Full day inGrand Haven

Hi F and F, 

We started the morning with a big breakfast.

Graeme's favorite , Black Pudding( look it up fi you don't know what it is) eggs and toast.Oh and the fresh homegrown tomatoes.

Afterwards, we went to explore the Main Street, Washington Ave. Graeme found a place to get a haircut and Erice had fun poking atound the various boutiques and stores. Later we found out the Kirby House restaurant had , yes you guessed it, fish tacos!!! So we had a nice lunch sitting outside in the sunshine..The tacos were great .Different from others we have had in the past.You made your own here , everything was on the plate to assemble them.

Back to the boat to get our golf clubs. Erica had arranged the Transit bus pickup from the Marina and a tee time at the Grand Haven Golf Club for 3 pm. Only thing with the bus is they are also picking people up from all over, it's not like a regular bus route..But we got there in time and had a great 9 holes of golf with rain and thunderstorms threatening but never fully arriving! GrandHaven golf course has great tree lined fairways and greens and is one of the country's top rated courses.

Eriica was happy with her score of 40 on the 9 holes and Graeme was happy his ball kept bouncing off the trees and back into the fairway!

Dinner was on board in the evening and soon it was time to watch the 10 pm Musical Giuntian show again.

The song " I am Proud to be an American "was very touching with the fountain flashing red, blue and white lights. That was the grand finale for the show.

Over and Out , 

E and G

GrandHaven

Hi F and F, 

Well we are now up to day 51 on the boat! And Graeme and Erica are still getting along well!!!

Just loving this adventure so far! Especially Erica! Capt Graeme is doing a very good job driving the boat and docking at all the different marinas and anchoring places! Its team work on a boat that makes it work well, just like marriage!!

Just as we were about to leave Pentwater, a lady on the boat behind us called out " I have an excess of  homegrown tomatoes, would you like some? " What  a kind thought, and we happily accepted the gift.

We headed out back onto the Lake Michigan into the wind with 1 ft seas but no problems. It is three hour journey to Grand Haven.

Around 11 am Erica made freshly cut tomato with humus on cream crackers, for a snack. Yum!

A snack halfway on the journey seems to keep us happy.

Lots more sand dunes to see on our way down and fortunately no more Indian fishing nets although we are still keeping an eye out .It was near the Grand Haven entrance , our friends hit one with their props! 

Easy docking at the Municipal Marina.So far the city public  marinas have been great and with very adequate facilities.Good deal price wise also.

At PentWater a private Marina, they actually measured out our boat length and charged us for 54 ft instead of the 48/50 ft we have been saying. Only other time we had that happen was in Tadussac (Canada) last year where they brought out a measuring tape ! By the time you add the dingy it does get to be slightly longer.

As we came into the river entrance to GrandHaven , the beach was packed with holiday makers and lots of caravans.Quite something.

Set off for lunch to get Graeme his fish tacos fix.Snug Harbor seemed the place along the river walk.But when we asked the server she said that was the special two weeks ago, not on the menu now! So we had quesadillas instead and they were great! 

Later,  Erica took the Harbor Transit bus for the costly sum of 75 cents to Meijers supermarket .

A Funny story to tell about that. When Erica got on the bus , the driver said the fare would be $1.50 and as she sat down and read the price chart , it said those over 59 yrs paid just 75 cents!

So when she told the driver she was 64 , he said well wouldn't he have believed that!He then called up the dispatchers and said don't charge her for the return journey.

This is an amazing service , just like Manistee, all subsided by the State.

Back for a shower and ready to entertain our new dock neighbors with drinks and nibbles by 6 pm.

Turns out David is a trial lawyer and he and his wife Andrea live in Chicago. Nice couple, similar age to us. We then walked over to Dancing on the Grand at the Waterfront Stadium.Its was just a few yards away from our boat. It is held in July and August everyWednesday evening 7 to 9 pm.

Another girl band was playing called 6- Pak Band .Lots of people out dancing to the rock and roll music..We had a light supper on board and got ready for the Musical Fountain show  which started at 10 pm.We had ringside seats from  our cockpit. It's a GrandHaven tradition since1963. Every night in the summer ,on the hill on the other side of the river, they put on this water fountain show complete with music and colored lights.Lasts about 20 mins.

 

Great  way to end the day.

Over and Out, 

E and G.

A couple ore photos at Pentwater

Photos Mainstee and journey to Pentwater

Not Ludington , but instead Pentwater!

Hi F and F, 

We decided to have a leisurely  start today as we were still keen to do some of the historic walking tour and see the lovely old homes here.Manistee puts out a booklet on a self guided Historic sites tour. We chose the East side section and got to see examples of the products of the wealth of the 1800's and Victorian, Greek and Italian style homes. It was a 1 1/2 mile trip.Erica took lots of photos.

