Macatawa, the Anchorage Cup & Our Own Big Chill Weekend

Macatawa, MI                              Macatawa Bay Yacht Club                         9/7-10-1-2016

We got underway at daylight in between shower bursts… As predicted, the further south we went the sun peaked out and the showers lessened…We decided to run 9+ knots since we had app. 72 nautical miles to go…

It was so surreal not having Lily to take care of and under our feet as we took off…It didn’t start off too badly until we got close to little Sable Lighthouse and then the chop and wind picked up with 3-5' waves cresting to 7’, Pearl Two decided to quit and headed into Pentwater while we continued on…The lake would smooth out for awhile, then, build up again…through the rain and mist we could still see more dunes along the shoreline. 

By the time we reached Macatawa the rain had started up again…making it hard for Mike to see from up on the flybridge… God Love, Bill Walsh, Mike’s sailboat friend and the captain of Whitecap. He hailed Joe, Macatawa's Bay Yacht Club DockMaster, so he and Bill helped us dock with the winds blowing and rain pouring…We were all soaked! After getting us tied up, Bill went back to his house to dry off…returning for us at 6 for dinner at his house with Chef Barbara cooking. YUM! 

Within a half an hour of docking the sun came out and it’s beautiful here. The Walsh’s gave us enough time that Captain Mike could grab a quick nap & shower…Can’t beat friends like that who understand the stress of long hours boating!!!

Macatawa Bay Yacht Club

Love the new upper deck they put on with the remodel!

They had two separate boat races going on, the ladies and the model boats...fun!!! 

It was so good to see Barbara and Bill again, not to mention having a wonderful homemade meal courtesy of Barbara!!! Delicious!!! After our rocking & rolling yesterday both Mike and I were still rocking even at their house…it’s a really funny feeling!!!

Enjoying an after dinner drink and watching the sunset from the upper deck

Sunset our first night here

Think she is called Big Red, at the entrance to Macatawa Bay

Her sister lighthouse

This morning Bill was nice enough to deliver all our goodies & mail, then come back to get Mike to make a Costco run. I couldn’t go with them since I was still taking apart our tiny refrigerator and cleaning it section by section…(There was a distinct, unpleasant smell emanating from it…UGH!) I spent at least a half an hour in yoga positions that I didn’t think I was capable of executing using my favorite instrument, a Q-Tip or in this case, loads of them…trying to clean out a drain hole…Barbara W suggested that I take a small amount of clorox & hot water and pour down the drain hole after it’s though Q-Tip clean out.That’s helped a lot! We are terrified that if we can get the refrigerator pulled out to clean around the back of it, we might not get it back in again…YIKES! Our instinct tells us there is mold in back of the refrigerator…

AH, YES…the joys of owning a boats come in all sizes, shapes & dilemmas!!!  

Added our new mattress pad topper to our bed, so I will be able to try it out tonight while Mike is on Whitecap. Can't wait!!!

Thanks to Barbara, I was able to get a pedicure & manicure today…BLISS! Doing it yourself is just not as wonderful! Since Mike was with the rest of the crew, delivering Whitecap to Grand Haven, I had a relaxing afternoon to myself. Barbara picked me up later and we caught up with them all in Grand Haven. Another darling town! Barb & I took about 45 minutes for a quick shopping spree before joining them at Portobello’s for dinner with the crew. It was a delightful meal with an excellent duo playing songs we all loved…It was hard to leave, but Barbara and I needed to get back and the crew needed their sleep.

Today dawned overcast and mild, but with good winds predicted for later…sadly along with those good winds come some possible storms. Barbara and I made it to the Farmer’s Market and did some other shopping before she delivered me back to the boat to await Whitecap’s return. 
As I’m writing this blog, Moondance is rolling at the dock and there are whitecaps in the bay. Meaning that the race teams are all getting a bit more than they bargained for…
Hopefully, they will start coming in anytime now…

When I see boats returning like this, I'm really starting to get worried

I went up on the flybridge to watch for Whitecaps return…it was still sprinkling and the winds definitely weren’t settling down. As I watched I got more and more nervous, as I saw boat after boat coming in with damaged sails or their sails already down and they were motoring in…not a good sign either! Finally, I saw her & realized her mainsail was shredded and her jeanty or fore sail wasn’t swinging normally either. OMGosh! 

winds-waves-batter-boats-dangerous-conditions-in-effect

Todd is hanging out in front since he is Mr. Agile

Bill, Whitecap's captain is bringing them home

Whitecap returns but with one sail off her line and the other sail blown out...YIKES!

