Woke up extremely early to embark upon the day.... alarm at 6:15am and fortunately the children decided to sleep in. We left Boyne City to hook up with our friends in Charlevoix, grab a quick coffee and off we went. Winds were light out of the east giving us a decent ride. After approximately 3 hours we arrived in Frankfort after passing Sleeping Bear Dunes and Betsey Point (a beautiful lighthouse, that hopefully if the weather holds out tomorrow we will be able to bike to).
After arriving at Jacobson Marina in Frankfort, we decided to top off the tanks in preparation for our crossing back to WI coming up on Sunday as well as pumped out the sewage (boy it is amazing that it took 7 days to get that tank to only half full, now that is a lot of poop!!). ....
We rested in the slip for a while and then headed off to have lunch at the very first place we ate in Michigan on our trip last year. Again, food is not all that great, but after 3 hours of riding on the boat most anything will taste delicious... and it gave the kids a change of scenery. After lunch off to take the kids to the beach, and what a beautiful beach it is. Although, the water is not as crystal clear as in Bay Harbor, the sand is amazing and the breeze refreshing in the hot sun! The kids enjoyed making holes in the sand and swimming around and Dad caught a quick cat nap in the sun.
Since we knew the stomachs would be growling at any moment we decided to splurge and enjoy steaks for dinner. This meant jumping on the bikes to find a local market and along the way found a great fresh fish market as well. The kids loved the all you can try samples, including cherry salsa, candy and miscellaneous pates. We left with some smoked trout, fresh salmon, pretzels and an amazing marinade that we ended up using on the salmon. I really wanted the hat that said "Got Chubbs!" but resisted the temptation.
Enjoyed cooking our dinner on the grill directly behind the boat and enjoyed a glass of wine with some friends while the kids watched a movie. All in all, another great day. Keta is doing well acting as though nothing is even wrong. With the exception of coughing here and there no one would even know she was sick. I am thankful that she has the opportunity to enjoy one last trip with us and know that she too is enjoying every minute of it.
Susan
"Where it is always right!"
Friday, July 30, 2010
Day 7; Boyne City
Well, we did not really like the marina we were at. We decided to go down Lake Charlevoix to Boyne City. This ended up being the gem of the area for us. We went down the river, off Lake Charlevoix called the Jordan. We could have gone down to a city called East Jordon, but decided to have lunch on the mouth. We looked at a really big house and came back to Lake Charevoix. We had lunch at a place that had a cable ferry. It would run vehicles back and forth across the river. The food at the restuarant was mediocre at best.
When we left the restaurant we went to a beach. In the area we were in there was a campgrounds and sandy beaches on both sides of the lake. We choose our location based on the wind direction so we could be in calm waters. After swimming we pushed on to our new favorite spot, Boyne City. This place was not as touristy as the rest of the cities we had been to, but still catered to the traveler. We had ice cream in a few cities and the price was over $4.oo per cone. I this city we had 3 cones 1/2 pound of Swedish fish and a chocolate covered Oreo and it was $7 and change. We also ran into a block party were the general store was selling the most unusual things for such a reasonable cost (1.95 a micro and 8.95 a pie, a whole pie!).
When we returned to the dock for the night there was a lot of people on our dock. The sheriff and the fire rescue were there. The reason for the commotion was a guy in a late model 30' Thompson, that was for sale, was taking on water. I ended up towing him to the lift pocket across to marina. We ended up popping a fender and causing a ruckus, but saved the boat. After all that excitement we took showers and went to bed. It was going to be an early morning, as we were going to leave to Frankfort.
When we left the restaurant we went to a beach. In the area we were in there was a campgrounds and sandy beaches on both sides of the lake. We choose our location based on the wind direction so we could be in calm waters. After swimming we pushed on to our new favorite spot, Boyne City. This place was not as touristy as the rest of the cities we had been to, but still catered to the traveler. We had ice cream in a few cities and the price was over $4.oo per cone. I this city we had 3 cones 1/2 pound of Swedish fish and a chocolate covered Oreo and it was $7 and change. We also ran into a block party were the general store was selling the most unusual things for such a reasonable cost (1.95 a micro and 8.95 a pie, a whole pie!).
When we returned to the dock for the night there was a lot of people on our dock. The sheriff and the fire rescue were there. The reason for the commotion was a guy in a late model 30' Thompson, that was for sale, was taking on water. I ended up towing him to the lift pocket across to marina. We ended up popping a fender and causing a ruckus, but saved the boat. After all that excitement we took showers and went to bed. It was going to be an early morning, as we were going to leave to Frankfort.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Day 6; More Charlevoix
Last night there were some pretty strong storms. We lost power for a bit, but I slept through most of it. I was awake when it started. We were tracking it on the radar. There are a few boats here from Canada, and I shared with them the radar to let them know there was a confirmed tornado in the U.P. When they looked at the radar one of them in a hard french accent said "red is bad, no?" The whole U.P. was red into Minnesota. The other one said "yes, red is bad." Then they asked if we were staying on the boat and I said yes. He then said, "OK, we just won't tell our wives" and the other guy was already gone talking to his wife.
