The Final Days of 2009

We are home. It has been so long since I blogged I have almost forgotten how!!

Anyway, you last heard from us as Labor Day was approaching in Frankfort. We went to the engagement party/Labor Day blast with Ron and Kay and had a wonderful time. Their location on Grand Traverse Bay is terrific. One can see city lights at night, the water is lapping away, very peaceful. It was a great party.

Then back to Frankfort where we got the boat ready to have overnight guests. Jennifer and her friend Meredith from San Francisco joined us for 5 days to move the boat across the Lake. Attached is a picture of the two of them, grinning from ear to ear, as we went to Leland for lunch on Day 1 of their visit. Jennifer of course has spent time growing up in Michigan so wanted to stay on that side of the Lake as long as possible. They took the car one day and went to Sleeping Bear Dunes and other highlights and had a blast. But on Sunday, September 13th it was time to move to Sturgeon Bay, WI. Emery and the girls took the boat and I took the Jeep on the car ferry. The weather was great and the Lake calm, so they got across in 3 hours; I took 6 hours…four on the slower ferry and an hour of driving on each side. But we got there.

We promptly went to Fish Creek for the oh-so-famous Fish Boil. We saw a good show as usual and Jennifer, Meredith and I ate the fish and accompaniments from the Boil… delicious!!! Emery had ribs but enjoyed watching the show none-the-less. On Monday we drove the three hours from Sturgeon Bay to Milwaukee where our guests were catching an early Tuesday morning flight. We stopped at Kohler along the way for lunch and a look at their famous golf courses….a fine time was had by all. Jennifer and Emery would love to play Whistling Straits together some time…maybe next year.

Then back to the boat for a final cleanup before storage. Attached is a picture of me filling the water tank for the last time in 2009. We had the oil and filters changed and then unloaded clothes and food for the trip home.

Finally, attached are pictures of the boat on the travel lift in the winter storage barn. It is huge, and light and airy, so a great place to keep The Emerys snug for the winter. We drove the 1200 miles home over three days and arrived on Saturday, September 19th. We loved the summer, but are delighted to be home. Who knows what next summer will bring.

Thanks for following the blog and enjoy your winter. Cheers to all.

Labor Day in Frankfort

We left Bay Harbor and went to Charlevoix for three days. As usual, that little town was wonderful and we enjoyed the restaurants, the shopping, the library (an old middle school re-engineered into a functioning library) and the people. We had one wet, stormy, windy day, but that is such a protected port that it matters not. Attached is a picture of the Charlevoix light, as well as pictures coming down the coast (Sleeping Bear Dunes and the Betsie Bay lighthouse) to Frankfort. I have attached pictures of its entry light and the Coast Guard station that welcomes you into Frankfort, so you get a full feeling for our Monday trip from Charlevoix to Frankfort. We even stopped in Leland for lunch, the lake was flat and the moving was easy.

We have been loving Frankfort. We have the Jeep here, so lots of freedom to move around. On Wednesday we drove to Clare (90 miles) to meet with friends Roger and Jean for lunch, visiting, and great pie for dessert. Sunday we are going to Traverse City to return the North Channel charts we borrowed from Ron and Kay and celebrate the engagement of their daughter.

And every day we walk to the lake to enjoy the spectacular sunset. Beats Mallory Square in Key West for sure!! It is salmon fishing season here, and every night about 5:00 PM 100-200 small and large fishing boats go out of Betsie Bay where we are docked to find the salmon. We watch them parade out as we have cocktails and dinner; then watch them come back after sunset. We are on an outside dock with an unobstructed view of all the action, and it is fun.

This marina is full for Labor Day weekend and there is lots going on. Once that is over however, we will be one of only a few boats left on the lake. Weather is terrific (70’s during the day and 50 and clear as a bell at night), so it is a great way to end our season. Next week Jennifer is coming to visit for 5 days and help move the boat and Jeep across the lake to Sturgeon Bay and then we start coming home. Cheers, happy Labor Day weekend.