Destination: Manistee MI

It has been decided. We are going to Manistee Michigan on our trip this year. I know prior to this we were heading north and it was dictated by our oldest, but we decided just to get back to Wisconsin on the following Friday to make it easier on all. We will drop him with his mom and step dad as they are driving around back to lower MI. Lake Michigan vacations are all about being agile and having the flexibility to change for a verity of reasons.

Manistee Michigan really looks like a nice little spot. We plan on making that our home port and do day trips to close cities. Having the dinghy with the motor is going to be very nice so we can explore the inland lake as well. I am looking forward to taking the kids on the S.S. Milwaukee tour. From what I have read it is a very nice tour and a great look back in maritime history. The plan at the end of the week is to head north to Frankfort, MI, and cross back on Friday. Jacobsen marina in Frankfort has been in our trip every year so far. It is comfortable, we really enjoy the convenience of the town and the short crossing back to WI. Although, going to Manistee from Sturgeon Bay really only adds 10 miles or so.

The final weekend on our trip, after dropping off our oldest, we plan to hook up with some friends who could not make it out with us on Lake Winnebago a few weekends ago due to a family member with cancer was not doing well. We hope the weather is nice and we can entertain them in Sturgeon Bay. Lord knows they need it after the long struggle of watching a close family member lose their battle with cancer.

Just me my family and my Johnson

I bought a 9.9 johnson today from a friend. Looking forward to trying out on the dinghy. Looks like sunday will be our first chance. It should push that little boat very fast. I am sure it will be just like in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxVH5sKUlPg

Davits Installed

This spring we purchased a used quicksilver dinghy. It is in good shape, but I do not like the options for placement of the davit pads. On Saturday we had to move the already installed davits on the swim platform. Screwed that up! Ended up drilling five more holes than necessary;lost a drill bit in the lake and made a few runs either home, or to the hardware store. As for the extra holes, there is some glass work we planned on doing at the end of the season, so I guess we just have a little bit more to do.

Tonight we glued on the pads which required trimming the pads due to the limited options on the inflatable. I purchased the glue from weaver and followed their shity instructions. Hopefully it ends up working out.

I also am buying a 9.9hp Johnson short shaft from a friend with very low hours, so once we have this all done we should be set.

Oh yeah, the trip has been modified again! But I will save that for another day...