Still in Mackinaw City, MI. Friday was a work day. Not in the way we were accustomed to but we worked none the less. Mike installed fuel senders on the engines to provide us with computerized fuel data. I cleaned and prepared the boat for our guests arriving later. Sandy and Del arrived around 5:30 pm. After welcoming our friends (so good to see you!), we all joined our looper friends for a potluck dinner in a room in the harbor facilities.
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| Loopers and FOL's |
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| Breakfast by Del! |
We split up later, the guys went to the Corvette show and Sandy & I visited the shops. Dinner was at O'Reilly's Irish Pub. Sunday we toured around St. Ignace and then it was time for our FOL's, 'friends of loopers', to head back to Bay City. (Del, that still has me laughing!) Once again, we count our blessings at having such great friends!
Monday, August 27, 2012
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| Leaving Mackinaw City with fog rising. |
At 7 am the Irish Attitude (finally) left Mackinaw City after a week in port. Three others departed also but with different destinations in mind. We headed through the Straits of Mackinaw, through Gray's Reef and on to Charlevoix. It's beautiful port that we had visited many times. There we were welcomed by the dockmaster Hal and assistant Pat. They certainly enjoy what they are doing and their spirit is infectious. Hallelujah also made port and we visited with Barb and Dave once we were settled in. I was exhausted that night and went to bed early. Fresh air will do that to a person!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Next port.....Leland. We left Charlevoix when the bridge opened at 9 am. It's not a long trip but a good midpoint before heading to the next southbound port. We crossed Grand Traverse Bay and got our first glimpses of the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. I love this lake! The marina has been updated. The docks and indoor facilities are top notch. No looper boats here but a couple from Davidson walking by had partially cruised the loop and ended up finding a place in FL to call home. Like one loop book says, "I want to live here." We toured 'Fish Town' and the other shops in Leland. Leland is more of an artistic community, not as 'touristy' as Mackinaw City. An amphibious car pulled in to the boat ramp and motored off. Twin props visible under the rear bumper! We visited with our dockmates and saw three otters playing in the sand near the rocky break wall. They were digging in the sand and rolling around. The night turned cool and had us heading inside. Tomorrow..... Frankfort.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
The lake was like glass when we took off today around 8 am. Around the southern point near Frankfort and we had one footers. The waves picked up slightly as we traveled but never more then 3 ft. My course plotting is improving! We passed North then South Manitou Islands on our starboard the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore Park to our port. Legend tells of a mother bear and her 2 starving cubs leaving Wisconsin for the land of plenty (Michigan). Sadly, the cubs did not survive the swim and the Great Spirits turned them into the Manitou Islands. The exhausted mother bear lay on shore, wistfully watching where her cubs perished. She in turn became the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. I noticed one area on the chart that marked the water depth at 888 ft.! That is the deepest water I have seen so far. We pulled into Frankfort Municipal Marina around 2 pm. After tying our lines we went to town and the first place we saw was a printing office. Loopers exchange calling cards as a way to keep track of who they have met. So far we had none to pass out. Our order was placed and will be ready tomorrow by noon! Thanks Amanda! We are getting the hang of this looper lifestyle! Frankfort is a nice town with many cute shops. After touring the marinas we went for a dinghy ride in the harbor around Betsie Lake. Gale force winds (35 mph) are predicted for Thursday and Friday. Wave heights of 6-9 ft. rising to 8-12. Yea, we're staying in Frankfort for awhile!
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