Day 5: Ludington, MI (Susan)

The day started with the kids sleeping in, yet again.  It is almost impossible to think that they are sleeping in this much. Today we are planning to cruise to Ludington, which is a short 13 mile trek north.  The wind is blowing and from a distance we can see white caps on the lake.  The weather channel indicates that the winds are 10-20 knots out of the NW so the waves will be on our bow.   We untie from the dock and make our way.  As expected the lake is choppy causing an uncomfortable slow ride, but not too horrible. Fortunately, it won't be a 3 hour tour an only a 40 min ride.  Upon our arrival into Ludington, we stop at the gas dock at the Municipal Harbor to fuel up (gas is cheaper) and then head to our slip at the Harbor View Marina.  We choose Harbor View Marina because it has a pool, and because the docks are lower.  This will make it easier for the dogs to get in and out of the boat.  Later we found out that the municipal marina also had lower docks, but it was too late as we had already paid our slip fees.  Oh well...knowledge for next year. 

We decided to go to the local Jamesport brew house for lunch and based on a recommendation from Yelp we ordered the Crabby Onion.  This was absolutely yummy!!   If you are ever here make sure you get it.  We tried a few of the local beers while the kids colored their fun sailor hats and then after lunch walked the town a little bit to get Paul a coffee.  Paul didn't realize it until he had his lack of caffeine headache, but with the drive in the morning he didn't have time to make his morning coffee.   We found a local coffee shop, but nothing can compare to his coffee at Aspen... he is such a coffee snob :)

Peyton and Pierce at the local coffee house

After lunch it was on to swimming at the pool as it was getting kind of hot out.  The kids had fun and Pierce is getting better every day.  On Saturday we couldn't even get him into the pool and today we had him floating with the use of his swim vest.  He even attempted to hold his breath and go under water.  A few more nice days and  I suspect he will be ready to attempt actually trying to swim around with the vest on.

Our hunt for Lake Michigan salmon continues and keeps directing us to this local restaurant called Bortell's, only a short 6.6 mile bike ride away, much shorter than the 20 miles north that we heard when we were in Pentwater.  I run and think, 7 miles isn’t that bad, we are on bikes, why not.  We pull the bikes from the bow and gear up for the ride.  I quickly realized that we are not in the flatland of WI and that this town is not very bike friendly.  After going 2.4 miles up and down hills we end up on a curvy road with no shoulders and I ask Paul how much further… 4 miles on a curvy road when the sun was going down was not my idea of a good time. I kept envisioning some drunk running into us and killing the whole family.  I convinced Paul that we needed to turn around and head back, especially since while out and about on the bikes we saw 2 van cabs.  A cab ride sounded much better than risking our lives with the kids.

We ended up eating at a local Italian restaurant Luciano's and shared a pizza and then went to the infamous House of Flavors.   Finally an ice cream place that actually makes their own ice cream.  After waiting in line we got some cones and then went to the beach to catch the sunset.  The sand on their beach is amazing and I can’t wait to soak up some sun tomorrow… well hopefully as the weather is forecasting rain so who knows we will see.

The boys at sunset on Ludington beach

Day 4: Everyday should be a beach day

Today was a pretty good day! Everyone slept in; dogs and all until 9AM. This was quite the accomplishment since they always get up at 5:30AM like clockwork. We started off the day going to the Cottage Garden Cafe for breakfast and then off to the beach. We packed the dinghy up with all our beach things including a picnic lunch and went through the channel out to the beach. (video at the beach) After the beach Pierce took a nap and Peyton found some worms at the store across the street and went fishing, again no fish. Although, when I helped him with the hook and worm we did see a really big bluegill that attacked his bobber when he first dropped the line in to set the depth. This fish was probably the biggest bluegill I had ever seen.

We met a couple in their 70’s that tow their 35’ boat back and forth to Florida ever year. They were interesting to talk to and gave us some pointers about different places to see in the towns we plan on visiting. The name of their boat is “Not Yet”. The boat is for sale and I asked why. They said they need something smaller for the tow. I think with the name “Not Yet” this boat was planned to be their last. The man said this size is too difficult being 12’ wide, because he is routed all over the place for construction zones. This guy has been towing big boats since 1986, the ones he has bought in different places and his snow bird trips.

For dinner we grilled out some steak we brought with and corn that we got at the cities farmers market. We were told the corn was picked this morning and tasted like it had. After dinner, we went for a dinghy ride with the whole family to get some nice pictures of the sunset…dogs and all. At one point Abby had all fours on one of the tubes of the inflatable ready to launch at a duck as we were driving, Peyton had to grab her and pull her back in. After we got back to the boat we all walked down for some ice cream at cosmic candy. The dogs got preferential treatment, cups of water and cake cones from one of the employees. After that, the kids watched a movie and went to bed. So all-and-all a good night.

Day 3: Manistee....no Pentwater

At the last moment as we were heading down the channel out of Sturgeon Bay Scott radioed and said "what do you think of going across to Pentwater first?". Not ever being that far south, and lake Michigan looking good we decided why not, and went across to Pentwater. This was a surprise to me, as I was certain Susan would not want to cruise that far. She really has her hands full with the kids and dogs. The dogs both did ok Appa was scared most of the three hour ride (tour)...just realized the parody to Gilligan's Island.

Scott said this was the longest Lake Michigan crossing he has done with a continuous heading. The weather coming in was a little ominous. It looked like it was raining south of here and later during the day we did get a few rain drops; when I say few I mean you could count them. Before the rain we did make it out to walk through town. We stopped at Cosmic Candy for ice cream and a wine store for some wine.  I got a local Pinot Griot and a nice Ferrari Carano Cabernet. We plan on sharing the local tonight and have the cab with dinner tomorrow night.  

After returning from our walk and arguing with the kids about who gets to push the stroller among other things, Susan had enough of the boys whining, screaming and not sharing and told them "this is the last time on a Michigan trip, I have had enough...!". At this point we separated the boys, so Peyton thought it would be a good time to try some fishing. It was unproductive for fish, but it let the two of them have a break and let Susan regroup. After Peyton gave up on the fish he and I went for a dinghy ride around Pentwater lake. The boys like to push us to or limits. It is definitely manic how we have such highs and lows.

Tomorrow we will be going to the beach and hopefully have a great day. It looks like the weather is going to cooperate.