Pretty, Popular Petoskey, MI

Petoskey, MI                             Bayfront Marina                                   August 17- 22, 2016

We left Mackinac Island early on a grey, drizzly Tuesday morning with calm, smooth water. There was no point trying to take photos of the lighthouses as we went by. Dad has great photos of them from his past Chicago to Mac Sailboat Racing trips. Surprisingly, we had very little boat traffic too…so our crossing to Petoskey was relatively uneventful. 

One of the two impressive lights/lighthouses by Mackinac Island

the Mackinac Island lighthouse 

the elegant Mackinaw Bridge that connects the lower and upper peninsula of Michigan

Grey's Reef Light

After getting us all breakfast she was able to accomplish other chores that had to be done…like searching Amazon to replace items that have broken or are finished and having them sent ahead of us…The Shetter’s in Menominee are collecting our mail and purchases. They said it’s beginning to look like Christmas at their house with all the packages piled up! 

Dad and mom had good cell reception for a change so they talked to friends including the Williams, our FL neighbors. They were in an RV park about 30 minutes away from Petoskey. They called to let us know that Don would come get us for dinner at their campsite with other friends we know.

It wasn’t until we got closer to Petoskey that we started seeing more boat traffic and wind. Unbelievable! Hardly any wind our whole crossing until we need to dock for fuel before docking for our stay. With the wind against us, it took 4 people pushing plus mom to get Moondance off the fuel dock. Dad expertly threaded her into our slip, but the young girls helping tied the aft midship line too tightly making our bow swing out wide, before we could get the fore midship line secure…Eventually, we got it all straightened out, but it made for a bit more last minute excitement than any of us wanted!

This marina, the waterfront park and the city are so beautiful! With lots of grassy areas to make me happy! There’s a break wall outside the marina to provide some protection along with a small lighthouse to mark the channel. Mike had to steer wide coming in because of all the kids jumping off by the lighthouse…even toward nightfall, they are out there.

Coming around the break-wall, long at all the people at the end waiting to jump off...

It's a long break-wall, so a long walk...

Lonestar was parked next to us, so mom asked them to come over for a quick drink before we were leaving with Don. The next thing we knew we had all these other loopers onboard…We told them they could stay as long as they wanted, but we had to leave.

It was too funny! Don arrived at 5:30. He thought he saw our boat but was confused when he saw all the people on it…not half as confused as us! (Kevin said they stayed a few minutes longer than moved over the Canadian loopers boat who had more shade.) 

It was a delight to travel into the countryside to another part of the lake to their campsite. Always good to see friends and spend time catching up. Lori & Don will have traveled more miles than us this summer in a shorter time period. Lori and Don made a wonderful meal seem effortless. They made us work for our desserts, Smore’s by the campfire. YUM! It was a late night for us coming home, but we really appreciated the time spent with everyone!!!

             What a wonderful campsite complete with picnic table and campfire site

                       Cindy & Gary Simpson along with Jane who were all close to their home.

              Lori and Don can put out a spread and an incredible meal no matter what!!!

                     

Hanging around the campfire, what a treat! ...And, S'mores!!!

Lori and Casey alias "Monkey"

Looks like a serious conversation between Mike and the Simpsons

Our hosts with the most!

Casey's own space

We woke up to thunderstorms this AM! That got my attention! Dad got soaked as he climbed to the flybridge to zip it up! Mom was suppose to go to an early appointment, but had to cancel since she didn’t want to chance walking in the storm. Once the storm passed, but was still drizzling, they fed me and went to explore the town. They bragged about having a wonderful breakfast at Roast and Toast. (No leftovers, BOO) 

                                                  Roast and Toast for breakfast was terrific!

Checking out a spot to take Dan and Sara to dinner when they arrived, The Park City Grill was highly recommended by our local friends here. (Hemingway hung out there with his family when he was a kid & his family visited this area.)

M & D had drinks onboard with Dan and Sarah before walking uptown to the restaurant. They had a delightful time and a terrific meal! Reminding them that the last time they were altogether was before they were married over 2 1/2 years ago. M & D saw them off at the marina parking lot.

The beautiful Bayfront Marina area

Some other boat dogs in a much smaller boat...wow!

