In 2021 The Smithsonian Magazine named Charlevoix, Michigan one of the nation's top 15 communities. We planned a one or two day stop in Charlevoix, but liked it so much that we extended our stay. It is a beautiful town, just like the message on the manhole covers! / With Matt and Shirley, we took … Continue reading Charlevoix the Beautiful
Grand Traverse Bay at Hull Speed
Today we are heading up the deep and wide East Bay of Grand Traverse Bay, on the way to Leland again. Leelenau Peninsula is two miles to port, Mission Peninsula is two miles to starboard, the sun is warming the air, and seas are flat. A beautiful day on the water! The past few travel … Continue reading Grand Traverse Bay at Hull Speed
Bugged by Harbor Springs
Matt and I cruised from Leland to Harbor Springs, located near Petoskey on the Little Traverse Bay, and checked in at the city marina. Many gardens are maintained by the HS Garden Club. For more than 100 years Harbor Springs has been a summer home community for wealthy city dwellers, with many impressive waterside “cottages.” … Continue reading Bugged by Harbor Springs
Leland a/k/a Fishtown
Yesterday Matt and I cruised 106 miles north from Pentwater to Leland. We passed the massive Sleeping Bear Dunes to starboard. South winds built during the day, giving us a push but also causing waves and whitecaps as we approached Leland. The narrow harbor entrance at Leland is flanked by boulders just under the water … Continue reading Leland a/k/a Fishtown
Lake Michigan Northbound!
My brother-in-law Matt Bonne and I started the northbound trip on Friday. Rhonda and her sister Shirley plan to join us “up north” after a few days. The sisters helped us off the dock at Eldean Shipyard. We idled out the Holland channel into Lake Michigan, turned to starboard, and got up to cruising speed. … Continue reading Lake Michigan Northbound!
Preparation and Shake-Down
With R&R in the water and almost of her refitting completed, we are beginning to load clothing, provision food and drinks, check boating equipment, and plan for this summer's voyage. We've made many trips from home to boat, and will make many more over the next few days. I arranged for a US Coast Guard … Continue reading Preparation and Shake-Down
R&R means “Repairs & Renovations”
After completing our Great Loop voyage in Holland, MI last August, R&R (the boat) was ready for repairs and updates, some due to service intervals, others to improve visibility/safety/convenience, yet others to replace older items. Yacht Basin in Holland completed her 1,000 hour engine and transmission service (typical oil and filter change plus impellers, drive … Continue reading R&R means “Repairs & Renovations”
Dock Tales!
Dock Tales ALGCA (America's Great Loop Cruisers Association) is a well-run organization that provides excellent Great Loop training, support and resources. Whether you're dreaming about, planning for, currently cruising, or have completed the Great Loop, ALGCA is the place for information, inspiration, and camaraderie. Among ALGCA's many benefits are twice-a-year Rendezvous gatherings attended by hundreds … Continue reading Dock Tales!
Loopers Care
Our creative and generous Looper friends Greg and Susan Costa developed an excellent way to connect with and “give back” to communities as they travel America's Great Loop. It is their goal to do something to make a positive difference at many stops along their (second) Great Loop journey. This might be volunteering, making a … Continue reading Loopers Care
PostLoop #1
Since crossing our wake (finishing our 6,800 mile voyage on America’s Great Loop), we have enjoyed good times with family and friends in the Midwest, and I have been in Indiana a few times to meet with clients and colleagues. Radian Journey spent a few days with us in Holland. Sunset at Halfway Creek First … Continue reading PostLoop #1
We Crossed Our Wake!
R&R crossed her wake at 6:30 PM on August 20, 2021 in Holland, MI after nearly two years and 6,748 miles around this beautiful country on America's Great Loop. Wow! What an adventure! Our hearts are full of gratitude for all the friends we met, the memories we made, and for this opportunity of a … Continue reading We Crossed Our Wake!
