Last day before a break

Hi F and F, 

So today  we head off for a break , first five days to visit kids and grandson Sebastain in NYC , then onto Lakewood Ranch for ten days before heading back to Saugatuck again and our onward journey south.

Lovely day , so after completing our packing, we walked down through the town , took some photos and then got ready for our taxi pickup for 10 am . Cyndi picked us up on time for our 45 min  ride to Grand  Rapids Airport.

Along the way we stopped at Cummins Service dept. they will do our 1,000 hours oil change on the boat while we are away.

So  now we are now at Chicago airport and Erica will resume the blog after 17 th August.

Over and Out, 

E and G

Full day in Saugatuck

Hi F and F, 

We had researched the bus service here and again we were able to get on the Interurban bus for the princely sum of $1 for the two of us, here also!

A leisurely morning and we headed off to Douglas another small town about 15 mins drive around the Kalamazoo River.

We first enjoyed a coffee and cake at the popular coffee shop on  Main Street.

Then wandered though  the various galleries and small boutiques.t stood out one was called the Button Gallery with wonderful water paintings, and the second had some unusual prints with houses held up by hot air balloons , or on trains, or in trees.

Very well done!

Graeme had spied a Rooster with western boots on , quite whimsical with long legs and decided he would like it.

Erica meantime had been in the children's store, and purchased a few things. Back on the bus and to the boat for a late lunch.

Dave a Sabre dealer stopped by also.He is the guy who is letting us use a slip he has here in Saugatuck.

Later after a cocktail,  we headed to Marro's Italian restaurant for dinner.

Erica had been town during the day checking the restaurant scene and this looked good.

Past by the Singapore Yacht Club.You may wonder what was that doing here in USA! We think it's a kind of virtual club .

Dinner was indeed great Erica had a very good shrimp scampi and Graeme Barachiola a kind of meat dish with pasta.

 Then onto the Mason St Warehouse to see a great show called Murder for Two.

Billed as a snazzy double act ( with only two actors) it spins a comedy mysteryThe amazing actors sang , played the piano and acted out the whodunit murder story.One of the actors played many parts including parts for women and children. We were well entartained for two hours no intermission.

Walked back through the town now devoid of tourists.

A lovely day and evening

Over and Out, 

E and G

August 1st and day 56 onboard No Mutiny yet!!!!

Hi F and F, 

Today off to Saugatuck , just 8 miles away but a long river to go up to reach the destination.

First more washing of the boat as well as of linens and towels, as our next slip has no bathroom or washing facilities.

A kind Sabre dealer has given us a private slip to leave our boat in for our 2 1/2 weeks off the boat.

So left mid afternoon and the journey took us just over one hour , half of that was going up the river.

Just past the Chain Ferry,  we parked our boat outside the Mermaid Bar and Grill.

Went off in search of an onion for our quesadillas tonight.

Eica asked where to buy one at an art gallery and she recommended going to the deli River Market.There is no supermarket in Saugatuck , only Douglas  a little distance away.

So we got there to find he only sold bananas! Erica told Jim our dilemma and he said wait a minute.Then back comes Jim with a large onion he has for his deli sandwiches!

So kind! 

Good way to end the day.

Over and Out 

E and Gschultzbax@aol.com, angely1983@msn.com, lfhersh@msn.com, charisse9935@gmail.com, paulmac1928@gmail.com, patricia@mckeithen.net, ejwheatley2000@yahoo.com, ginnyhull0214@yahoo.com, maxmybigboy@gmail.com, dollynvince@gmail.com, macakc3326@aol.com, jbrazill1295@gmail.com, carolannvasile@yahoo.com, hyphie1@hotmail.com, lindajane54@hotmail.com

Holland and ongoing

HiFand F, 

So rental car returned, driven back to the boat and dinner onboard.

Big day!

Over and Out , 

E and G

2 nd Day in Holland Continued

Sorry couldnt fit it on the one page!

So , back to the Gardens and the Windmill.

We had a great tour and learnt lots of facts and climbed up five of the seven levels inside the windmill.

Each blade is 80 ft made from steel. The grinding only occurs when the wind is right.

This windmill was deconstructed in the Netherlands  and reassembled here.

Lovely views over the farmland and the Fresian horses grazing below in the fields.

Then it was back down to watch the wooden clog dancing in the shade of the windmill.

Our lovely blond guide who was Dutch also, was one of the dancers.

