Winter Home (Storage)

Winter time look of a lonely Michigan boat.....longing for April launch.

Skipper Buds Raft Up 2008

Our weekend began with a Sat night trip to the barge anchored in Smith's Bayou (Spring Lake) as guests of Skipper Buds. We had a dinner on the barge and "lights out" around 11 so none of the condo neighbors got too upset with the noise. Our "slumber party" included our friends the Rowladers and Kenyons as overnight guests.



This invite gave us a prime spot for the surprise band performing on Sunday, only one boat off the barges. Here are some pics of the crowd of boats and the surprise band (The O. C. Beach Boys) who are actually some of the original Beach Boys. They (and the local warm up band too) were great and the weather was very hot and perfect for a huge party! Also included is a pic of our group awaiting departure after the party...they all look like they had a great time!!!


This was a huge success for the 6th annual Raft Up!

Labor Day to Sept 7 Trip North

So after the huge raft off in Spring Lake we headed out of Grand Haven on Labor Day "first light".

S Manitou Island was so inviting we anchored out for the afternoon before heading into Leland for the evening. Not a lot of action late on Labor Day in Leland....and no cell signal. Kinda wierd that we could use our phones on S Manitou but not on the mainland in Lelend. So no blog updates.
Here is a pic of S Manitou Island lighthouse.

Here is "Fishtown" in Leland. It is now a few commercial fisherman, some charter boats and a lot of retail shops. It is being preserved as a historic area and really is pretty cool.

And sunset at Leland was fantastic.

The trip to Charlevoix was uneventful except for an electronics failure. Apparently (after a call to technical support) the hard drive is overheating and Windows is automatically shutting down. So we arrived using the back up handheld GPS and are "saving" the main electronics for radar (if we need it). We hope it works if needed as it sporadically does.

Anchored out in Lake Charlevoix for the afternoon on Tuesday....it was hot and the water was 75* so very refreshing. Staying at the Charlevoix Municipal Marina. Wow, I thought the state was out of money....I think the local money must have had some influence because the facilities are absolutely gorgeous. Internet in the lounge, excellent floating docks and Hal the Duckmaster (not a typo....there are so many ducks on the docks at night his first job in the morning is to hose all the docks down!) is very helpful.

Went to Boyne City on Wed. Nice town with a couple marinas. Had a great lunch at the Red Mesa Grill, a local Mexican place. Have eaten here a few times and it is great every time! Took a slow cruise back to Charlevoix. Note that we are now a dinghy. This is Kevin Costners 172 foot yacht "Battered Bull". Security guys pacing the deck and all. Habormaster said this was the largest yacht in for the season. Unbelievable....Spent Thursday taking a walk before the rains, reading, having a great bloody mary and going to the local grocery store for a deli chicken for dinner. Also went to the local farmers market for fresh sweet corn, cherries, squash etc. Hope to leave afround noon tomorrow and plan to stop for fuel in Leland (and to pick up my electrical adapter I left on the electric post!!!) May continue on further or stop in Leland for the night...we'll see. So far a great trip again!

Pics and recap of Whistling Straits

We left Grand Haven Michigan on Friday evening July 18 for Saturday afternoon tee times at Whistling Straits. The lake was almost dead calm and an uneventful, beautiful 87 mile crossing was made in a little over three hours with the sun setting off the bow of the boat. Water temps changed from 75 degrees in Grand Haven to 57 degrees at the pierhead in Sheboygan...not a good omen for temperature inversion induced fog. After a bite to eat in a local Sheboygan Wisconsin watering hole, four of the golfers headed to accommodations at the American Club while the balance stayed aboard.
We awoke Saturday to rain and fog. After breakfast in town, we refueled the boat to ready it for the return trip across Lake Michigan and got the clubs ready for the days challenge. And what a challenge it was! After a little practice range work and the swing oil (bloody marys) were ordered in the lounge, we proceeded to the first tee accompanied by our caddies Kyle and Justin. The first hole provided enough visibility in the now partially lifting fog to see one's shot for its entire trajectory. This however soon changed as the fog came and went for the entire round. At times it was "target golf"..."Go over the towel I laid 30 yards down the fairway....don't go over 260 and right is better than left" could have been the caddie's advice. On other holes, especially par 3s, one caddy would go to the green and yell "all clear" when we were able to take our shots. Not exactly what we had hoped for with the pristine views afforded by this lake shore track. We did have about 10 holes with pretty good visibility, unfortunately these were not the "postcard" holes.
The caddies were very good at tracking shots, errant or otherwise, and very few balls were lost even with the challenge of the fog. They knew the course and could read the trajectory of the balls disappearing into the fog very well indeed. They really made a difference. It took us 6 hours to complete the 18 holes due to the challenge of the weather, but it would have been much longer without caddies.
The course was very challenging, but was adjudged very playable. Greens rolled true (if one listened to their caddie!!!) and provided just enough challenge...not like the greens at Arcadia Bluffs with their three or four tier shelfs which are just plain unfair. Bunkers abound and the rain of the night before made them wet and solid....a real challenge for most. All in all, still a very enjoyable and memorable round of golf.

