mvalwayshome

Good morning!!  We really enjoyed watching the SSBadger come into port.  However, it is time to move on down the Lake Michigan coastline as the weather looks promising.  Cloudy but no rain.  We expect 1-2foot seas and low wind.  A great RWW day! (rain, wind, wave)

I saw SS Badger all lit up and getting ready to head out of port at 8:45am.  We are leaving just ahead of it.  I don’t know when the SS Badger returned last night.  We were in bed early.  This morning, like magic, it was back in Ludington ready for the next trip over Lake Michigan.  Pretty exciting, I tell you!

8 am going by the SS Badger on our way out of the marina

Leaving the Ludington Municipal Marina

Water looks perfect!  Very little wave action as seen in this photo.

Sun peaking through the clouds at sunrise

Muskegon is home to a the USS Silverslide Submarine that is now a museum.  Here it is from the harbor entrance as we pass by.  We didn’t do the tour.  We arrived too late in the day.

USS Silversides

USCG McLane

As we entered Muskegon Lake, we saw a couple of large ships across the water.  We assume they are the ferries.  Too far to tell even with the binoculars.

Across Muskegon Lake

We stayed at the Harbour Town Marina right inside the lake entrance.  We wanted an easy in and out for the next day’s travel.  Harbour Town Marina only has a few transient slips.  Only one person was at the marina to help with lines, pump fuel, and any other duties that might crop up.  When we arrived we had a slip number and was able to find it.  Our beam is 16 feet across without the fenders hanging down.  I pulled up all the fenders and we squeezed into the slip with inches to spare.  A fellow Looper came down to help us with our lines.  Squeezed, I tell you!!  I should have taken a picture but I was running around getting things organized for docking.

Wayne found out in short order that the power pedestal had a broken 50amp receptacle.  We had to untie and start all over again.  This time, we were given permission to go the the T-head on the adjoining dock and park overnight.  The crew from SeaHorse helped get our lines.  We really do appreciate all the help we can get.  Good practice going in and out of slips, right?!

Other than the submarine museum and a restaurant, there is not much else around the marina.  My walkabout was short but I did find some interesting things to share.  Like the parking lot full of gulls.  I saw a man in this red truck throw something out to a few of them.  Only a few of the gulls actually responded.  The rest just stood there.

Gulls hanging out

I walked down to a small beach area near the edge of the lake.  I saw the Coastal Cruiser drive by.  For size difference, see the small fishing boat in front of it?  Nice boat!

Coastal Cruiser driving by

Something finally startled the gulls!  Certainly not me or the other humans walking about.

Gulls in flight

As I was walking back to the boat, I saw several tall plants.  They were about 3 feet tall with strange looking pods of them.  I did touch one of the pods.  I just had to know was it soft or hard.  Soft.  I don’t know what they are.  Do you?

Plant leaves and Pods

Plant and pods

They look too small for the “Invasion of the body snatcher” pods.  I wonder if I will be able to fall asleep tonight?!

We went out to dinner at the Dockers Restaurant with two Loopers crews.  SeaHorse and Penny Pinchin.  A fine time was had by all!!  No sunset picture as a result of good times, good food and drink, and great Looper stories.

Good Morning!!  A beautiful Sunday Morning to you!  I have to check the calendar to be sure what day of the week it is.  We just go by RWW, ourselves.  Maybe a check of the old wrist watch for time.  Otherwise, it is sunrise, noon ( hot ), and sunset.  Pretty much marks our day.  Okay, we do have Ice-cream time also.  Can’t forget that.

Patchy fog forecasted.  About 58°F to start our day.  Good enough for us!  We are expecting smooth water.  Fingers crossed!!

Early Fishermen trying to catch a few

We clouds are still hanging over our heads, but no rain.  The fishermen were out in abundance trying to catch a few fish.  As I watched out the back door of the boat, I watched only 1 fisherman catch 3 fish within 15 minutes.  I didn’t see any of the half dozen boats pull anything in.  Maybe they were all fishing for different fish?

Sun peeking through the clouds in Frankfort, MI

Leaving Jacobson Marina, Frankfort, MI

Today’s adventure will be taking us down the coast of Lake Michigan another 50 miles.  We are making progress and we are excited.

Frankfort, MI to Ludington, MI

The Lighthouse on our port as we exit the Frankfort Harbor entrance.  It is still early and a bit misty/fog.  Not really misty wet and not really dense fog.  A bit in the middle. 😉 

We had flat water all day!  Almost boringly flat.  I was able to stand, scamper downstairs to the galley, fix scrambled eggs, and muffins for breakfast.   I didn’t have to grab onto something to keep from falling.  What a delightful time.

Beach view along to Michigan coast early afternoon

Before we knew it, we were in Ludington, MI.  As we turned into the Ludington Harbor entrance we waved at the group of folks sitting near the lighthouse.  They waved and a couple pumped their arms asking us to toot our horn.  Wayne did!  They clapped and waved and again.  We laughed.  We figured that meant we were in for a treat in Ludington!