Trying to get the sails down and off the boat to dry out...Mike is trying to pull the boat in

Carting off the torn sail which will have to be replaced

Bill with the Whitecap crew getting it secured and cleaned up

Despite the lightweight material, those foresails are heavy and awkward 

Drying out Mike's rain gear on our Flybridge

One boat lost all their rigging and when it came down two people got hurt with one sent to the hospital…Thankfully, no serious long term damage to the people…

Marcy Lubbers Beyer shared these photos from Encore the boat her son was on during the Anchorage Cup race...Look at the one boat missing all its rigging...Incredible!

Bob Johnson added 2 new photos.

Yesterday at 9:39am · 

The Anchorage Cup Race this weekend carried some of the most demanding weather I have seen on Lake Michigan in 42 years of sailing.. our youth crew was SUPERB!!! I had my doubts we could make the Harbor mouth successfully, but, did so.. all crew safe!!!

We only tore one panel in an old #3... the humbling aspect is a very successful Hunter 45 that jibed after crossing the finish and lost her rig... mainsail, roller furling, boom, and mast.. no one hurt thankfully...

Our crew was superb and now they have their first "bar story"..... just have to wait 5 - 8 years to tell them.. in a bar..

Mike said he's not sure he'll race again on another sailboat...

(I’m thinking it’s like women after delivery, that memory changes over time… :-)

Barbara and Bill at the Anchorage Cup Affair after the Race

We had fun at the Anchorage Cup party after the race…wonderful buffet dinner and a terrific cover band! Loved spending time with Bill & Barbara and Todd, Marcy & Zach Beyer. Todd and Marcy were part of the crew and their 8th grader son, Zach was on the Sea Scouts boat Encore having a ball despite the awful weather!!!  AWW…YOUTH!

They stopped in to see our boat the next morning with their other two darling young men, Quentin and Keegan.

So some of the FL Harbor Tower gang is all here, we are calling it the Big Chill Weekend. Bernie and Mary Gerlach, who live across the state and Rosemary and Dan Haemmerle who live in Springfield, OH. arrived. They are part of our FL family of stupendous neighbors and friends!!! Had a fantastic time! First for a drink at the Walsh’s beautiful Macatawa Bay Yacht Club. (Thanks to Bill we are docked there for the next 3 weeks.)

Enjoying the view over the Bay

Here is the Big Chill Crew: Mary, Rosemary, Me, Barbara, Dan, Bill, Mike and Bernie

Then, off to the Walsh’s house with drinks & fabulous appetizers, courtesy of Bernie and Mary including Mary’s fantastic fresh garlic bread. Followed by an incredible melt in your mouth steak dinner with veggies, mushrooms and salad. As if that wasn’t enough, a fresh baked homemade cherry pie. YUMMY!!!

The guys helping Bill cook the steaks while solving the world's issues

Barbara was the Hostess with the Mostest and had it all organized and ready to go!

The women all tried to help with some prep and clean up including hilarious shared remembrances from our very own stand up comedian, Rosemary. What a fun night!!!

Another fun day with the women taking off for a bit of shopping therapy in downtown Holland, while the men enjoyed a boat ride on Lake Macatawa…followed by lunch at Phil’s in Saugatauk. Delicious!

Lunch at Phil's

Did I mention we did a bit more shopping after lunch???

We can all tell we are older…as we bid farewell to Rosemary and Dan, :-(… the rest of us were happy to go back to nap before dinner. ZZZZZ…

We had more of Mary’s yummy appetizers and Bill and Barbara’s drinks before heading out to the Boatwerks for dinner by the lake…

This kind of moments with friends are what wonderful memories are all about!

What a perfect ending to a wonderful day with friends…We even heard from Rosemarie and Dan that they had safely made it home, but not before stopping at Mary’s Chocolates in West Liberty on their way…

(They brought Barbara and Bill some and we all got to sample…incredible good!!!)

