September 25, 2009 - White Lake, Michigan

As we departed Ludington, we noticed the reservoir just south of the entrance. It appears as an unnatural, flat-top hill. When there is excess power in the local grid, the power company uses it to pump this huge reservoir full of water. Then, when power is needed, the reservoir is drained into Lake Michigan through the turbines, which create electricity.

Next stop is White Lake. At the entrance is the White River Light Station, now a museum. Many historic Lake Michigan light houses have been saved for posterity by foundations and volunteer groups.

About every 15 miles or so along this part of Lake Michigan’s shore, there is a natural river and lake which enters the big lake, making for many wonderful protected harbors. This one is White Lake, a beautiful body of water, about four miles long, and edged with cottages. As it’s only about 45 minutes from Grand Rapids, we imagine many folks from there vacation here. We anchored securely along the southeastern shore for the night.

September 24, 2009 - Ludington, Michigan

We departed Frankfort for our night’s destination of Ludington. Along the way, a hilltop, lake front golf course shone in the morning sun.

A bit later, Little Sable Point Light was our coastal sentinel.

Once in the harbor, we passed a decommissioned car ferry, the Spartan. It docks next to the dock for the active ferry, the Badger, which was its normal run to Wisconsin.

The lake comprising the harbor at Ludington is Pere Marquette Lake. Here is the Father Pere Marquette Memorial, commemorating this French missionary/explorer.

We approached our marina for tonight.

Here is Monarch, as we wait for our friends, Chuck and Linda Throm from the Detroit area, to join us for the night. They drove all the way across the state to see us, take us to dinner, spend the night, and enjoy breakfast aboard. What a treat for us!

September 23, 2009 - Frankfort, Michigan

Last evening featured this beautiful Leland sunset over Lake Michigan.

Today, we departed Leland on a cloudy morning, and headed south along Lake Michigan’s shoreline.

The shoreline here is sandy, with lots of small dunes, leading up to the fabled Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Here is the Sleeping Bear. Indian legend has it that many years ago, in Wisconsin, lived a mother bear and her two cubs. One day, a fire broke out. All animals were forced to leave the forest. The mother bear and her cubs swam across Lake Michigan toward the Michigan coast. Soon, the two cubs grew tired and fell behind their mother. When the mother bear came to the Michigan shore, she climbed to the highest point she could find, and waited for the cubs. But her cubs did not make it to shore. The Great Spirit, who watched over all the animals, turned the cubs into two islands, North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island. The mother bear fell asleep still waiting for her cubs, and the Great Spirit covered her with sand to keep her warm. She now watches over her cubs as the giant Sleeping Bear Sand Dune.

This gambrel roofed light station at Point Betsie is said to be the most photographed light on Lake Michigan.

With the dunes rising high above the lake, many homeowners invest in quite the stairway to access the water.

The shoreline dunes made interesting sightseeing as we approached our destination of Frankfort.

Once in the harbor, what a surprise to see our sailboat, Full Tilt, which we sold six years ago. We knew she was on this side of the state, but didn’t expect to see her. She looks the same, even with the DYC logo on the transom, though the new owner is NOT a member!

During our usual walkabout, we stopped at the local smokehouse, and got some excellent jerky. Smoked fish was also for sale here. The owner, Frank, mentioned several secret recipes he uses, but did not offer to share them with us!

Sport fishing is big here from the Betsie River out through Lake Betsie and into Lake Michigan, and the salmon were jumping out of the water! The dock’s fish cleaning station is set up with several spots where expert filleting was underway. No one had any extra fish to part with, however.

At anchor, the sun came out and shone on Monarch.

As we went for our dinghy ride, we noted this yacht with an unusual tender – an amphibious car!

The Frankfort shoreline on Lake Betsie has many nice condo complexes complete with docks.

The waterfront is interesting, with a mix of residential, retail and marine businesses.

As the sun set, we enjoyed the view from the aft deck.

As the lights came on in town, we were secure on our anchor for the night.

September 22, 2009 - Leland, Michigan

We left Charlevoix on the 10:30 bridge opening, with Mount McSauba in the background.

Along this area of Lake Michigan we saw lots of sand dunes, and stairways to the homes nestled at the top of the bluffs.

We entered Leland Harbor, which had just been renovated this summer, with a beautiful harbor office and floating docks.

We wandered around the quaint town, shopping and sightseeing. This area, one of the few remaining commercial fishing villages on the Great Lakes, is being preserved by an historical society.

The shops were interesting, and we stopped for smoked fish sausages and fish dip.

The smoked fish sausages from Carlson’s Fish House were so tasty, Jerry went out for more just before the shop closed.

September 18-21, 2009 - Charlevoix, Michigan

We rose at what Jerry calls “0 dark-thirty” and were away from the Cheboygan dock before the sun was up. The riverbanks were well lit, and we made our way out into Lake Huron for the last time this trip. The sun greeted us as we turned toward the Straits of Mackinac.

A thrill to rival the Statue of Liberty is the Mighty Mac. This seems to us to be the official symbol of our state.

The wind was whipping from the north, which caused a picturesque spray from our bow.

After passing under the bridge, the early morning sun glinted from the waves.

Just a few hours beyond, we came to our destination of Charlevoix. Once in the channel, we looked back at the light marking the entrance.

The bridge opens on the hour and half-hour. We tooted our horn for the tender to lift the bridge, just behind a small workboat ahead of us.

We will spend several days here at the dock, to see Marty’s Mom and Dad from Mancelona, and other relatives and friends who are nearby.

Our first walkabout took us to the elegant community of the Belvedere Neighborhood Association, started in the late 1800’s.

The homes are historic, elegant, and have great character. This contrasts with so many waterfront communities where the homes are gigantic and built to out-do the neighbors!

This area is not far from the marina where we are docked.As has often been the case during our travels, the town threw a party for us! In this case, it was the Oktoberfest, with brats and beer, and a dachshund (wiener dog) parade and race.

We were pleased when Marty’s second cousin Rocky Nothstine, and his friend Pat, came to see the boat as they also enjoyed the festivities in Charlevoix.

A real highlight was when Marty’s mom and dad came for lunch aboard. Cousins Jim and Bill brought them over from Mancelona. The Charlevoix dock crew brought around the Mayor’s electric mini-car to provide door-to-door service for them.

Mom and Dad enjoyed their visit to Monarch, and we enjoyed having them aboard.

We said farewell to all, as we are ready to depart tomorrow for the port of Leland.

September 15-16, DeTour, Michigan

Another windy day, and we were off the hook early to be ahead of the increase that was forecast for later. We scooted across the length of the North Channel with following seas, and headed into port at DeTour, at the extreme east end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

We knew we were back on the main thoroughfare of the St. Mary’s River, as we watched the freighters make their way past.

We docked at the marina, and decided to stay two nights, with winds predicted for 25 knots and waves for 7 feet in the north end of Lake Huron. The small town is most friendly, with a nice IGA in a 100-year old wooden-floored building, and an outfitter that carries all kinds of nautical charts and supplies.

The nautical theme is evident at this waterway crossroads.