Light House Folks waving and cheering

The Ludington Municipal Marina is the first marina as you enter the Pere Marquette River.  There are picnic tables and picnic pavilion right along the waterway.  I noticed the pavilion had a unique added structure.  Wind curtains to allow the view without the wind.  There was a sign above to “Please roll up the Curtains before you leave.”  I think that is a great idea.

Wind curtain at the picnic pavilion

Of course there is no fishing off the Fishing Charter Dock!!

At the nearby park there are several bronze statues that commemorate something special about the area.   They have a plaque also next to each statue to let you know more about the artwork.  Very nice.

Grandpa teaching his grandson how to fish

This horse drawn wagon commemorates the lumber industry that was so prominent in the early days of this area.  All the statues were beautiful.  No pigeon poop on any of them!

I looked out toward the channel and saw something big coming in.  It looks gigantic!!

It is the SS Badger.  A car ferry that goes from Ludington, MI to Manitowoc, WI at least 2 times a day.  The ferry had a police escort to help clear out all the fishing boats from the basin.   The SS Badger than dropped it’s starboard anchor.  I could hear, but not see, the anchor drop.  Then the boat pivoted on the anchor and swung around.  Thus, the need to clear the area.  It is over 400 feet long.  The SS Badger was designated on the Register of Historical Places in 2009.  It was built in 1952 and is the only coal fired steam ship in America.  Very cool to see the boat maneuver so easily.  After it spun around, it backed up into it’s slip as if it were a mere 30 foot boat.  Very graceful!

As the Badger spun around, I could see the top decks were loaded with people.  The bottom deck had trucks and cars.  And people.  You can barely see a semi-truck or two in the lower bay.  For more information you can go to:  SSBadger.com

A quick walk about after dinner I saw some murals.  Looks like the place where there are concerts and big parties!!

The garden shop is ready to close down for the season.  After labor day, many of the stores in these coastal towns start closing up shop.  You could get some of these Fairy figurines for stocking stuffers.  See….Christmas is coming!!

Fairy Garden display

As the SS Badger leaves Ludington for the night, I heard the nearby Coast Guard Station playing taps as they lowered their flag.  Then a man standing on the back of the Badger was playing bagpipes as the boat went by.  I could hear the bagpipes long after I could see the boat as it exited the harbor.

SS Badger leaving again at 8:15pm

Good morning, Cruisers!!  Do you have an umbrella ready at the door?  It is raining lightly or just irritatingly drizzling.  Enough to get you wet but not soaked within minutes.

You can’t get the boat ready if you are holding onto an umbrella.  Put that down and get your rain gear on.  Time to move on out.  Put that bright yellow slicker on ( it was on sale) and get to work!  The rain will go away soon, the sun with come out, and the weather will be glorious!!

We are headed to Frankfort, MI today.  We are expecting < 2 ft waves and low wind.  The day did start drizzly but should clear up.  I am sure you are exhausted by my weather reports.  It seems to be paramount in understanding how to cruise Lake Michigan.

Leland, MI to Frankfort, MI

Our day begins early.  We actually didn’t leave until 9am.  We have a short trip to Frankfort today.  About 40 miles.  The fog was lifting, the water looked ok, and the clouds were leaving.  Time to go!

9am Grey skies and drizzles made our morning bright

Waves were <2 feet.

As the sun started to come out, the water got flatter!

The sun is out!! This is the view all Cruisers hope for!

Lake Michigan Coastline

As we approached the Frankfort Harbor entrance, we notice there were 4 Loopers all headed in the same direction.  It was the first time we have seen so many boats on the water with us.  There were a bunch of fishing boats, a couple of sail boats, and large trawlers or ferries in the distance.

Approaching Frankfort Harbor entrance

Frankfort North Breakwater Light – fog horn and light that can be seen for at least 16 miles

Welcome to Frankfort!!  We finally made it.  It looks lovely, doesn’t it?!

Jacobson Marina Resort

After settling in a few minutes, we walked the town to look for ice cream.  Along the way, I noticed these trees bearing orange/red berries.  They reminded me of holly trees at Christmas.  Clusters of red as if they were ornaments on a tree. What a strange thought.

The downtown area has boutiques, gift shops, restaurants, two ice-cream shops, and a small movie theatre.  It is showing “The Man from Uncle” tonight.

Ice cream!!

A sampling of this town’s buildings.  I like the old brick buildings right next to modern design.  They look pretty well blended, actually.  Tourists everywhere.  We found the bakery closed.  Maybe we can get here early in the morning and snag an apple fritter before we leave?!

Downtown Frankfort

In the parking lot of the Frankfort Municipal Marina, we saw this little car.  I like the flames coming out of the front tire paint job.  The plaque on the running board said it was a 1939 Chevrolet.  Nice looking for its age.

On the way to the beach to get my sunset picture, I saw these trees.  They are spruce/fir trees, right?  Aren’t they Christmas trees.  What is this with sights of Holiday Spirits?  Weird, eh?  Only 117 more days till Christmas 2015.

Christmas Tree, right?!?!

There are a bunch of small pine cones on the tops of these trees.  Dangling little lites amongst the branches.  Although, personally, I like different colored lights rather than just a single color.  Light green does look on this tree, though.

