We had some real memorable experiences in our trip "home" to Michigan. It started with picking up a rental car with Michigan plates in SC! Then when Tom got to work and was reviewing orientation materials it was noted that the three "example" schedules for flex time were Julie, Tom and Sarah! This trip back to Michigan was meant to be!
Work was like I never left it in certain ways. But in others, a completely new experiences. It was an honor to be able to support the solid team at SpartanNash for a short period of time again. I wish everyone the best!
And Julie stepped right back into spin and yoga classes with her old friends too!
Family wise it was wonderful to be "home".
A quick stop at North Shore Marina.
We celebrated mom's 94th birthday at a cottage we rented on the Muskegon Lake channel,
We were so happy to have all of our children present for the wedding of our son Jordan and new daughter in law Eliza. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Van Hall!!
We saw all our siblings, here we are with Julie's siblings at a new restaurant on the NW side of GR.
Julie organized photos and memorabilia from our storage locker, and sent boxes to each of our kids
One altercation with a deer running into the side of Julie's first rental car,
We generally enjoyed living downtown GR again and especially the wonderful summer weather in Michigan from early July till early October.
We even participated in the 7th annual bridge walk over the bridges of Grand Rapids on Labor Day. A great walk! And of course the 9th annual ArtPrize was happening downtown as well. One of the artist venues in front of a rising full moon.
And we biked around Muskegon on a nice September day with friends
River House condo on the left. Our home for three months.
It was great to walk along the river almost every day. Here we are on the last weekend in town in front of the condo building.
It was so great to see family, friends and former work associates. Several Sundays were spent with Mom.
But we did retire for a reason as well....
But we did retire for a reason as well....
and packing the SUV for the return trip, we hit the road for Hilton Head on Tuesday the 10th . It was a nice two day trip back and our boat neighbors welcomed us back. Well at least their boat did!
The only Irma damage was a broken vent cover where a spring line "caught" the edge and snapped it off as the boat was moving around in the wind and high water. A new vent cover is on order and it is just a cosmetic fix. The contracted help did a great job in maintaining the boat systems and the bright work refinishing was phenomenal. Check out the quality of this varnish on the bright work! I think I will be hanging up my brush, I can't compete with this!
When we arrived on Wednesday afternoon our friends Carole and DeVere (Job Site) were already in the marina and invited us over for a cocktail to welcome us home. And on Thursday we had dinner with them and Teri and Mike who live in the Windmill Harbor community. A "thank you" shout out to Teri and Mike who watched over our boat while we were gone. This even included a text that Irma was on the way and our boat needed attention. We had already contracted with Captain Mike to prepare her for Irma and they were happy to hear that. It was a busy hurricane season thus far!
The dinner was at a small out of the way restaurant, Hogs Head. Very good!
Friday we picked up Carole and DeVere and dined at the famous Hudson's. Great seafood and a good little band on the deck/pier. Carole was watching closely as the sign below said to do...Molly would not fare well against these.
We bid them farewell and safe travels as they left on Saturday morning for Michigan until early December. We hope to rendezvous with them in early December to cross the Okeechobee as we both have reservations on Florida's west coast for a period of time. We of course will all rendezvous with Brigitte and Scott (Putz'n Around) to plan another Bahamas cruise! Looking forward to our Bahamas group reunion too.
Sunday we launched the dinghy and took a 20 mile round trip ride to Daufeskie Island (SW of Hilton Head Island), rented a golf cart and rode around the island.
General Statistics from last few months.
May:
Days cruising 0 yes zero! Not part of the "plan"....
Diesel fuel gallons consumed 0
Bridges and locks 0
Car trips to Michigan to visit Mom 1 priceless
Miles on rental car 2500+
Days we kept rental car 50+ days
Days in Vero Beach timeshare 27
Moves to different rooms during this stay 5
Bed bug sniffing dog (mutt) room check 1 (all rooms were checked)
Percentage of timeshare guests who smoked, seemingly 50%+ (at least it was outside)
Walks along the beach Many with new turtle nest sightings many days...very cool
Weeks in a row at same church 4 ...a new two year record
Repairs to boat Too many....but it is a boat.
June:
Miles travelled: Month: 422 / Trip to Date: 8465
Travel days: 6/ 182
Engine hours: 48 / 961
Locks: 0/ 47
Bridges opened: 2 /68
Days on hook or free wall: 0 / 77
Gallons of diesel: 380 / 6893
July through Sept
No cruising but what a wonderful period to visit family and friends!
Oh, and work wasn't so bad either with the warm welcome I received.
Miles on rental car: 8,010
Rental cars damaged: 1 (Wayward deer running into side of car)
Weddings attended: 2
Friends and family visited: Too many to count! It was great seeing you all but not enough time to see everyone!
Looper friends visited in Michigan: 8 (Muskegon, Grand Haven and Holland)
Looper friends visited in Michigan: 8 (Muskegon, Grand Haven and Holland)
Michigan weather enjoyed: Priceless, it cannot be beat in Summer!
But it is great to be back aboard!!
But it is great to be back aboard!!
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