Frankfort, MI

September 2, 2018

After spending most of Labor Day weekend in Charlevoix, MI, we find its time to continue down Lake Michigan to our next port. One of the fun things about doing the Great Loop is that everyday we move the boat is a new adventure and a new discovery!

Today is no exception as we have planned to make a stop at one of the favorite ports of the Loopers Lake Michigan list; Leland, MI. Leland once was a little fishing village that over time has become more of a destination for both boaters and land visitors with many little shops and restaurants.

When we left Charlevoix the weather was good; calm winds and overcast skies and in general a good maritime forecast all the way to Leland. As we approached Leland we decided to push on to the next port; Frankfort, MI. Just as a point of information, all along Michigan's eastern shore there is a safe harbor about every twenty-five miles. The weather for the most part was much the same as when we left Charlevoix, still overcast but the wind had picked up a bit. After a brief discussion we made a joint decision to continue to Frankfort. BAD decision. The next twenty miles were bad. The skies cleared and the wind picked up to 15-20 knots and the waves where running 4-5 feet. Boy did Zoey's Adventure get a taste of rough water.

As we slugged our way to Frankfort, I was dropping our speed down to a point where as we approached the harbor entrance we were only making 6 knots. We started out at 18 knots.

At Frankfort, we stopped at the fuel dock then to our slip and docking our boat in strong winds is not something for the faint of heart. Once docked we walked both sides of Main St. and all the way to the end where the beach is. Boy, does Michigan have some truly beautiful beaches.  No seaweed, no rocks, no shells to cut your feet and just pure light tan powder sand that stretches from the parking area all the way out into the water. After our roller coaster ride today, we licked our wounds and enjoyed dinner aboard. For three years in planning this adventure I have continually heard to be cautious on the Great Lakes because the water conditions can change rapidly and that's just what happened today. Lesson learned, check the weather forecast often and abide by it.

That night we both checked and rechecked the weather for the next day. The report was favorable so we decide to make the next hop to Ludington, MI. Quick point; one of our weather checks is none other than the local Connecticut TV station, NBC app . Surprisingly this App offers weather forecast for just about every city and town in the USA and as accurate as a weather forecast can be, it's pretty good.

Ludington, Michigan

September 3, 2018

Kind of a short run today with only 45 miles to cover so no rush to leave the dock. We check  and re-checked the morning forecasts and except for overcast skies we should have a smooth ride to our next port. Gotta tell you, I would rather run in heavy fog than get beat up in rough water! Oh, and one other thing, in yesterday's rough ride, yes, we only experienced one casualty . The printer got tossed onto the deck and suffered a catastrophic misalignment. Time for a new printer.

The three hour run to Ludington was as planned, a nice day. Our Ludington marina is only a short walk from the Main Street so that made it convenient. Our slip was in a prime location. We docked bow in to the dock with our aft deck facing out to the harbor thus allowing us a nice scenic view.  This was so true because every night at 7:00 pm the  S/S Badger comes into the harbor returning from Manitowoc,Wisconsin. Quick note on Manitowoc. This is where the Russian Sputnik crashed into the street on May 14, 1960 and is celebrated every year.

Anyway back to the Badger: It is the last coal fired passenger ferry in the USA. It was built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, launched September 6, 1952 (my baby brother was only 2 years old) is 410 feet long and can cruise at 21 knots and carries 620 passengers, 180 vehicle including big trucks and buses. But the best part is when it returns to Ludington Harbor and docks,.  As it makes its way to the pier it will drop one of it's massive bow anchors and pivot on this anchor and turn this 410 foot ship 180 degrees then proceed to back alongside the pier all the time dragging this anchor. Each evening folks gather in the park across from the ferry to watch this very unique docking exercise.

 M/V The Badger

M/V The Badger at night. View from our aft deck.  Looks like a hotel.












It turns out we stayed four nights in Ludington because the wind just howled for four days and there was no way we were going out with horrible conditions on Lake Michigan. As it turned out we were not alone. In the other marina, just a short walk from ours, there were about 20 other Looper boats also avoiding the rough water conditions on Lake Michigan. So when there are that many Loopers in one place at one time it is surly time for Docktails. At 5 pm  Lou Ann and I went to the other marina's clubhouse. We were the first two to arrive and then they just kept coming and coming each with a snack to share and there own beverage. In the end there was about 20 of us.  All gathered in this small room we took turns introducing ourselves; name, boat name and home-port. Some of the Loopers we have run into before but most we were meeting for the first-time so exchanging boat-cards was a must. After and even before the introductions the "Tails of the Seas" begin. Turns out in the end we all had a nice time meeting old and new Loopers.

 Lake Barge, went by daily

Had to stop at Cops and Doughnuts to try the bakery items.













During our extended stay , Lou Ann got her nails done, I got a haircut, whats left if it. We also, had to get a new printer at Walmart, get my hearing aid fixed (got a little story to tell you later) got Lou Ann's cell phone fixed. We were able to accomplish all these errands with the generous use of our Looper Harbor Host's vehicle. The Harbor Host keeps their boat on the next pier from Zoey's Adventure. The Harbor Host also stopped by our boat the first afternoon and said hello and offered a little welcome bag of goodies. Four days in one harbor was a bit long but we had to wait for the winds to lay down. What we did accomplish during our extended stay was to talk with Loopers and other boaters as to what ports we should consider as we cruise down Lake Michigan and eventually to Hammond, Indiana.

Oh my little back story. When I got my hearing aid fixed the service tech asked me where I was from and next thing I find out he is a boater and looking to cruise the Great Loop in a few years. Needless to say my short service call got stretched out. Often, mostly at the marinas we have been staying at, we run into other boaters looking to do the Loop and asking us questions.

