"Sometimes you just have to drop the lines and let go."

26-30th August

Frankfort Municipal Marina

Frankfort, MI

Lake Michigan is beautiful.  Sandy shores and deep blue waters.  But she has been fierce these days often forcing us to stay ashore for longer than we want.  We often become familiar with the charming little towns sprinkled on her shore.  Other Loopers docking along with us become fast friends offering support and encouragement in many ways, even if it is because they are in the same position and have the same challenges that we face.  More than not, 3 to 4 foot waves every day.  

We stay put.

Beaches are plentiful along Michigan's shores.  This one is Frankfort beach.  It's a pretty day, but cold for beachgoers. 

Beautiful houses and flowers.

While we wait, we bike to nearby Crystal Lake.

We made it without getting wet!

We meet Loopers for docktails.  Since it was the eve of my birthday, I brought birthday cake and a couple bottles of champaign!  What a celebration it turned out to be.

Captain from MahiMahi plays "happy birthday".

Have you ever been serenaded with bagpipes?  Compliments of the captain of Braveheart! 

30th August-3rd of September

Ludington Municipal

Ludington, MI

Once again, high winds and rain storms.  We stay put!

Ludington alley.

Alan took me to Blue Moon for sushi on my birthday.  And it was good!

Twice a day we enjoyed watching the coal-burning steamship Badger come and go from Ludington MI to Manitowoc, WI. 

We watched him catch fish, but we never had the camera ready when he did.  He was pretty domesticated though.

Tuesday 4th September

Grand Haven Municipal

Actually we had a great cruise today.  Only 1-foot waves!

But it did rain.

And our treat of the day was meeting Alan's cousins from South Haven for dinner at Kirby's!

4th & 5th September

West Basin Marina

St. Joe, MI

More of Michigan's beautiful sand dunes.

. . . and lighthouses.

Wednesday, 5th September

Cruise to Chicago

We got up at 6 and left early to make it to Chicago while the winds and waves were subdued.

CHICAGO

Did an architectural boat tour of the city.  Not too many people because we had some rain! Alan and I sat close to the back where we could duck under the shelter when it would rain.  It was an informative tour though.  Did you know that Mrs. O'Leary's cow Daisy didn't start the Great Chicago fire in 1871? 

Enjoyed Lou Maniti's pizza with friends.

East end of Navy Pier.

We never made it to the docks of Chicago by boat.  We made it to Hammond IN, only about 10 miles south of the city and only 2 miles south of the river system where we go next.  Because of large waves and big winds, we decided to stay put, yet again,  until it clears which won't be until next Monday.  So we rented a car to visit the city.  And as I sit here writing this, the wind is howling and the boat moves just like I like to do in my hammock.  Fortunately we are tied, really well thanks to the captain, and we are going nowhere.  Not today.

Many times in the last couple of weeks, we have not wanted to move.  The winds were high and the waves fierce.  But then we were reminded that "you can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water".  For that matter, watching the weather on our electronic devices doesn't make the weather any better either.   Sometimes we just have to drop the lines and let go.

Looking forward to the river systems.  

. . . and cool crisp fall weather.