Leaving Mackinac Island heading west on The Straits of Mackinac. Passing under the 135 foot high Mackinac Bridge, you are now in Lake Michigan. The 4 mile long bridge serves as the dividing line between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
6:11 am
Passing by a light house
On the eastern shore of Lake Michigan every 20-30 miles there is a safe harbor of refuge. Storms can quickly force a boat to take shelter. Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State Waterways Commissions work together to provide boaters the best enjoyment on their waterways.
North Port Marina, North Port MI
We traveled 82.7 miles in rough waves for 3/4s of the day. We were pretty rough around the edges when arriving at the fuel dock. Tomorrows forecast is just as bad so we stayed 2 nights.
We dined at the Soggy Dollar and went into town the next day to check it out. An old 1859 sawmill was now a party rental for functions. We had lunch at the North End Eatery. Clever names were given to their dishes: The Skipper’s Dipper, The Flying Pig and Yo Adrian just to mention a few.
5:32 am Brought another beautiful sunrise. Another long day down to Manistee
The eastern shore is known for its giant sand dunes. They can reach 450 feet high.
Sleeping Bear sand dune
Captain Larry making an entry into his log, he does at least 3 a day, every day we travel.
Manistee, MI
The break wall into Manistee river.
Manistee in Chippewa language is “Spirit of the Woods.” Manistee Lake was heavily used by the lumber industry and millions of board feet of lumber and waste set on the bottom.
Park Dairy’s Diner
After plying the waves another 102 miles, we had a “Flight of Five” ice cream sampler. I Had to get 5 to go cups. Each was a double scoop. At just $7.00 it was a steal. The chocolate cherry amaretto and chocolate chip mint were excellent.
The restaurant was a retro 50s throw back complete with poodle skirt and juke box music. Notice the soda straw wrappers stuck to the ceiling. We used to do that when we were in High School! A little mustard on the end and shoot it to the ceiling!
A free summer outdoor concert was taking place as we walked back to the marina.
Read, follow and understand the warning signs. It could save your life.
Morning light on the break wall. Heading to Muskegon
Passing more sand dunes
Muskegon, MI
These 2 outer break walls extend 1/2 mile from shore with a 500 foot opening between the two. Keep the red on the right! (Starboard) coming in!
And the green on the left! (port)
Muskegon Light House sets on the 3/4 mile cement channel wall on the Lake Michigan end.
USS Silversides a WWII Submarine and Museum are on the cement channel wall.
Retired McLane, Coast Guard vessel sets behind the sub.
Captains Log: As we pulled into the harbor parallel to the submarine, we were following a runabout. I saw a Coast Guard vessel coming out from behind a breakwater at the Coast Guard Station. On the deck were three “Coasties” readying some large orange fenders. I told Cindy “somebody is getting boarded and I hope it’s not us”.
When I saw him heading out into the channel, I made sure to slow down and let him in in front of us. I don’t know if that entered into his decision as to who to stop or not, but what a relief when they pulled the boat in front of us over. I was elated that it was not us. I always keep all of our paperwork current and try to obey all of the rules but you never can tell when something might slip through the cracks.
We have been fortunate to not have been stopped anywhere on the loop so far. I hope our luck holds out until we get back.
Sunset at the marina
Cindy’s Observations: While in Canada I received word that my mother had urgent medical needs. We did not want to leave the boat there, so we motored long days to reach a safe and convenient stopping point to get a rental car and drive home. Muskegon was our choice to leave the boat, and if needed, could leave it there as long as necessary.
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