Charleviox, Michigan

August 30 - September 2, 2018

Wow, it seems like a long time since we moved Zoey's Adventure. The fact is we arrived in Mackinaw City on August 26th and here it is August 30th, five days later and back on the adventure.

Once again the weather is cooperating with sunny skies and light wind. Our course today will take us under the Mackinac Straits Bridge, the 5th longest suspension bridge in the world. The bridge is 12,372 feet long and is the longest suspension bridge in the northern hemisphere. Our destination is Charlevoix, Michigan. This run is 48 miles and will take us just under four hours at our cruise speed.

Today we make our way around the tip of the Michigan peninsula and making our turn south and our trip down Lake Michigan. Since we left Kent Narrows, Maryland on Memorial day we have traveled north and west today the compass is reading south.

Charlevoix! Well, let me tell you just how beautiful this little harbor is. Wow! It's surrounded by some magnificent homes some with boat houses that are so big that the owner is able to dock his yacht inside behind these hugh garage doors. Not just one boat but sometimes two big yachts! The little village offers many nice little shops and restaurants and during the summer months, free concerts on Thursday nights. The village is loaded with flowers and beautiful green lawns that stretch from the main street to the waterfront and the town marina.

The marina reservations in Michigan are controlled by a central reservation system. When we need dockage we go online and make a request for a slip at the marina we are looking to stay at. Based on the dates and size of boat we get a reply indicating there is a slip open and book and pay online. Our plan was to spend three nights here as it was Labor Day weekend and take in the sights. Lou Ann found this little tour of the "Mushroom Houses".  Yes Mushroom. I asked what's that? Turns out to be really quite interesting. We joined this tour that is conducted aboard a four passenger electric cart driven by our driver guide. Seems this very famous builder/architect, Earl Young, self taught, built some very unique homes that are today both privately owned with some as summer rentals.

As I write about Charlevoix, I am having difficulty finding the best words to describe how beautiful this village is. It's kind of like Nantucket with the marina being at the village center but not so high end uppity and it's like our Mystic but a bit larger. Hope the pictures will show better what I can not describe.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!

                                    BREAKING NEWS

November 14, 2018

We wanted to let everyone know that we have made it to Mobile, AL. With the weather being so bad for the last week, we choose to run two long days of 100 miles each instead of four 50 mile days where we would have to anchor out with no heat.  While we watched the weather after we arrived, we saw that it is the coldest day, in Mobile, for November 14 ever at 40 degrees, feels like 34.

 The Captain with his winter coat, which he bought at Walmart while we were in Grafton, IL.  He also had on his warm fuzzy slippers with a hot pack on top of his toes.  the first mate had on 2 fleeze jackets, gloves, fuzzy slippers and a blanket over her lap.

Lovely Mobile, AL in the cold, mist, rain and wind.  Hopefully we can get better pictures as the week goes on.  Suppose to be 70 degrees by Sunday.










We will be staying at Turner Marina, for about 1 week, to unwind and do a little sightseeing.

Stay tuned as we fill in the blanks of our adventures from Northern Michigan to Mobile, AL.  A 2 1/2 month journey.  We promise that we will catch up.  Hopefully the wifi  is half way decent here.

The freezing cold Captain and First Mate.

 

Northern Michigan

August 28-29, 2018

On the move again.  This time we have decided to leave the boat for a quick trip up to Sault Ste Marie, Canada. That's right we just left Canada a few days ago and now we are once again heading back.

Once we returned from Mackinac Island, we picked up our rental car and drove north to the shores of Lake Superior where we again crossed the border into Sault Ste Marie, Canada. The trip took only about an hour as the speed limit was 75.  The plan was to spend the night in a hotel in Canada so as to be ready for a 8:00 am departure on the Agawa Canyon Railroad.

The next morning up early and breakfast at the hotel, the Holiday Inn Express. The train station is

conveniently located across the street in the mall parking lot. This special train departs daily bound for the scenic Agawa Canyon, 114 miles north of Sault Ste Marie. I was very surprised and pleased to see this was a real Amtrak style train with at least 10 passenger and dining cars and a diesel electric engine at either end.  We were seated in car number 2 and had the enjoyment of  2 double seats, two seats facing each other, so we could stretch out, relax and enjoy the four plus hour ride to the Canyon.

The Agawa Canyon is only accessible by rail. Once we arrived the train stopped to let all the passengers off to walk the trails for the 1 1/2 hour stop. Unfortunately, the weather today was not that good, a bit of rain and clouds. We purchased a box lunch from the snack car with the intention of eating at the picnic area, however all the tables and benches were wet so back to our seat on the train to eat, then off to walk the trails and look at the waterfalls.

One and a quarter hours from the time we arrived at the canyon floor the train whistle sounds that the train departs in 15 minutes.... All Aboard. Must say I love trains and knew about this train for years and always wanted to ride it. In the end it was only OK. Had the weather been better or maybe during foliage time the scenery could have added that little something that was missing.  Who knows? Not saying the day was a loss but it could have been better. We did meet an interesting couple seated next to us that were returning to Ottawa after a 2 plus month camper trip to Alaska. Their adventure took them all the way to the northern coast of Alaska to Prudhoe Bay. That's some ride in a pickup truck with a camper in the bed. The train pulled out of the station at 8:00 am and returned at 5:00 pm, a long day.

 The landscapes of Agawa Canyon

Back in the car to return to Zoey's Adventure that's been docked waiting patiently in Mackinaw City  ready for our departure the next day.