Pines cones that look like ornaments

Sand collected in my sneakers from trampling along the Lake Michigan beach in hopes of getting a great sunset picture.  I got the picture but had to stop and empty my shoes.  I felt like the Princess and the Pea…. just a bit of sand felt like 10 pounds in each shoe.

Very fine white sands here along the Lake Michigan coast

The sunset picture?  This turned out pretty well.

Sunset at Frankfort, MI

Good morning, Campers.  The ferry leaves in a few minutes to go to the Manitou Islands.  Get your camping gear organized.  By the way, leave your cell phone at home.  There is no service on the islands.

We were asked to help a sailor and his boys take his small boat southward to Frankfort so that he can use the southern winds to sail north and arrive back here in Leland on Sunday.  We rode with him to the boat ramp in Frankfort and drove his car back to Leland.  I got to talk with the teenagers for the entire hour ride.  How grand that was!!  Two 8th graders and a 11th grader.  Perfect age to have a great conversation.  I think the boys thought I was nuts with my banter. 😉

Family getting ready to launch their boat

Of course, this was after donuts from the local bakery and a hot cup of coffee.  Hmmm coffee.

On the way to the bakery, I was able to capture a couple of better pictures of Fish Town.

Welcome to Fishtown!

You can almost imagine walking down these streets years ago.  Right on the water.  Everyone right next to each other.  The smoke house is still smoking fish and other meats.  That smokehouse smell of wood cooking.  Hmmmm where’s the marshmallows?

It is great to see the town keep their history alive.

We decided to stay in Leland due to high wind forecast.  We were formally invited to a DockTail at 4pm.  There were almost a dozen Looper boats in the marina.  Wow!!  We enjoyed hearing their tales and plans for the future.  Almost everyone was heading south.  Only one Looper was heading north.  They must be from Michigan!

Tonight, cloudy, cool and possible rain.  Will be deciding whether to go to Frankfort in the morning after all the weather website update their information from NOAA.

Nothing but clouds tonight so I will post another sunset picture from last night.

Sunset in Leland, MI

Good morning!! Rise and shine.  The day is an early day…gotta catch those smooth lake waters when we can!

Before Sunrise leaving Petoskey Marina

We left so early the sun hadn’t even open his eyes.  See the sleeping dust is still in the horizon, the eye lid slowing rising.  Acchhh too early, Mr. Sun says to the world!

Our plan to day is to go around 90 miles from Petoskey to Frankfort.  With the promise of a great day on the water with no rain, no wind, no waves, we thought we could make this trip easily.  We will be traveling with fellow Loopers, the crew of SeaHorse.

Petoskey, MI to Frankfort, MI

The water was really really good all early morning.  The waves rolled a bit.  Easy Peasy day!!  We were truly excited.  We were going to be driving in shifts.  That way we both have some energy at the end of a long day.  We expect this trip to take at least 10 hours of cruising time.

Flat water in Little Traverse Bay into Lake Michigan

Wayne had closed his eyes for a few minutes.  It was my turn to close my eyes when I started getting texts on my phone from Loopers ahead of us at around 11am.  There were several Looper boats that had left Charlevoix and appeared to be anywhere from 1 -2 hours ahead of us.  The texts were about the sudden waves.  What waves?  Today is a wave-less day.  We debated about the waves for at least an hour.  Hoping the waves would settle by the time we got to their location.

NOPE!!  The Loopers ahead of us encountered 2-6 foot waves!!  They came out of nowhere.  The wind started to increase as well.  At least 4 hours sooner than the forecast.  Waves??  We don’t see the waves.  BUT we did see the wind wall.  On one side of an invisible wall the water was flat.  On the other side, white caps.    Oh dear!!

We decided to call Leland Marina to see if they could squeeze us into their marina for the night.  No way would Wayne & I want to tackle those kinds of waves.  Always Home could, you know.  SeaHorse and Always Home turned left and went into Leland, MI.  Glad we got off the Lake when we did.  The wind wall hit Leland with >10mph winds with gusts up to 20mph an hour after we arrived.  Where did these come from?

Our day ended up to be a 50 mile day.  Not bad.  Just not as planned.  I guess Nature Knows when to call a day- a day.  The blue arrow became our new destination.

Petoskey to Leland

We will put Frankfort off until tomorrow, weather permitting.

We didn’t get to see too much of Leland.  It is a fishing town, historically.  The original fishing village is currently home to many shops and eateries.  Nicely done village with plaques describing the original boaters in these waters.  I may be able to get some pictures in the morning when the lighting is better.

Importantly, we found ice-cream and located the Bakery for an early morning run for apple fritters.  Just up the hill and to the left across from the Post Office.  Very convenient.

On the way back to the boat I spied this old tree.  It actually looked freshly fallen.  I hope the folks getting cable/phone service don’t mind their box being crushed!

Recent uprooted tree?

We heard that all the Loopers caught in the high unexpected high waves and increasing wind gusts made it safely to Frankfort.  However, they did not enjoy the adventure at all.

As night falls on this little town, the sun is slowly closing his eyes and falling to sleep.

The Moon is up and will keep us company the rest of the night.  Full Moon tomorrow night?

Rising Moon