The trip home across the lake on Sunday was quite foggy most of the way but most of the crew was busy watching Greg Norman blow his lead in the British Open on satellite TV. Midway through our trip home, we were hailed by the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw to warn us that our course would be taking us through the 100th running of the Chicago to Mackinaw Island sailboat race. 400 boats were entered into this race and we saw many boats on radar, but only passed close enough to a few of them to see them through the fog.
Upon arrival at our home port of Grand Haven, the group agreed that this boating and golf combination needs to be an annual event. Perhaps a trip to northern Michigan next year is in order....or should it be the harbor in Chicago or Milwaukee?....we'll have to plan it in November again so we all have something to look forward to during the long cold Michigan winter.....

Last Chicago Pics

A few last pics. Great trip but too short!

July 4

The trip down the Chicago River was great. Here are some pics of the skyscrapers. Really an awesome ride but they could use some nice spots to tie up for lunch/dinner.

The trip home on Sat morning was less than four hours to cover the 109 miles. Waves were basically non existant as forecasted. Everyone again slept (except Tom) as we left at 8:30AM Chicago time after being up late to watch the dual fireworks (sychronized firings from Monroe Harbor and Navy Pier at the same time)....really cool.

Had to buy some fuel at Burnham Harbor in Chicago....$5.43 per gallon! Ouch!

Want to go back to Chicago when we can spend more time exploring the harbors and the town. Really a nice family trip with all six of us on board. Once they get the new rest rooms and harbor master office done at DuSable it will be the best marina in Chicago!

Chicago

OK, Julie was aprehensive with a strong N wind and forecasted waves of 4-6 feet. S buoy was registering 20 knots. The waves were in fact at least that with an occasional 8 footer thrown in to keep it interesting. Speeds were between 18 and 32 MPH depending whether we were climbing or surfing the wave. Had to pull back the throttle as we neared Chicago as the waves were even larger. But it was all worth it as the Taste of Chicago food fair and fireworks were great. No one got sea sick but all but Tom slept or at least tried. Couldn't get internet to work so linited pics. Took long ride down Chicago river and have lots of shots we can add later. They made everyone aboard wear a life jacket as we went through the lock at the entrance to the river. Cruised past Navy Pier on our way back. We are returning Sat morning and zero to 1 foot waves are expected...shold be a very nice ride home. See you all soon.

Final Leg

OK, all good things must come to an end. But we are already getting ready to leave again on Thursday!! The entire family (except Spike) will be on board for the Fourth of July fireworks in Chicago. Hopefully the Lord will continue to bless us with smooth seas and also a cloudless night (Independence Day Eve actually) for the fireworks. Then we travel back to Grand Haven for the annual Van Hall family reuninion/golf outing.

Pentwater was very nice as usual. This is actually one of our favorite ports to visit. We grilled at the dock but I was interrupted by wind and a downpour. I had watched the radar and thought I could get it done prior to the storm but we had to finish the loins in the convection oven on board. The temp dropped from 80 to 59 degrees in just a short time.

Pics are Julie's breakfast in bed, Snug Harbor marina and the view from our stern at dock here.

Woke up this morning to bright sunshine and a nice temp. We are looking for a smooth ride home (1-3 foot waves expected). Then to the fuel dock and pump out to be ready for the Chicago trip!

We will continue this blog on that trip as well as anytime we spend some time away from our home port this summer. See youall soon.

Frankfort

Nice trip from S. Manitou. Hard to leave such a perfect setting but need to back to GR for that four letter word on Monday....
Had to tie up on the wall until they sorted out slip assignments at Jacobsens but got a nice SW facing slip late afternoon. By the way, they have new ownership, a great new pool and hot tub and they are oh so friendly now. This is even a better destination than when we last visited! A great marina and a cool little town. Just not enough time......
Talked to "Shenanigan's" in the next slip. They too are from GH and are just leaving on a 6 week trip....yes six weeks!! They just retired and have only planned the first couple weeks then they just go wherever their heart leads them. Someday.......
Excellent dinner at Coho Cafe. Shrimp spring rolls and salad for appetizer and a wonderful whitefish, garlic mashed and asparagus dinner. A nice Italian Pinot Grogio to compliment and ....well it was perfect!
Heading for Pentwater this morning. Snug Harbor (Jack) has a slip for us. That will put us still in that great, clear, cool northern waters but within 2 hours of Grand Haven so we can get back to reality tomorrow. Well, time to get that shower and breakfast and then off to Pentwater.