After seeing Mary and Bernie off and mailing a package out to our son and his wife, we got ready to meet more of our Burnt Store friends for lunch. Judy and Larry Livingston, who bought our other condo in HT II and Anne and Pat Mc Colgan, one of my dragon boat sisters and the Livingston's buddies.

Mike, Larry & Judy and Pat & Anne onboard Moondance

Mike, Larry, Pat, Anne, Me and Judy

One of the former Chris Craft Factories...love those boats but don't want to own one...Way too Much Work!

We are feeling so humble that once again people have driven so far to come see us…

Catching up with friends along the way has truly been one of the highlights for us…I can’t say that enough!!! We went back to Boatwerks for lunch. Love that place!!! For Judy and Larry it was close to Hope College where their granddaughter started this year. Perfect! 
So fun to catch up on FL news and what was going in their lives too…We are all looking forward to our times in FL later this year...

Mike and I are getting excited about leaving this Thursday for Colorado for the Bun's wedding this weekend. From there we will fly to San Diego to see our kids and their new daughter and our first grandchild, Ella...
We have to say we have loved our grand dogs, Cali Bear and Houdini, but having a grandchild is beyond exciting!!! 

Look out Ella...Nonni and PaPa will be there soon!!! 

Leaving Ludington, MI While We Can...

Ludington, MI         Municipal Marina             8/28-9/7-2018

Having bored every new looper with our soon to be grandparents story, Miss Elise Charlotte Sage, 7.14 oz and 20," came along on August 27th. Everyone is already calling her Ella or ElleBelle...Here's our son, Mike the proud new dad holding her while they were still in the hospital...Mom Katie was a champ and made it through a rough labor without drugs, but with Mike's and her midwife's help and support...Way to go Katie!!! 
We are beyond thrilled, proud & happy that all are doing very well and adjusting to parenthood nicely!!! 
Fortunately, we have lots of time to decide what she calls us...but to keep all her grandparents separate in her mind, we all will have different names... :-) It's a new world...

After she arrived home

Our latest favorite photo of our sweet, darling ElleBelle...can't wait to hold her!!!

After another beautiful morning and a fair weather forecast we took off for Ludington…the trip started out with enough rocking and rolling that mom and I stayed downstairs for the first half. As the lake smoothed out, we joined dad on the flybridge. 

Seeing the miles and miles of dunes along the MI shoreline is truly a sight to behold! It just doesn’t seem like it should be here!!! Can’t wait for Bek, Milena and Houdini to see it up close and personal!

Coming into Ludington, MI

We can see the Ludington Water Tower as we enter Pere Marquette on the way to the Municipal Marina

We didn't see anyone jumping off this pier

Love when I can catch reflections in the water 

We saw this beautifully restored Chris Craft a number of times

Soon to be Ludington's Maritime Museum

Ludington Municipal Marina Entrance

Incredible Sculptures all along the Waterfront

We no sooner got tied up than dad went off to get our rental car for the next week. Mom started getting us packed to go to the Shetter’s B & B. Even though we have a car she was trying to keep our stuff contained. 

Couldn’t believe dad came back with a fancy, dancy, Chrysler Town and Country Minivan. It’s already driving mom nuts since everything is automatic…spooky to us since we haven’t had one that the doors must be opened by buttons…

After feeding me they took off for a Mexican dinner since they haven’t had one for months except for mom’s Mexican meals…mom was craving a Margarita. She certainly came back happy!!!

They got me and then met up with other loopers for docktails…out in the nice picnic area down by our docks. This marina is wonderful with lots of grassy areas filled with trees, picnic tables and benches, a really nicely laid out and furnished lounge, laundry and bathrooms. It’s always busy it seems… We went to bed early since we had to be in line at the ferry by 7:30 AM.

The Spartan, the sister ship to the SS Badger Car Ferry

Thankfully, it was another beautiful day here for our SS Badger, car ferry ride. We stopped at Cops & Doughnut Shop for coffee and a doughnut before going on the ferry. 

Mom walked me around and made sure I had food and water for the trip. I was stuck inside the van for the trip over, but I enjoyed the large van that I could roam. I was also happy they loaded our car last so I had more fresh air on the stern of the ferry; especially since mom left the windows cracked a lot. I moved around a bit going from seat to seat before finally taking a nap. Mom and dad said they enjoyed the cruise. There was lots to do but M & D read their books and checked out the views. 