Just as we were about to leave around  11 am, our dock neighbor suggested we might like Pentwater rather than Ludington and so we changed plans and head an extra 12 miles south to the little lake and Shug harbor Marina. There we fueled up and got a most through pump out we have ever had!

The young guy flushed out the tank at least three times with fresh water , so we are sqecky clean In that department now! In fact all the guys were very helpful heer.

The guys then pushed the boat manually back behind the fuel dock and tied up to the wall.Its a 

lovely spot looking out onto the little lake. Did the walk through the one street town  and bought the usual icecream .Couldnt resist stopping at the Lemonade Stand Children's Boutique to pick up some baby items. Back for a read and rest then in the evening headed back to the Gull Landing Retsaurant for dinner.Erica had Salmon and Graeme the Ribs. Afterwards we walked down to the Village Green to listen to a group playing western music. Every Tuesday in the summer, groups can just set up and play music there. Very pleasant evening.

Over and Out, 

E and G

A note, 

We were sorry to miss seeing Ludington and especially the SS Badger.But you can't do it all, and that was fine by us.

This old Car Ferry is driven by coal is still in use todayShe has been sailing for the past 60 years across to Wisconsin.and is  the only ship of its kind in the world still in service.

 

Manistee our next port of call

Hi F and F,

Usual issues no wifi, so playing catchup again!

We had an easy run out to the entrance of Lake Michigan .There we found lumpy seas with 2 ft waves  but a lovely sunny day. Passing lots of sand dunes along the way.

It was a short 1hr 45 min journey and we were soon heading up the river to the Manistee Municipal Marina. We bowed into no 4. Slip, facing the river walk path. Good thing we were not too close to the river bridge noise or lots of passing people. A perfect slip. Very nice Marina bathroom and lounge facilities. As the usual story , (wifi not working waiting for the tech guy to comeh , we headed off into the main Street of town( called River Street,no guessing why!) stopped for lunch at Goody's  where we could get wifi. This town is called Michigan's  "Victorian Port City" with its wonderful 19 th century restored collection of  Victorian era buildings.It also has a mile and a half long scenic Riverwalk which takes you out to the river entrance of Lake Michigan. 

After lunch we walked River Street and then headed for the 1 pm Trolley bus tour of the town.

This service is run by the Manistee County Transport as is the wonderful Dial a Ride service where you can call in and have a bus take you or pick you up anywhere in the area. Bus costs $1 for Seniors and $2 for adults! And that's to go anywhere!

Tim our guide on the trolley bus was very enthusiastic about his hometown and filled us with lots of interesting information and history on the 50 min trip.Highly recommend doing it if you visit here.

We saw lots of lovely old homes , built back in1800's by lumber Barons. Lumber made more individual fortunes than Califorina gold Sadly the town had a big fire here in Oct 1871 and much of it was destroyed then. It was the same year Chicago had their big fire.

There used to be 100 ft high sand dunes here  and the silica was extracted and sold to the automotive industry for making glass windows in their cars. We also passed the Ramsdell Theatre where we learned James Earl Jones the actor ( Star Wars and other films) got his first break.

Apparently he was a stutterer as a child and he was encouraged to try acting here and the help he was given enabled him to overcome this problem. Stopped on the way back in a few fun shops , The Ideal Kitchen, being one of them.Had everything you could possible want for a kitchen!

Graeme spied an old recipe book on display written by Graham Kerr our famous NZ TV cook. So he told the shop owner the history of how Graham Kerr got his start as a chef.He was trained in NZ as an Air Force chef!So funny to see him dressed in his three piece suit ( complete with pocket handkerchief ) on the cover of the book. You Kiwis may remember him! 

Erica had arranged with Dial a Ride to be picked up at 3.30 pm so we could play golf at the Manistee Golf and CC. A great deal $25 per person including the cart and the course sat on the edge of Lake Michigan.After we finished, we headed back to the club house for a beer.

At the bar , we got talking to the serving lady.Turns out she has horses  and works with some emotionally disturbed kids and her horses. So soon Laura and Erica were sharing horse stories!

As the Dail a Ride service had finished for the day , Laura organized us a ride back to the boat with the club scretary who was just leaving. What kind ladies. So impressed with the friendliness in this state.

Also learned from Laura  that Mortons and Lawrys table salt comes from here.

We had light dinner on board and then Graeme relaxed and Erica took off on the Riverwalk to getsome  sunset photos .

So ended a lovely day.Wish we had known those place was such a hidden gem , we would have stayed longer.

