Trip Diary for September, 2011

Sept. 1-5; Frankfort, MI: After showers Thursday the day started with a wonderful breakfast at Betsie Bay Inn.  Naturally shopping followed, but this time it included Larry at True Value Hardware: items to repair broken dishes and a file drawer.  The afternoon was devoted to boat projects with dinner aboard.  We rented a car Friday from Terry's Auto Sales & Rentals to visit the region.  Travelling north from Frankfort, we purchased plants (for the condo) from Frankfort's huge Crystal Gardens, drove around the large inland Crystal Lake to the village of Beulah and Gwen Frostic's (the late poet, artist, publisher, and nature lover) nearby fabulous, environmentally harmonious shop/store. Another 20 mi. north in light rain, we entered Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore, taking its beautiful Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.  We especially appreciated the viewing stand nearest the sleeping bear dune (Lola listens to the park's cell phone tour) and watching people on the steepest dune (500+ ft.) to the lakeshore, against regulations. Returning from our 100 mi. excursion, we visited the Betsie Point Lighthouse; following its staff recommendation, we next enjoyed a fabulous salad plus a crabcake dinner at Bayview Grille in Frankfort.  A light rain fell most of the day Saturday, but that didn't stop us from heading south to explore that region.  Surprisingly, a few trees were beginning to show fall colors.  Taking local advice, we visited the beautiful Arcadia Bluffs Golf & Resort for a delightful lunch.  It offers a spectacular view of its highly rated golf course and of Lake Michigan, although light fog greatly limited our view.  We next visited Manistee, talking with the municipal marina dockmaster about transient slip options for next week.  Dinner back in Frankfort consisted only of a Kilwin's treat.  We had wanted to relocate south Sunday, but NOAA posted a small craft advisory through Monday evening.  With waves forecast to build to 7-11 ft. it was an easy decision to stay longer in this delightful community.  Following the excellent 10:30 AM service and fellowship time at the very friendly Frankfort UMC, we headed 30 mi. east to Interlochen for the "Sunday Blues Brunch" at historic (since 1909!) Hofbrau.  We then swung by south Traverse City for some brief shopping before returning at 4 PM.  Lola baked brownies and a peach pie.  Already stiff winds, as forecast, began to increase about 5 PM.  By 7:30, Lake Michigan surge was coming noticeably through the breakwater into protected Betsie Lake and the Lola Marie began to really rock-n-roll despite the addition of more lines and fenders.  After an hour of this torture, Larry retied so only the lines held the boat from the dock pilings.  This improved everything except getting on/off, but it made sleeping aboard feasible.  Monday morning, Labor Day, was boat cleaning time.  We timed lunch at Villa Marine Bar & Grill so the 2 PM arrival of new crew Sharon and Keith Hawks, our ME friends from W. Lafayette, could occur at Kilwin's.  After getting their gear aboard and relaxing from their drive from Portage, MI, dinner was again at Bayview Grille.  A new puzzle was started for the evening's entertainment.

Tuesday, Sept. 6; Ludington, MI: Moved the boat to the gas dock for a pump-out when the office opened at 8 AM.  By 8:20 Larry and Keith were departing the harbor while the ladies left with Hawks' auto, both bound for Ludington Municipal Marina.  Lake Michigan was totally flat except for gentle 1-2 ft. swells, remnants of the previous day's blow, for the first 20 mi. as we passed Big Sable Lighthouse. Gentle NE winds built to 8-10, but since we were always within 2 mi. of a protective shore we had only 6" ripples.  We spotted no fishnets.  Both boat and van completed their trips at 1:40 PM.  After a bit of relaxing while sharing trip stories, we enjoyed delightful dinners at nearby PM Steamers.  Kilwin's was only another 4 blocks away, but closed before we arrived so we enjoyed ice cream at House of Flavors along our return path.  The evening was devoted to finishing the puzzle.

Wednesday, Sept. 7; Grand Harbor, MI: With 68 mi. to cover, we departed at 6:55 AM, again taking advantage of a nearby shore with NE winds about 10.  The biggest challenge was getting past the many fishing boats just outside the channel entrance. We saw 5 fishnets, but only two were close enough to require course alteration.  Waves built to 2-3 as we approached Grand Harbor, but they were following seas, so there was little discomfort. Shopping near Grand Haven Municipal Marina disappointed the ladies, but we enjoyed great dinners at 22 Below, topped off by soft-serve turtle sundaes from dockside Dairy Creme.  Returning to the boat, we started a lighthouse puzzle before bedtime.

Thursday, Sept. 8; Saugatuck, MI: A bit more civil departure, 7:45, allowed us to beat building afternoon winds for a 30 mi. cruise in beautiful weather.  An early 10:50 arrival at Saugatuck Yacht Services, the first facility on the 2 mi. long Kalamazoo River entrance to Saugatuck, enabled an .8 mi. walk into town for fine lunch sandwiches at Coral Gables' Il Forno before significant shopping.  As we returned past the beautiful Peterson Mill about 4, a light mist began and continued intermittently through the evening.  We finished the Lighthouses of Mackinac puzzle and, following a dinner of grilled pork chops aboard, watched the opening night of NFL while concurrently starting a 3rd puzzle.

Friday, Sept. 9; South Haven, MI: Only 22 mi. to South Haven Municipal Marina #2. Leaving at a leisurely 9 AM under cloudy skies and 5-10 NE winds, we had only following 1 ft. rollers on the water.  Incredibly, we've had 7 straight days of east winds; we comfortably boated along the lake's east shore during 3 days with small craft advisories!  We docked at 11:35, perfect timing for a lunch of huge nachos at Clementine's.  The ladies stayed in town to shop while Keith and Larry returned to finish our third puzzle.  Dinner was snacks aboard before a stop at Kilwin's.

Saturday, Sept. 10; Our Home Port, St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, MI: Coordinating our arrival with daughter Sandy's family (her husband Klaus, son Christopher, and grandson Gabe) "welcoming committee", we left at 8:25 AM for a leisurely 8 mph, 26 mi. cruise in cloudy weather with 5 mph NE winds.  The lake was totally flat!  It was exciting to again see the familiar sight of St. Joe's channel lighthouse with the Alpena unloading cement in the harbor.  Sandy's family first saw our approach from Riverview Park's dock on the St. Joseph River and then were at dock 76 10 min. later as we entered Pier 1000 2.5 mi. upriver.  It was 11:40 AM, so we quickly tied before leaving to treat everyone to great lunches at Papa Vino's.  Returning, Gabe entertained everyone all afternoon, but he especially enjoyed a 3 mi. dinghy ride further up the St. Joseph River. He constantly urged Larry to "go faster, go faster" as he kneeled in the bow seat with his face to the wind while grandmother Sandy maintained a constant safety watch. They left for the return to Noblesville, IN at 6 PM.  The Hawks and Huggins then enjoyed a light dinner at McDonalds before visiting Kilwin's.

Sunday, Sept. 11; Conclusions/Sine Die: Hawks packed and we left Pier 1000 at 7:45 AM for Ludington to pick up their van for their return to W. Lafayette.  Reflecting on completion of our second loop: it had less uncertainty and thus less stress than our 1st.  It was great to revisit favorite places and to take different side-trips.  Despite losing two fights with Canadian rocks, it was again a special, wonderful experience; if you like living near/on water, meeting wonderful people, and visiting historic cities we strongly commend it to you.

Water miles traveled to date on this second loop: 7,653; this month: 198

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