Mike bringing Sarah and Dan back to our boat

Sorry, this photo is so blurry because I love everyone's smiles

Did better here with Dianne, our excellent waitress at Park City Grill, Sarah and Dan

The best we can do with a Moondance photo in this marina

Mom and dad had barely seen them off and Jo and Don arrived. We had drinks on the flybridge with them and Kevin & Steve before taking Jo & Don back to the same restaurant, so they could have dinner and M & D a drink. Before heading there, we were treated to a magnificent sunset before dinner! 

What a worldwind night, but none of us would trade it for the world!!! Love all those extra pets I get! 

Sunset from our flybridge with Don, Jo and Kevin and Steve

This exquisite bar dates back to 1895 

Hemingway was allowed to hangout here with his folks and write some of this first stories

Got up late the next morning since we were up so late last night…everyone moved very slow. Jo and Don came over a bit before noon and M & D went off with them to visit some wineries and get lunch. By the time they returned from those visits plus shopping at Walmart, it was 5 PM and everyone was exhausted. Mom fed me and she and dad collapsed…too much partying for them! They stayed in with me and watched the sunset while Jo & Don hung out over by their cabin. 

Jo with her dog, Phoebe at one of our Winery Stops

Don with his dog, Saucey

One of the lovely winery views

Mike & Jo, part of the "Team Slow" Running Group

Sweet Saucey

The more energetic Phoebe playing with mom

Would have loved to have been here for this event!

One of the many Michigan wineries

Another wonderful view out to the vineyards

Next morning everyone was moving a bit faster, so M & D had a terrific brunch at the Palette Bistro before Jo & Don were kind enough to drop them off at Rite Aid, so they could get their Pertussis booster to protect their new granddaughter to be. After that dad, Jo and Don went to visit more vineyards while mom went to Sarah Lange for an accupuncture appointment, so they were all happy! M & D returned to the boat while Jo & Don took their dogs to the beach. They returned to have a glass of wine with M & D on the boat before they all went out to dinner, followed by sunset on the docks with all of us dogs in attendance…

What a wonderful time with friends…moments to cherish for sure! 

The better of two photos at Palette Bistro...fantastic restaurant too!

Part of the festival on the waterfront by us

Loved this food truck but really, who needs to ruin Oreo's by frying them?

Loved the contrast between this gorgeous, modern waterfront and the old downtown

One of the fun activities here promoting a Camp close by

Dad and mom decided that given the weather forecast, they were changing their plans and staying here for two more days at least…winds can be awful up here on Lake Michigan and there is no point in taking the chance! I hate that severe rocking and rolling with things flying around no matter how well you think you have everything secured. 

We couldn’t be stuck in a better place. All of us have really enjoyed Petoskey, MI. We are especially fortunate to be here for their Festival on the Bay!  (The original name of Petoskey was Bedosagay, or “where the lights shines through the clouds.” It’s why Petoskey is known as the Land of the Million Dollar sunsets and it certainly hasn’t disappointed us! We haven’t even had to get off the boat to be able to enjoy the various Festival musical groups & sunsets!!! The town is filled with darling boutiques, shops, art galleries and a fantastic variety of restaurants and cafes. What mom loves is that they have really preserved their old buildings and have repurposed many of them, making it aesthetically charming as well!

Just one of the smaller musical group presentations...fun!

The long range weather forecast is making M & D rethink our entire Michigan schedule…best laid plans??? For us to visit Menominee it looks like we may be renting a car & taking the car ferry over and back, (if we can get the ferry?) M & D talked to Jan and North this AM and that is fine with them…thank goodness for friends who don’t mind us staying for a couple of days with me included! Dad is hoping to do a one day sailboat race with Bill Walsh and his crew out of Macatawa around Sept. 8th, so we are trying to factor that into the schedule too!

Mom & dad have been in touch with Jo and Don as they drive back to Cincinnati. We miss them already! M & D had an incredible breakfast at American Spoon cafe, walked through the Uptown Art Festival and returned to me before the storms are due to start… We are all sitting here enjoying the music and the day before we have to button everything down and go into the salon until the storms pass over…

A really superb cafe and food store next door. 

Honey & ricotta pancakes with fresh blueberry sauce, lemon zest and orange shavings...divine!

Darling intimate uptown park that hosted the Art Festival

                                        Never know where you will find a Civil War Canyon?

This wonderful 1935 hardware store that has evolved through 3 generations so far...

Jo sent me these wonderful photos of one of the charming stone churches up here...

The rain has forced us inside but we are all enjoying the Olympics including the USA Women's Team playing Spain...