local Traverse Bay restaurants.

I might get to go fast in this boat!

We enjoyed a nice visit & some red wine with our dock neighbors; Kimberli & Ken from Traverse City who arrived later in the afternoon, in their new 40 foot Hunter sailboat. They are on vacation & sailing the local waters of these beautiful cruising grounds.  They shared some of their great local knowledge with us & we shared some of our Kahlua with them.  Tit for Tat!



We dined @ a Local favorite; The Riverside Inn.  Great location on the serene Leland River; they sat us @ a delightful table by the window (too cool yet to dine alfresco) (I know those of you @ home are enjoying 90 degree weather). The Riverside Inn has welcomed travelers since 1902.


Day 19: staying put in Leland & awoke to sunny skies-yahoo! I walked to the Farmers Market, Thanks to Jenn Sue Kidd for the heads up on that! I found some goodies; goat cheese from a local goat dairy here in Leland-yum. Met a wonderful artist named Charlotte who needs to comment with a web site for her art, please.

We hosted our first visitor from home; Doug's brother Dave.  He & his wife; Susan are camping in their beautiful new, fancy RV in Traverse City this week, so he drove his sleek black, convertible 2 seater Mazda Miata to see us. Thanks for the visit Dave!

Traverse City; Sail Boats, power boats & people, oh my!

Welcome to Traverse City.  We actually passed cruising boats & sailboats out racing, on our way into the Harbor. This is our 14th day underway, having traveled 503 nautical miles for a total of 80 hours. Today was another calm day on the water for us.

Old Mission Point Lighthouse

We decided that we should print new boat cards, so in researching Traverse City, we found they had a Copy Shop not too far from the Marina but they were only open till 1:00 PM on Saturdays.  We docked a little after noon, so we quickly got our cool, folding Dahon bikes out of the engine room & took off.  We ordered our new boat cards & they will be ready for pick up on Monday morning.  Next item on our agenda was to bike to West Marine & pick up some parts that Doug had ordered.  For this trip, we needed to get our new trusty wheeled cart out & hook it to Doug's bike; works slick! We biked about 3 miles to the part of town, that has Loew's, Kohls, Meijer, etc.  It was on a busy street/highway like normal, but luckily there was a bike/walking path the whole way, very bike friendly town. We really tested the new wheeled cart, we strapped on a rigid 7 ft hose coiled into circles with the straps that came with the cart & overloaded the canvas bags with groceries from Meijer.  It held over $100 worth of food.  

This is one of the latest Party ideas! Jacque was treated
to one of these for her retirement party!

These Marina dryers are really hot, I shrunk Jan!

Traverse City is a Bay front town, who has done it right.  When we were rushing to get to the Copy Shop, we passed the Farmers Market set up adjacent to the Marina & Park. Immediately, beyond that is the downtown with multiple Coffee Shops, Restaurants, name brand clothing stores & much more.  The park has very interesting fountains for all to play in with sand beaches on both sides of the Marina. There is a Bijou Movie Theater right in the park. Bike paths going every direction.  Great signage & lots of parking.  

Something else new, this device when worn & hooked up
to a jet ski, lets you hover up in the air with blasts of water
going up & down, like a jet pack

 We walked around town & there were people, shopping, eating, singing & playing music.  We ran across an old fashion ice cream social in another park. We rode by beautiful well kept Victorian homes & mansions on cobblestone roads.  I had been whining to Doug about missing Sushi (Barb's & my treat) & he had assured me I would find some in Traverse city.  We did find a place: Red Ginger that had great reviews on line.  It was located right Downtown-yahoo  We walked there for dinner & sadly found out that they were closed for construction issues.  As we stood there, another couple walked up & I spoke to them of my disappointment & they steered us to a great restaurant, down the street-no sushi but delicious mussels with smoked White fish.

OH, OH!!

It still has been cold, going down into the 40's @ night & only getting to the low 60's during the day with cool breezes. On Day 15, we woke to a bright sunny blue sky morning & it was already 62 degrees, very promising! Granted, it was 9:00 AM, I admit it, I slept in & it felt soooo good. We had decided @Elk Rapids to slow the pace & stay 2 nights everywhere because these are all new stops with a lot to explore.  

We planned to bike to a winery today.  Traverse City doesn't have one right in town. Doug researched & we could take a bike path most of the way to the closest one which was 8 miles away.  Doug cooked us eggs & toast this morning to give us the strength & endurance we would need. Traveling the Leelanau Trail was nice & easy.  It is a former railroad corridor that stretches 15 miles to Suttons Bay (which is where my cousin Sue has a place).  Today we were only staying on the trail for 6 miles.  Little did we know, that after getting off the trail, the rest of the way to the winery would be straight uphill. We had to walk our bikes for quite a stretch. Granted we are out of shape, but even when we biked 75 miles in one day for Bike to the Bay, we didn't have many uphills (a nice thing about Ohio).

The Brengman Brothers Winery was worth the ride-thank goodness. We met one of the brothers, who took us through a nice variety of wines to taste.  Ended up purchasing 3 bottles, luckily we had brought our handy, dandy cart along. We actually split each sample of wine, because I was careful not to drink too much & ride a bike, like the time on Pelee Island, when I fell in the ditch on our way back from the winery to our boat or like our friend Jeri, who fell off her bike after drinking too much of some kind of alcohol & broke both her wrists.  Live & learn! 

We came across an interesting place on our bike exploration, a massive beautiful, colonial designed building of brick, spires, roof peaks, porches & many doors.  We had read about this Village area; one mile from town that housed a wine tasting place, stores & restaurants, so we thought we would check it out.  There were actually quite a few buildings but what really stood out was this massive place.  It was very confusing, but we did go inside & there were hallways going every which way with many arched doorways. There were some shops but they were all closed for the day.  We did find someone closing their shop & asked what this place had been prior. It had been a mental institution, Doug had guessed it right.  One of the biggest in Michigan. The grounds are beautiful.  Part of it are now condo's. There is another big building that is under renovation to be a Senior living community.  The whole place was very cool yet kind of creepy.  One wonders how many lobotomies were performed here & how many tortured souls roam the grounds. 

Another option for the future?

My wild flower find today

We returned to the boat just in time to catch a quick storm passing through, our first of the trip.  Didn't take long & the skies cleared & the sun reappeared.