Grand Haven, Coast Guard City USA
We traveled nearly 70 miles from Ludington to Grand Haven on a picture-perfect Lake Michigan boating day: temperatures in the 70's, light breeze, glassy-smooth water. Ludington's S.S. Badger, the last coal-fired, steam-driven passenger ship on the Great Lakes Harborview Marina in Ludington Leaving the Ludington channel One of our blog followers sent me these shots … Continue reading Grand Haven, Coast Guard City USA
More Manistee Millionaires
Manistee's historic downtown and nearby residential district lie along the navigable river connecting Lake Manistee to Lake Michigan. In 1841 the first permanent European settlers opened a sawmill in Manistee Lake. With a natural harbor and access to northern Michigan forests, the city became a logging and lumber boomtown that by 1885 had forty operating … Continue reading More Manistee Millionaires
Bouncing from Arcadia to Manistee
My sister Eve, her husband Pete, and their son Eli joined Don and me for a short day-trip from Arcadia to Manistee. Rhonda drove Eve and Pete’s car from port to port and ably assisted with take-off and landing. Leaving the narrow channel to Lake Arcadia The Captain, paying attention to the waves Do they … Continue reading Bouncing from Arcadia to Manistee
Arcadia Culinary Surprise
Brother Don and I had a tentative plan to travel from Leland to Frankfort, but none of that town’s marinas could accommodate us. Another boater in the Leland Harbor office told me that he found space in Arcadia, so we called and scored a slip there. Leaving Leland Lighthouse near North Manitou Island Don recalled … Continue reading Arcadia Culinary Surprise
Lovely Leland
My brother Don joined us in Traverse City for a few days of Lake Michigan Great Loop cruising. Traverse City friends Kristen, Allen and Bonnie joined Don and me for a cruise up the East Bay, around Northport Point, and down to Leland. Rhonda helped us off the dock in TC and (after a few … Continue reading Lovely Leland
Traverse City Extravaganza!
We caught the 0700 drawbridge opening in Charlevoix for a trip around the East Arm of the Grand Traverse Bay, past Mission Point in the center of the Bay, and on south to the Clinch Muncipal Marina in downtown TC. First Mate at the helm An Earl Young house on Round Lake Leaving the CVX … Continue reading Traverse City Extravaganza!
Charming Charlevoix
We stayed in Charlevoix, Michigan for two days, enjoying this charming town. Downtown Charlevoix and the city marina lie on the shore of Round Lake, connecting to the Lake Michigan channel on the west and Lake Charlevoix on the east. Charlevoix’ small downtown has many unique shops and restaurants that we enjoyed. The area has … Continue reading Charming Charlevoix
Back in Lake Michigan Again!
We heard that strong currents in the Straits of Mackinac (a narrow band of water that links Lakes Michigan and Huron) could produce 3-6 foot waves and that the best time to transit the Straits is early morning. So we rolled out early, left the slip quietly to not awaken our dock-neighbors, and were out … Continue reading Back in Lake Michigan Again!
Incomparable Mackinac Island!
Fort Mackinac, the Indian Barracks, and stately Victorian cottages just ashore of our Marina. We looked forward to Mackinac Island for most of our Great Loop voyage. We planned that this island would be our re-entry to the USA after enjoying a few weeks in Canada's Georgian Bay and North Channel, but Canada closed its … Continue reading Incomparable Mackinac Island!
Say Ya to Da UP, Eh?
St. Ignace, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is on Lake Huron at the north end of the Mackinaw Bridge. St. Ignace and Mackinaw City at the south end of the Bridge both provide ferry service to Mackinac Island, which is about 5 miles away from both ports. French Jesuit priests founded the St. Ignace Mission in … Continue reading Say Ya to Da UP, Eh?
Captain’s Log 7/31/21
Here are some statistics about our voyage on America's Great Loop, plus Nebo Tracker's summary of our July travels. R&R: St. Ignace, Michigan Departed: September 8, 2019, Holland, Michigan Travel Days: 116 Miles: 6,340 Fuel: 7,752 gallons Locks: 77 Anchorages: 5 Waterways Traveled: Lake Michigan, Calumet River, Cal-Sag Channel, Illinois River, Mississippi River, Ohio River, … Continue reading Captain’s Log 7/31/21
Great Lakes Boat Building School
While we were in Cedarville, Michigan in Les Cheneaux Islands we, our friends Alvin and Dianne, and Ray and Diane from Radian Journey walked to the nearby Great Lakes Boat Building School for a tour. GLBBS has a well-designed facility and an impressive trade school curriculum, offering one-year certificate programs in either wood boat building … Continue reading Great Lakes Boat Building School
Les Cheneaux Islands and Soo Locks
Les Cheneaux Islands is a group of 36 small islands, some inhabited, some not, along twelve miles of beautiful Lake Huron shoreline at the far northeast end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. "Les Cheneaux" is French for "The Channels" and the islands were aptly named for their many large and small channels. The villages of Hessel … Continue reading Les Cheneaux Islands and Soo Locks
North Channel Island-Hopping
Friends Bob and Kristen flew to Drummond Island with Mike in his vintage Cessna. I drove the dinghy from our Harbor Island anchorage to Drummond Island Yacht Haven and then drove a loaner SUV to the rustic Drummond Island airport to meet them. The DI Airport Executive Lounge We transferred Bob and Kristen‘s luggage from … Continue reading North Channel Island-Hopping