Wandered back through the gardens.

Last stop onto the Holland museum, with its things all Dutch and the history of the settlers from the real Holland .Apparently the Dutch settlers were originally heading for Wisconin, but they heard there were cheaper lands in this area. Go thrifty Dutch! 

There was a hidden gem , a wonderful art gallery and Dutch furniture in an upstairs room. Erica had lived with similar items in her childhood home.

Also a little room set with the delft tiles. And a painting so like we remembered visiting the Netherlands.

Two Full Days in Holland

Hi F and F, 

How nice to have two full days and a rental car to use here in the Dutch town of Holland.

As you know Erica's father came from Holland , Netherlands , so fun to touch base with the Dutch roots.Erica had already researched the places to see .

But first day was going to be a cleanup boat day.So both inside and out got a thorough cleaning.

Erica and  Graeme worked as a team which was great .Erica did have a diversion off to the Nail shop, 

In the afternoon. Drinks on board early evening, then as a reward for all the hard work we headed into Holland city and had dinner at Butch's Dry Dock.

This restaurant has been rated as 1 of 800 world wide restaurants ( for wine ) in Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence . What is unique about this place is they have a large wine selection where you can chose a bottle off the shelf and pay a small corkage fee to have at your table.

Lovely evening and our waiter was wonderful.

Our second full day was our planned sightseeing day.

First , Erica headed off to a church she had seen just 5 mins away.The Park Church is a Christian Reformed  Church. Apparently they broke away from the he Dutch Reformed Church here because they didn't want services all in Dutch anymore, especially now they were in America.So I wa still.

A wonderful service , friendly people and a great sermon about Paul , Timothy and Barnabus, the missionaries of the New Testament.There was a lovely young couple at church who are Missionaries in Jordan.So it was very appropriate. Erica chatted to the couple afterwards.

Back to the boat and we head off for our tour.

Passed the house with its own windmill!

First the Veldheer Tulip Garden ( now finished for the season which is in May) and DeKlomp Wooden Shoe and Delft Factory.Lots of clogs and delft porcelain there to purchase! 

Then onto Neil's Dutch Village and Shops for lunch. Erica also got to make strop waffles there.

 

Thn onto the Windmill Islands Gardens with its 250 year old  real Dutch De Zwaan working windmill.

It grinds wheat, rye and corn , by the only Dutch certified Miller in the Americas , Alisa Crawford.

Going to visit Holland , the Dutch side of Michigan !

Hi F and F, 

It will be another short trip of an hour and half down the coast to Holland. Erica first wanted to check out a knitting shop before we left so with some help from the dock staff and a computer , she set off to find Needle Smith store. A good walk of 20 mins and a post office on the way made the trip very productive.

The two ladies running the knitting store were lovely.They of course we're very interested to hear we were living on our boat and the journey we were making.

They gave Erica two tips to pass along. The woolens  ball you can use in your dryer to replace fabric sheets  ( which can ruin your dryers long term) can be easily made.In fact the directions how to make them are on line.Just use good wool with no synthetic threads.

Also white vinegar can be used instead of fabric softners in your washing machine. Check internet for instructions.This will also prevent your washing machine from clogging up.

Back to the boat and Graeme was ready to depart, possible thunderstorms coming.

We headed out near 11 am. In no time we were off Lake Michigan and into Lake Macatawa to our slip at Eldeans Shipyard .Fueled up first at the dock.Graeme likes to leave the boat with almost full fuel when we leave the boat for a 2 1/2 week break . That will be at our next stop 8 miles away.

Interestingly, the lovely clear blue water has no been replaced with brown water.We also noticed that first in GrandHaven .

Good slip at Eldean's  shipyard and lovely facilities Modern bathrooms and a lovely pool and clubhouse. The Marina is about a 15 min drive into Holland and Erica had already arranged with Enterprise for a free rental car pick up at the dock, for 3.30 pm.

Unfortunately our pickup driver Nate ended up at the wrong Marina but he finally worked it out .

Very chatty young man and wanted to know lots about our travels and life as we headed back to Enterprise dealership. Got a nice little metallic blue Hyundai Accent to use.

We then drove off to Saugatuck to check out our dock arrangements for Monday in three days time.

A busy little place , very touristy and lots of people !

In the meantime we will enjoy the peace and quiet of Eldean's.

Had dinner on board and relaxed for the evening.

Over and Out , 

E and G