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...
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
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.
|
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.
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…
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.
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…
It was our best weather window for about a week.
We loved Ludington and would recommend it to other loopers…
No comments:
Post a Comment