Observer

Today is the seventh anniversary of my Dad's (DJC) passing.  We wish we could have shared this trip with you Dad. Still lots of rolly conditions here at the marina.  We got some nice provisions at the local farmer's market - unfortunately o dogs allowed so Millie had to watch from the outskirts.  We did the local trolley tour of town for the whopping price of $1.50 each.  Learned a bit about the local history - including that this was once the manufacturing home of Story & Clark pianos (the property has since been converted to a retail and residential development).  We did see some great architecture on the tour as well as some of the things that make Grand Haven fun. This property was covered in large paper mache  figures.  This is just a small sampling. Did a inflatable ride over to North Shore Marine to look at boats.  We ran into Ed and Sabine from Darak who told us they are having an engine replaced and will be held up there another week - bummer.  We jo

The wind came through last night and has held today and we are rockin' and rollin' in this slip.  By some miracle our legitimate MMSI # was emailed to us last night.  Skipper Bud showed up about 1:30 and with some technical know how, a little prayer and a lot of luck, Observer is now showing up on AIS systems - check. We had two three foot fenders laying horizontal interspersed with four round fenders to keep us from crashing into the dock. We were treated to a jazz ensemble practicing next to the marina Kids having fun in the slash pad in front of Observer (Millie liked it too)

We are trying to get a marine electronics company to fix our AIS (automatic identification system for marine traffic). We can see and identify other AIS vessels but they can't see us. This will be especially beneficial in the inland rivers after Chicago.  The river system can be very narrow and very serpentine with the tow boats hauling up to 90 barges.  With AIS, the tow operators can see us around corners and hail us by name to give us instructions on where they would like us to pass.   After a few phone calls to local companies with little success, Alice ran into someone from 'Skipper Bud' working on a boat nearby.  Kendrick came over and explained that our Boat US MMSI # (AIS #) could not be programmed in our system and we needed one issued by the FCC.  The good news was that our next port of call was Grand Haven where Skipper Bud is based. There was not much going on in Muskegon and weather was going to lock us in for a couple days so we left the dock about 1:00 a

U p early and off the dock at 7:30 - hit reverse, Observer went back then bounced forward in the slip - rookie mistake - we had left the starboard bow line on- every mistake is a 'learning opportunity'.  It was a little bumpy on the five hour trip over to Muskegon.  We are tied up at a busy spot.  There is a boat launch nearby, a big restaurant with outside seating and a live band drawing lots of visiting boaters. Thia waterway also leads to another marina further upstream. Lots of action.  Awesome live band played all afternoon The marina does not allow grill cooking on board so we spent some time cooking our meal around one of the shared grills provided by the marina conversing with some really nice local boaters.

We departed Ludington about 10 and had a nice cruise over to Snug Harbor Marina in Pentwater.   Snug Harbor Marina Three of the staff met us at the dock, tied up Observer and hooked up our shore power.  They threw in a 15% discount for Loopers - how's that? Did our little tour around town and found an inexpensive salon decoration in one of the local shops.  We have been looking for something to decorate the salon since we left Danvers. Got in a bike ride and a little reading.  We joined Islandia for docktails then hit the Antler Pub for dinner .

Even heavier winds today.  We thought we'd walk out to the harbor entry / breakwater and check the out the impact of SS Badger entering a very turbulent Lake Michigan.  We got some great photos of her exiting the harbor but she did seem to handle the seas pretty well. Re-supplied our fruits and vegetables at the local farmers market and put the slow cooker to work for our dinner - everything tastes better on a boat. Chicken lime cilantro tacos made in the slow cooker

Tim's was a bit overdue for a haircut so he ventured out today a bit hesitant as he has had the same haircut by the same woman, Shannon for 30 years.  Family Barber on Main Street Ludington was where I found myself for the quickest (I think I could have held my breath though it) haircut I've had in a long time. . . it actually turned out pretty good - check.  It was not advised to travel today because of heavy winds and waves on Lake Michigan. We toured the recently opened Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. They have done a great job compiling a collection of Lake Michigan maritime history and how it was impacted by shipping progressions along the years.   We capped off the day joining 10 other Loopers for a great dinner @ PM Steamers - it did not disappoint.

Out of the harbor about 7:15 and we had the pleasure of very calm seas today on Lake Michigan.  We'd made reservations at the Harbor View Marina, Ludington - very nice with a range of amenities from pool to exercise room and boaters' lounge. Harbor View Marina pool and hot tub Boaters Lounge Beautiful grounds at this marina Not too long after our 1:00 arrival, the Harbor Host Becky Magee stopped by with a welcome bag of snacks and area brochures, maps, offer of transportation and any local knowledge she could provide.  In the abutting waterfront park there was some great county music playing. Country Music band as seen from Observer We did our customary walk around town Ludington has many wonderful sculptures sprinkled throughout town This was one of my favorites and dingy ride around the harbor.  Among other things Ludington is known for SS Badger. It's a 410' coal fired ship that traverses from Wisconsin to Ludington, Michigan twice /

We stayed put in Frankfort today.  Bike ride, Millie to the beach The water is crystal clear Millie with her stick and walk around a nice gem of a neighborhood right off Main Street. We were invited to cocktails aboard Vahevala who had also invited two other boats, both sailboats adventuring the Loop. Then we bbq'd up our dinner with the marina grill.

We let our lines go this morning and made our way further  south   down the eastern shore of Lake Michigan to Frankfort, MI by early afternoon. We went right by Sleeping Bear Dunes Park we had been to the other day from the water side - spectacular. Sleeping Bear Dunes We took Millie for a nice walk around this great little town and ran into some Loopers here and there.  We made plans to have dinner with Pat & Pete of Resolute.  We had not traveled with them since the Erie Canal and it was fun trading stories of our different experiences in some of the same places over the last couple months. Entrance to the harbor Jacobson Marina 

We left Northport about 8 and had a nice easy run over to Lelund arriving just before 12. Leland Township Harbor Marina Ran into our sister ship Resolute Pete and Pat on Resolute who we have not seen since the Erie Canal and MZ Fullcharge who we met in Mackinac.  We were docked next to a great couple on their sailboat who had a black lab 'Sarge'.   Sarge Sarge had a gruff exterior but quite sweet once you got to know him.  Millie never got beyond his gruff side.    fishing nets hung out to dry After a walk around town and a bike ride we stopped by to sit with Mike and Jonell aboard Gettin Looped and shared some stories of our adventures.  Dinner adjacent to the lake damn falls 'Cove Restaurant' and then up to our flybridge to watch a beautiful sunset.