This morning we awoke and Susan started breakfast. I went for a run and Susan then went for her run when I returned. Susan found a beach on Lake Charlevoix that we are going to check out later. We have to wait to do anything until after noon, so we can be sure to have a slip for the evening. You have to sign in at 8 am on a extension list and they say we will not know for sure until noon if we can stay another night.
Well I wrote the top portion obviously before noon. After Susan showered she stopped at the harbor house and they said we need to go! I thought for sure once we were in they would not kick us out...So we ended up going on to another marina and will be staying here one night and moving on. This place is not what it was cracked up to be.
We think we may go explore Lake Charlevoix tomorrow and go down to Boyne City which is about 14 miles away from here. It is all the way down at the end of the lake. Our neighbor from the city dock recommended it.
We spent time on the lake today and the kids had a good time. They played in the water and in the sand. This water is amazing. You can see 20 or more feet down, it is so clear. We anchored out in front of a public beach and our stern was in 3-4 feet and the bow was in at least 15 feet. I pencil dove off the front and did not touch. The sand was perfect firm and soft on the feet. It is exactly what we were told, just beautiful.
We had dinner at the village pub and it was not that great. We had eaten there for lunch one of the days and thought we would give it a second try. It was good because the kids could be loud and not annoy anyone, but the food is just so so.
I hope the wind dies down tomorrow. It is still very windy from our storms last night. The sky cleared, but the wind is still kicking.
This morning we awoke and Susan started breakfast. I went for a run and Susan then went for her run when I returned. Susan found a beach on Lake Charlevoix that we are going to check out later. We have to wait to do anything until after noon, so we can be sure to have a slip for the evening. You have to sign in at 8 am on a extension list and they say we will not know for sure until noon if we can stay another night.
Well I wrote the top portion obviously before noon. After Susan showered she stopped at the harbor house and they said we need to go! I thought for sure once we were in they would not kick us out...So we ended up going on to another marina and will be staying here one night and moving on. This place is not what it was cracked up to be.
We think we may go explore Lake Charlevoix tomorrow and go down to Boyne City which is about 14 miles away from here. It is all the way down at the end of the lake. Our neighbor from the city dock recommended it.
We spent time on the lake today and the kids had a good time. They played in the water and in the sand. This water is amazing. You can see 20 or more feet down, it is so clear. We anchored out in front of a public beach and our stern was in 3-4 feet and the bow was in at least 15 feet. I pencil dove off the front and did not touch. The sand was perfect firm and soft on the feet. It is exactly what we were told, just beautiful.
We had dinner at the village pub and it was not that great. We had eaten there for lunch one of the days and thought we would give it a second try. It was good because the kids could be loud and not annoy anyone, but the food is just so so.
I hope the wind dies down tomorrow. It is still very windy from our storms last night. The sky cleared, but the wind is still kicking.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Day 5;On to Charlevoix
Today we received horrible news. Our dog Keta has lymphoma. The official test results will not be back until Thursday. We decided to go to Charlevoix and stay there. We have reservations and it can be difficult to get in. The plan is, we stay here until we hear from the vet with the official results. Susan has been in contact with our vet back home and she actually called in another prescription to the pharmacy here. The vet in Bay Harbor also said they would come here to help us if they needed to.
Today's weather is great. It is warm and the wind is light to moderate. Peyton and I went for a bike ride to Lake Charlevoix to check it out while Susan put Pierce down for a nap. We found a fresh fish market on our bike ride. We will go back there later for some fresh fillets for dinner some night this week. We saw their fishing vessels (not the prettiest ships on the earth) and talked to the workers back in the cleaning area.
After Pierce wakes up we will go down to the beach and let the kids run around. The beach is supposed to be very nice and has a concession stand. Dinner will be grilling out at the marina and hopefully meeting more interesting people.
The couple behind us is in retirement and spent the last 4 summers living aboard a 30' sail boat. They have a home here and one in FL. He told me they sailed up from FL along the inter coastal. It took them 3 summers to get to Charlevoix. His wife has a large bird that lives on their boat with them. The bird is cage free. He explained that animals are not meant to be caged...He also said he would not recommend his trip to anyone, as it was very frustrating for him to be dictated by the weather. I would find that to be just part of the adventure. I am not sure what his rush was all about. He also said he rather just sit in the marina now all day. They sure are interesting. He is a rough old sailor and gave some insight on the town and surrounding areas. He talked about the marina area we came from, Bay Harbor; it was a abandoned concrete manufacturing plant before is was purchased and the land was very contaminated. As he put it "some rich bastard came in and bought it all up and then found out it was polluted".