Over and Out, 

E and G

Full day in Frankfort

Hi F and F, 

Early morning started with lightening and rain around 5 am.This rain then continued throughout the day until about 1.30 pm.So nice lazy day inside the boat reading.  We were able to get out for a brief spell to buy some goodies at the Crescent Bakery on Main St which we had for breakfast and lunch.

Sun came out around 2.30 pm and we got out the  bikes and biked around the 2 miles to Elberta at the far end of Lake Betsie.Nice wide paved biking trail.

Stopped for a drink at a shop there., Erica had a very unusual cider apple vinegar and ginger combo and Graeme root beer Both made locally in Michigan. Then we cycled to the end of the island right opposite where we are staying in the Marina.Decided to take a short steep climb up the hill to the vantage point where we could see more sand dunes and the entrance off Lake Michigan into Lake Betsie. We learnt an interesting fact there, Back in1892 Car Ferry Operations started from Lake Betsie to Keewaunce, Wisconsin .This was the world's first use of car ferries across such an expanse of water.Remember Lake Michigan is 300 miles long and 80 miles wide.

Later headed for dinner at Coho. A restaurant recommended by John our dock master. It was

advertised as having fresh, flavorful food with an eclectic zing! Indeed the food was good Erica had Emu Stroganoff and Graeme a Thai Boulibase .Sitting out on the patio boer looking the marinas was very pleasant.

Checked out The Bookstore on the way back.Both ended up buying a book there and looking through a large coffee table book with photographs of Michigan by Todd and Brad Reed .Its called Wednesdays in the Mitten.Some of the photos we recognized.Beautifully done.

Over and Out, 

E and G

Frankfort Another little town off Lake Michigan.

Hi F and F, 

Well a calm day today in South Manitou Island Harbor Just perfect!

Erica went for an early morning swim off the boat.Then we headed off for our next destination .

On the way out , just leaving the Island we saw our first ship wreck (picture below).

This one was deliberately grounded after getting into distress to save the crew and cargo .going through the Manitou Passage can become very nasty on occasions.Fortunately we didn't have this problem today. Water was very calm , best water conditions yet ! 

Entered through two breakwaters to get to the Jacobson 's Marina.

After docking  our friendly dock master to.d us we could only have the slip for one night depict ethe fact I had booked and paid a deposit for two nights.Oh well, he offered us a discount if we would be prepared to move 5 slips along in the morning .

The town is just one street away and we made a walk down one end and up the other. At one end are two nice beaches and lots of families were out enjoying the water on this hot day.

We had a pour usual kiddie size icecream and checks out the shops and restaurants.

Back on the boat Erica did some more fly control.

We must have brought another 20 flies across with us from the island.

Graeme prepared a curry dinner for this evening.Erica went off for a long shower.

Very friendly boaters in this Marina .

We think some come here every summer on their boats.

Over and Out

E and G

Leland ferry and more Leland photos

Photos Leland ferry and South Manitou Island

Off to Anchor on South Manitou Island

H F and F, 

Decided to leave just before the 10 am South Manitou ferry .

It was an easy trip across to the big natural c shaped  bay, a favorite anchoring spot for boaters.

There are no facilities on the island , just a few camping grounds and the summer in resident park ranger and his volunteers.No wifi for sure.You can anchor almost up to the shore line  as there are good depths of 30 ft very close in.We found our spot near three other power boats who were anchored there for the day. Later several sailboats came to anchor for the night. Graeme put out about 150 feet of chain, the most we had ever done! Expected winds in the night.

We realised we were getting bitten  by these small deer flies and the boat was full of them inside.

Apparently the hot weather brings the out.We shut the doors and proceeded to use the fly swot to eradicate the problem.

Erica made lunch doing a dance as the little creature bit ankles , legs and arms. The plan  was to go for a picnic on the island, but once ashore we realized that was impossible , the flies were even worse on land.Change of plan, picnic lunch on the boat and a change of clothing, jeans and long sleeved shorts were in order!

Erica had bought a book on the Island  history and a walking plan, so we set off to first see the Sth Manitou lighthouse .

It stands 104 ft high.We climbed  up the 117 steps with the park ranger volunteer and learned the history of the lighthouse.Had a fabulous view of the surrounding area  and the bay. It was commissioned in 1871, and was a familiar landmark for sailors negotiating the Manitou Passge , a tricky piece of water as the many shipwrecks in the area prove.

Then we walked back through the abandoned village houses , whch are now used by the park rangers and volunteers. We walked a mile down a long leafy lane to Lake Florence an inland lake named after 

Florence Haas ( 1863 -1943 ) She got her pilots license to operate a motor launch and was the first woman postmaster carrying the mail between the island and the mainland.She also acted as midwife on the Island. As we neared the inland lake the flies were gone ,but now we were being attacked by scores of mosquitos! We broke off large fern leafs to act as switches.

