It was another early morning start for us, leaving the dock at 6:15 so we could make the 6:30 opening of the drawbridge. We were out on Lake Michigan early enough to enjoy the smooth water while the winds were calm, although because the lake is so big there was a gentle roll coming from the north.
Did I mention how soft the sand is here? We walked on the beach in Charlevoix and we sank our feet into the sand – it is so squishy that it is a challenge to walk. John had read that because the coast of Michigan is on the windward side of the lake and has been battered by waves and rain for centuries it has created beautiful fine sandy beaches. Plus glacial deposits left lots of huge sand dunes here.
Boat Names
In Charlevoix they must have a plethora of dental
professionals, with boat names like Open
Wide (oral surgeon, perhaps) Nice IMpression
(the letter M was a molar, dead giveaway) and Tin Grin (definitely an orthodontist). Then there was Fish N Chicks – do you think they own a
restaurant? Along those piscine lines I saw
FishTales (a sailboat) and Pickerel
Palace (a small houseboat).Someone actually took a picture of our boat stern, but I think they were more interested in where we were from. Some people can’t believe that a boat from Colchester, VT can actually come all the way to Lake Michigan. Wait 'til we arrive in Alabama!
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| Do it yourself boat name |
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| Women's names have always been popular for boats. John is a little partial to this one...an unusual boat |
Today we arrived in Leland, also called Fish Town, which is an old fishing village which has morphed into a tourist mecca. We finally took the camera on our evening walk and tried to capture the feel of the place.
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| Two Fish Gallery - the banner had a red truck on it which reminds me of my brother's vintage Big Red Truck fondly know as BiRT |
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| We had to look for this one up over a window |
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| At a fish market |
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| Along the Fish River at sunset |
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| Rockin' boot with hens and chicks |
Those of you who know me as a gardener will remember all of
the boots and shoes that I planted with succulents. So you can understand why I
almost fell off the dock when I saw this boot planter on the back of a nearby boat. I gotta get one of
these!
Captain’s
Log: August 5, 2014
Departed: Charlevoix City Docks, MI 6:15 a.m.Engine hours: 4.6 hr. – 30.66 nautical miles
Actual hours: 5 hr. 15 min.
Arrived: Leland Harbor Marina, 11:10 p.m.
Wx: winds light and variable – calm – nice trip to Leland
Wednesday,
August 06, 2014
These early morning departures are getting to be a habit but
we certainly do enjoy the smooth water for cruising and it gives us all
afternoon and evening to explore each stop.
Today as we were traveling we passed by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park and were impressed with all the sandy bluffs along the way. We arrived in Frankfort at another city dock with a nice green space with picnic tables and a bike path. We walked along the main street which led us to the beach where I squished my toes in the sand again and walked along the shoreline.
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| Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park |
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| Huge sand dunes all along the shore |
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| Frankfort Lighthouse showing us the way into the harbor |
Captain’s
Log: August 6, 2014
Departed: Leland Harbor 6:30 a.m.Engine hours: 5.8
Actual hours: 5 hrs. 45 min.
Nautical miles covered: 37.34
Arrived: Frankfort, MI 12:15 p.m.
Wx: Partially overcast and hazy, calm winds and fair seas
Thursday,
August 7, 2014
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| Annabelle making her way to her slip |
We had met Tanya before in Mackinac Island and then at Harbor Springs. We all got out our bikes and took a tour through the little town of Arcadia, which didn't take very long, stopping at the beach to let our feet check out the sand there. We all rewarded ourselves with ice cream at the local parlor.
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| Kathy and Tanya ready for a light supper |
Engine hours: 1.8 hrs.
Actual hours: 1 hrs. 50 min.
Nautical miles covered: 10.59
Arrived: Arcadia Veterans Memorial Marina at 12:10 pm.
Wx: Winds light & Variable, seas calm, clear skies. Nice cruise.
Actual hours: 1 hrs. 50 min.
Nautical miles covered: 10.59
Arrived: Arcadia Veterans Memorial Marina at 12:10 pm.
Wx: Winds light & Variable, seas calm, clear skies. Nice cruise.
Leland looks like a place I would love...being that I collect fish stuff! Hey we think we met Tanya at Rogersville last year. Running your toes through the sand sounds awesome... Miss the beach.
ReplyDeleteVery descriptive entry, Kathy. I was right there wiggling my toes in the sand with you.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great posts!
Great progress you are making...looks like you are about half down Michigan. Have read about those sand dunes, but your pix provide a great visual perspective! Those Ranger Tugs are interesting boats. Tanya's "Annabelle" certainly looks well equipped for her solo adventure.
ReplyDeleteOops! Thought you had made it to Ludington not Leleand, but you are still making nice progress.
ReplyDelete