Monday, July 26, 2010
Day 4; Bay Harbor Marina (Disneyland)
Woke up at Leland and called Charlevoix for a slip....no go. We headed on to Bay Harbor after a fill up (112 gallons, thank you very much). Bay harbor is in little Travers Bay. It reminds you of Disney when you approach. (video) Tons of real estate investment has been done here. Money from Detroit, Chicago and Texas has funded this expansion. 
The city is small (is it even a city or just some guys development, just like Walt's Disney). It is all the Victor development property. We talked to the guy who runs the Harbor Bay Yacht Club (61,000 sq ft facility). He told us some inside info about the development. This guy has lived in the area most of his life. He grew up across the bay at Harbor Springs. Every investor (property owners purchased from Victor Corp) must buy into the Yacht Club for big money and then annual dues and min spend.
The whole reason we are here is the fact they have a veterinarian within a mile from the marina. Our dog Keta is sick. She has been coughing non stop for a few days and we are going to have her checked out. We thought we would just do it after the trip but she may have heart worm (self diagnosed by Susan through the Internet). So tomorrow she has an appointment at 9am. After that we are heading to Charleviox we have reservation there. Oh, about Scott, he is over at Harbor springs. After Keta's priority we have just decided to do our own thing. We will hook up in Charleviox sooner or later. Scott is staying here tomorrow as he does not have reservations at the city marina in Charleviox.
Day 3; Crossing Lake Michigan to Leland
Crossed! Left Sturgeon went to Leland, MI. Waves were not bad. Not anything to write home about. When crossing the manitou's islands things really got flat. What a great lake this body of water is. It is amazing as we are running in hundreds of feet of water and there is an island right next to us. I guess you can anchorage at the south manitou island your bow be in 70' and your stern in 3'. Nuts! We will have to do that some time.
Spent the day exploring and playing on their beach. It was great the kids had fun and we had a good time. The kids, however, did not end the day well. It was a rough night.
Leland is a cool little town, worth the stop. We will be back. This location is perfect to relax and rejuvenate before pushing on to the next town (the fuel is less too).
There is a restaurant that has a camera you can control in the harbor. We ate there and called Grandma and Grandpa so they could play with it and see the kids... The Cove TV the camera is on top of the building in the above picture.
Spent the day exploring and playing on their beach. It was great the kids had fun and we had a good time. The kids, however, did not end the day well. It was a rough night.
Leland is a cool little town, worth the stop. We will be back. This location is perfect to relax and rejuvenate before pushing on to the next town (the fuel is less too).
Day 2; Another day in Sturgeon Bay
Saturday was wet all day just like Friday. Friday had a great sunset and was followed by late night showers with little wind, so that was nice for the wave conditions. The weather was still too ify to make the call so we decided to wait one more day.
We went to the farmers market and rode our bikes to the grocery store to get some last supplies. Later in the day we did have some pool time, grilled out, and sat by the fire, but all and all not a great boating day. Who am I kidding any day is a great boating day!
We are very confident that tomorrow will be the day to cross.
We went to the farmers market and rode our bikes to the grocery store to get some last supplies. Later in the day we did have some pool time, grilled out, and sat by the fire, but all and all not a great boating day. Who am I kidding any day is a great boating day!
We are very confident that tomorrow will be the day to cross.
Leaving for Sturgeon Bay
Friday July 23, 2010. I took the day off of work to prepare for the trip to Sturgeon Bay. Susan had to work at least half of day. We woke up and the weather was not pleasant. The day prior we had received 4" of rain and many streets were flooded. Our vacation companion, Scott, was suffering from the storm Thursday and Friday with a sewer water filled basement, however, that was not going to stop him from his trip.
By the time we had left the house it was close to 4pm (not the stellar start I wanted). I had purchased a new winch handle (the trailer did not have one when we bought it) and was impressed on how well it worked. Even though I had the new handle I did not crank the boat as much as I should have. We did not have the proper tounge weight and the truck could not go more then 60 mph without feeling like we where going to end up in the ditch!
Once in Stugeon Bay after the white nuckle trip through Green Bay at rush hour with hwy 172 closed we could finally relax. Well not really we had to put the boat back together which takes a few hours of messing around (the boat is too tall for the hwy and needs to be disasembled and then put back together). By the time the kids were in bed it was time for us to hit the sack too.
By the time we had left the house it was close to 4pm (not the stellar start I wanted). I had purchased a new winch handle (the trailer did not have one when we bought it) and was impressed on how well it worked. Even though I had the new handle I did not crank the boat as much as I should have. We did not have the proper tounge weight and the truck could not go more then 60 mph without feeling like we where going to end up in the ditch!
Once in Stugeon Bay after the white nuckle trip through Green Bay at rush hour with hwy 172 closed we could finally relax. Well not really we had to put the boat back together which takes a few hours of messing around (the boat is too tall for the hwy and needs to be disasembled and then put back together). By the time the kids were in bed it was time for us to hit the sack too.
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