Mike caught these shots of the SS Badger going out at night

Moondance Docked

Our view of Moondance onboard the SS Badger

Showing off the lifeboats onboard

We certainly didn’t expect Manitowoc to be quite as large as it is! Home of a Budweiser plant and a large maritime museum…We could see one of the Manitowoc WWII submarines at the museum, as we disembarked the ferry.

Coming into Manitowoc, WI

One of the WWII Manitowoc Submarines by the Maritime Museum 

the Manitowoc Courthouse

The drive to Jan and North’s was less than two hours. Everything was so green! We have never seen so many red barns and farms together at one time as we drove through WI to get to the UP. Mom loved seeing the quilts on the barns. She later learned that there was a Barn Quilt trail through Door County, WI. 

Even having seen photos of Jan and North’s place, it didn’t prepare us for it’s beauty…their landscaping, views, Mid-Century Modern house…it was captivating! I especially appreciated the big yard & Green Bay shores in which to run around! M & D loved having their own suite. WOW! It was the best B & B ever; especially, since J & N’s cooking is exquisite!!! YUMMY!!! They spoiled all of us rotten!!! Mom had trouble sleeping the first night without the rocking, but after than we slept until the sun came up over the bay…so magnificent!!!

                                     The Shetter's Home

Their backyard on Green Bay

         Their stream...look close... another water reflection

North referred to his house as the Box, I prefer Mid Century Modern

Enjoying the Shetter's back patio

The next morning it was fun opening all the boxes to see what we had ordered and sent to the Shetter’s…Kinda of like Christmas!!! Mainly replacements for items that were broken or needed replenishing. 

Breakfast at the Shetter's

After an incredible breakfast, we took off see Menominee and the general area complete with a Rotarian meeting/picnic lunch. Delightful!

                   Diane was a terrific speaker and I'm sure will be a wonderful district officer

The Park on the Menominee River right across from Menominee

Went inside this donated family home that slept 7 at one time...

Seeing the Navy literal ships in the Menominee boatyards

We couldn’t believe how lovely the weather was so we spent most of our time out of doors, catching up, walking around and of course dining…

Jan 

 North and Mike solving the world's issues

Some of their neighbor's charming yard sculptures

Lily and Jan walking on their shoreline

Including having cocktails with Carollyn and David Higley, one of mom’s Dragonboat sisters who’s home sits on the Menominee River…simple stunning!!!

David, Jan and Carollynn

We never made it past their kitchen island...

Sunset on the Menominee River from Carollynn and David's house

Some of my other fun stops around Menominee, Joe's Cheese House

I'm addicted to old stores particularly one's like these who have been in business for a long time

Shocking, but I walked out with some cheeses...if I had room in the frig., I would have bought the SEX OLIVES too...if for nothing but the bottle...

After a delicious Swedish pancakes with Lingonberries & ham breakfast at the famous Schloegel’s Bay Restaurant (they left me to sleep) and drove to Door County…driving through some of the places we had hoped to travel to by Moondance: Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, Sister Bay and Fish Creek. …Stopping at garden centers and tourist traps along the way including the incredible indoor/out Edgewood Art Gallery…it was like being at a stunning museum, but what mom appreciated, they had items priced in all price ranges. 

Edgewood Art Gallery

We stopped for lunch down by Fish Creek’s marina, at The Sunshine Cafe. Delicious!!! Taking time afterwards to walk around the marina. On the way home North took us to some beautiful overlooks and explained where we were on Green Bay. So beautiful!!! We were able to enjoy another wonderful dinner out on their patio overlooking Green Bay…Heaven!

Fish Creek Public Marina

An art gallery covered in graffiti

Yep, those are goats on top of this Swedish Restaurant & Gift Shop in Sister Bay

The Shetter B & B served another spectacular breakfast before leaving me napping while they went to the DeYoung Zoo. It was a down-home kind of zoo, with ugly fencing, but some animals that M & D had never seen at any zoo…Mongolian ponies, Scottish Highlander cows, Zorses (horse bred with a Zebra) and Zonkeys (donkey bred with Zebra). Many of the gentler breeds, we were able to pet or hold (a Joey, baby Kangaroo, dingo pups (named for the Carter family) and zebra colts). Buddy De Young has a passion for saving animals and his passion turned into this eclectic place that operates on a shoestring…with workers who love the animals as much as the owners do!!! Even though the place looks like a dump, it’s obvious that the animals are well treated and cared for…the younger big cats, hyenas and even panthers…Carrie, Buddy’s partner and Buddy were able to get into the cages to play with them