Erica still got many bites , thank goodness for after bite cream back on the boat.We then walked another 1/2 mile to see the school house.It sits all on its own far away for the village .

Most strange! The one room school house was also used for meetings and social activities.

Some where further  in the center of the Island are the remains of giant white cedar trees.Some more than 500 years old. We decided we had had enough of creature attacks and headed for the shore and back to the boat.Generator on and air con on , oh the relief.We probably walked about 5 miles today.

Dinner on board later ,Graeme even ventured out to the cockpit to use the BBQ.

Actually by then the fly attacks had lessened and we were able to eat outside.

Beautiful views from back of the boat and we watched the sun go down in still and quiet.

So much nicer in a way that being in a Marina, where everyone is stopping by looking into your boat and discussing it.Bit like being a goldfish in a bowl sometimes!

Over and Out, 

E and G

A few more Leland photos

Photos of Suttons Bay

Full day in Leland

Hi Fand F, 

Today we set off by car to visit Suttons Bay ,Erica had promised Graeme a more leisurely day and we headed off to find a nice breakfast place called Martha's Leelanau Table.Great choice ! Sat in a nice outdoor patio area.The other good one is Latitude 45.

We walked the town lined both sides of the main road with Norman Rockwell businesses housed in restored 19 th century buildings.Erica found a cardigan, just the right color at Bahle's Store.This place has been in operation for 140 years!

As thunderstorms and rain were threatening to come very soon we headed back to Leland, stopping just in time to buy some fresh cherries and raspberries from a road side stall. Money in the honesty  box beside the produce.Then the heavens opened and we had the windscreen wipers on top speed all the way back.

Great we could bring the car back to the Marina , leave the keys with the dock master and head back to the boat.Good deal. Rained for several hours then skies cleared  and we went out to visit the local museum.Interesting  exhibits on the local fishermen.Many came from Bavaria , Germany and Scandinavia .Also history of the Manitou Islands. We plan to go o South Manitou tomorrow , weather permitting.Stopped on the way back at Carlson's Fish store .They do lots of local smoke fish and a delicious fish pate.

Later went for a light dinner at the Bluebird Restaurant and Tavern. Very good food.

Fortunately rain seems to have finished for the day.

Hoping for clear weather and low winds tomorrow.

Over and Out, 

E and G

 

Onto Leland Fish town

Hi F and F, 

We left at 9.20 am to get the 9.30 am bridge opening out to Lake Michigan.

Seems most of the towns on the East coast have inlets to take you into a sheltered area off the Lake .

Many are on internal lakes.

We experienced the calm , the choppy , then the calm waters again. as we made the 2 hour journey to Leland.

We got to see our first Indian fishing nets. We also saw the fishing boat out checking the nets, a strange square shaped boat which looked homemade.

These Indian nets can be dangerous as they sit below the surface of the water and as one friend found out, not very prop friendly!! Fortunately these ones had a red buoy at one end and a white buoy at the other end so were clearly marked but in about 75 ft of water. The buoys can be widely spaced apart.

Crystal clear waters as we entered  Leland harbor.Just as well as there is significant shoaling on the right side but again clearly marked with red buoys.

Erica had rented a car from Hertz at Traverse City Airport.They brought the car out to the Marina late morning.Fee was more than the car rental for 24 hours,  but worth it.

Once settled ,we headed off down to Empire where the National Park center was for the Sleeping Bear Dunes. You can get a senior National Parks lifetime pass for $10, which you can use all over the USA .

From there we went on the Pierce Stockng Scenic Drive through lovely forest areas and at the Lake Michigan Overlook , saw dramatic views of the dunes and surrounding lakes.

The two Glen lakes were different colors of blue although side by side.

This is due to the water depth.One is 12 ft deep the other up to 300 ft in the center.

The forests were on pine and beech trees mainly. We stopped on the way back to sample some local wines at the Good Harbor Vineyards This winery has been going since 1980 .Then onto the boat for early dinner , and back on the road again retracing our steps as far as the big Dune Climb.

The one in is on all the postcards.

Erica's plan was to see the sun set from the top of the dune and Graeme somewhat went along with the plan! It was such a beautiful clear night, so was going to be good.

We started the climb and it was steep.Then the second dune appeared ( a smaller one ) and finally a third steeper one.Could we see the Michigan lake from there , well sort of.Turns out we were still a way from the avantage point, so we gave up.Apparently Empire Bluffs has a good vantage point if you plan to go. I wish the lady at the Park office had given us more detail re the Dune Climb.

Saw a lovely old farm house on the way back to the boat

These barns belonging  to DH Day raised cattle and hogs back starting in1890.

Great to get back , shower and go to bed after a full day.

Over and Out 

E and G