S Manitou

OK we are here and have a cell signal so we will give you all an update. Crossing Death's Door was great until we hit fog at mid lake. We got reprinanded by national park ranger for anchoring too close to a protected bird area but are now anchored overnight legally. Going to frankfort tomorrow then to pentwater and then to GH. A few pics are attached.

Fred and Fuzzy's Waterfont Bar and Grill

Took a dinghy ride for lunch to the above restaurant. First two pics show our view and the dock we used. Nice little two or three mile ride. Lots of sun and nice warm temps.

Walking a long way to a restaurant tonight....Inn at Kristofer's...third pic is taken from the back of our boat and shows how far we have to walk....basically accross the street!

We will cross to S Manitou tomorrow and hope to anchor out at the crescent beach there. Wish us luck with the weather! If too stormy looking we will tie up in Leland instead. Plotted course through Death's Door this afternoon. Julie can't wait! Currents, rocks and waves can't be bad with GPS right?

Hopefully no post tomorrow as there is no wireless on S Manitou! Call us on channel 9 or 16.....

We will post again on Friday when near Michigan!

Fish Creek to Sister Bay

First pic is sunset in Fish Creek. Cool little town, could have stayed a few days. Nice marina and lots of restaurants and shopping. Went to a trendy little spot, Mr Helsinki's which had Asian flair food and a great wine list. Upstairs of one of the clothing stores...really out of the way but very busy and VERY good. But off to Sister Bay on Tuesday it is.....

OK so it took us from 11AM to 5PM to move 8 or 9 miles....Horshoe Island looked too inviting so we just anchored out. Second pic is Sum Escape at anchor on NW corner of the island. Took a dinghy ride around the island, sunned ourselves, had a great lunch and stayed out on the sunpad as the black flies were swarming in the cockpit out of the wind. Wandered into the marina around 5.

Sister Bay is very nice as well. Went to the Mission Grill restaurant last night and had a wonderful prime rib and nice bottle of cab. Made for a long walk back to the boat! Weather has been fantastic the entire trip thus far. Now we are just praying for a safe and smooth crossing tomorrow.

Walked up the hill to the Piggly Wiggly grocery store this morning. Out of tonic water.....can't have that! Got a few veggies, fruits and milk while we were there as well.

Hope to be in Leland late Thurs. Then wander our way home....oh we wish we could do this another week! But only three days of work and then back on board with all our children to cruise to Chicago DuSable Harbor for the Independence Day Eve fireworks extravaganza! Are diesel future up already based on our travels????

For all you boaters out there, we have traveled about 260 miles and are getting around 3/4 MPG. It doesn't make a lot of difference in economy from about 25-30MPH and the diesels just purr at 90% throttle (about 30.5MPH). We can get about .8 MPG if we move at 24 or so. But I do not find the time spent to be worth the little difference. We've been averaging about 27-28 most of the time.

I am sitting on board looking WNW toward the Sister Islands as I write this. Flat calm with a SE wind at present....may have to go anchor out again......or at least take a little dinghy ride. May take the dinghy to a little restaurant up the coast a mile or so tonight. Or walk up the hill...or...we don't need to make decisions!!!!!

See you all soon. Wish you could all experience this. Absolutely perfect......

Blog problems

We somehow lost rhe ability to update from Julies phone so no more pics I guess.  Anyway, we made the trip from Sturgeon Bay to Fish Creek in short order (after waiting for a half hour for a 13 foot bridge to open on the hour).   Nice marina (Alibi).   Anchored off Chambers Island for a little sun and a beverage.  Very calm except for the occasional rouge wave.  Heading for Sister Bay today.  Looks like occasional thunderstorms for the next few days so will have to watch carefully for a window to cross to Leland.  Will update again when we get internet connection again. 

We wish you all could join us....this is beautiful country and water. 

PS  Thank goodness for GPS......and autopilot!

Fish Creek

Excellent seas again today. Had to wait for the bridge opening in Sturgeon Bay...too tall to fit. Lots of shoals and rocks to navigate around. I cannot imagine the old days without GPS. Heading for Sister Bay tomorrow and then will navigate Deaths Door passage on our way to Leland on Wed or Thurs. Anchored off Chambers Island late afternoon as it looks like the wind and waves will start picking up he next couple days. Some pics are attached...beautiful up here!

Milwakee to Sturgeon Bay

Sat night took a couple boats up river for dinner. Lots of condos and restaurants. Only 12 ft clearance on some bridges. Trip to SB was flat. Note the great job done by AP the headless driver (auto pilot is wonderful)

Test

Test with pic...who was driving? AP is really a good driver.

Test of Comcast Upload

Test.   With a crossing picture.

Lake crossing and Milwaukee

We could have rafted off in the middle of the lake as we awaited repairs on the Fountain travelling with us! Nice day here in Milwaukee upon arrival and looks good for today too. I thinnk a dinghy ride up the river is in order today.....