This is the White Bengal tiger who was in the Kahlua Liquor ad years ago

Yes, we could hold this Joey, as yet unnamed

Carrie demonstrating how to hold him

Yep, we got to pet these Zebras colts newly weaned

We packed a lot into our visit on that side of Green Bay and still didn’t cover half of it…leaving us plenty to see for our next visit there. 

We can’t begin to thank Shetter’s for their kind, generous hospitality including my new tennis ball! 

Our SS Badger ride home was delightful. Mom watched two movies while dad read.

Moondance was no worse from wear from our absence. We scrambled to get our things put away and make a pasta dinner for Bekka & Milena since they didn’t get onboard until almost 9 PM. 

We were all so happy to see them and Houdini. Fortunately, their campsite was only about 15 minutes from us, so it wasn’t a far drive after so much driving earlier… Haven't seen our girls since this past spring...too long!

We all went to Cafe 106 for brunch late the next morning…they were dog friendly, but I was happy to be left onboard. They were all so full that the girls and Houdini went to Silver Lake hiking while M & D caught up on laundry, boat stuff and grocery shopping. 

Bek's photo of the dunes at Silver Lake 

The lovely patio by the Boater's Lounge and Laundry

They had a terrific dinner at Blu Moon taking Houdini along while I napped. 

Playing with photographic filters..."Bourbon" since we were listening to New Orleans Jazz while waiting for our dinner...

By the time they got back it was late so the girls & H returned to their campsite. 

Fishing and a dingy ride around Pere Marquette (the lake by Ludington) was the order of the day…It was delightful; especially since they left me on the boat! Houdini did really well on the dingy outfitted in my lifesaving vest…According to mom, he seemed much happier about it than I have been!

Houdini can lay his head and sleep on anything as long as he is with his loved ones

Upon their return dad and Milena fished while mom started dinner, and Bek & Houdini went walking and photographing…it was lovely since I got to nap! 

Eventually, Bek and mom started their British Museum puzzle during cocktail hour with the others assisting when they had given up on fishing…nothing was biting!

It turned into one of those lovely relaxing evenings with our loved ones…

Absolutely we can eat over the top of our puzzle; especially since it was a beautiful evening to be up on the flybridge!

Had to use some extra light to finish, but we did it!

All too soon the long weekend was over…M & D packed up my meds & blanket and we had one last brunch together at Cafe 106 before seeing us off at the marina…

I gave mom permission to continue my blog while I’m gone…I couldn’t believe M & D let me go with the girls…I love them, but will miss M & D too…

 

Mike and I got the boat and food ready for our FL friends, Tom and Anita Heidt to visit us onboard later. 
It turned out the be their 57th Anniversary, this Labor Day…

Incredible, since they still look so youthful!! 

They brought us delicious corn on the cob, fresh tomatoes and peach pie from their farmer’s market…WOW!!! We are still enjoying the tomatoes, wine and pie...Thanks Bunches!!!

Anita, Morgan and Tom Heidt

Morgan reminded us so much of Lily when she was a pup...a four month old Springer Spaniel Sweetheart!

Mike and I had to wait out another day due to high winds on the Lake. 
It was a nice relaxing day…we enjoyed a walk uptown to photograph and have a late lunch at Barley and Rye followed by dock tails on Pearl Two, Mike and Bonnie’s boat along with John and Barbara. 

Another mural on the side of our favorite dog friendly breakfast and lunch, Cafe 106

Look closely and you will see a mural of the SS Badger on this building

    Ludington had a full range of delightful murals all over the town

                         Maude's Garage was a charming Mess...

                                      One of their funky items for sale

Mike and I saw this poster on the side of one of the restaurants

We had a wonderful lunch at Barley and Rye uptown

A view of Uptown Ludington away from the Marina and Beach areas

We all decided to shove off early the next morning knowing that we would be dealing with showers that would diminish the further south we went. 
It was our best weather window for about a week. 
We loved Ludington and would recommend it to other loopers…