Lake Michigan...unsalted...but miles and miles of sandy shore line. I'm impressed at how the towns have embraced it...well, for the couple of months it is warm. Did I mention that we have just now started using the air conditioner at night??? When we are out on the lake the temps drop rather rapidly. We usually need to wear long sleeves or a jacket until we enter the harbor. Things get noticeably warmer...is that because of the tension in docking? ( moments of sheer terror???) or because we are inland??? All I know is that these sandy beaches all look alike and even these quaint port towns are starting to look the same as well.

Snug Harbor in Pentwater couldn't have been more accommodating...slips were hard to find. We spent a comfortable night in their haul out well...walked the town...they all have ice cream!!! We've become quite the experts on temperature, creaminess, and flavors. Floyd found the cinnamon bun to be his favorite at this one. I couldn't resist the store called Bitchin' Kitchen...more interesting items we don't need. Oh, and the place was for sale...so I guess I could move here. NOT!!!!

Nice cruise to Pentwater today...Lake Michigan is smooth smooth smooth (I soooo appreciate THAT)...and fisherman everywhere. In fact, Floyd is using radar to keep track of them and the computer set on Polar Navy to keep track of us. Drove from the lower helm most of today because of the cooler temperature. (yes, Kansas is roasting and we aren't.) Pentwater is a busy place..when we got here at 1:30 the Municipal Marina was already turning folks away. Snug Harbor tucked us into their well...a spot usually reserved for boats needing to be hauled out. Guess no one wants out today. Marina boys were all about how people should call ahead...we were amazed!!!! Haven't needed to do that at all in the last 5 weeks...in fact, we are often the ONLY boat in the marina. Oh, well, guess as we get closer to Chicago we'd better start that habit again. We are headed to Muskegon tomorrow...we have reservations and are ready to celebrate some one's birthday...not mine!!!!

After arriving in Manistee we walked main street, had lunch with some Harley folks and then indulged Floyd's love of boats by touring the SS City of Milwaukee, railroad car carrier designed in the 1920's , and the US Coast Guard ACACIA. Yes, that's our dinghy parked between the two. The marina building here is brand new and the slips are empty empty empty...sure hope things pick up or there are gonna be some people hurtin' for certain.

We noticed signs in Frankfort this afternoon about a concert this evening in the park beside the marina...so we ventured over. What a blessing!!! Seems it was fund-raiser for a 15-year-old local girl, Zoe, who had just had a brain tumor removed. We got to meet her (what a sweetie...oh, and nice scar down her skull...Long hair hides it well, but she was showing it to anyone and everyone)... we had a cheap meal... great brats, home-made cookies, and mingle with some great local folks. Been a really pleasant experience...oh, and earlier we did a significant boost to the Frankfort economy...I'm sure you noticed the spike...we managed to find several of those little things that we've had on a list since mid-June...including new swimsuits for Floyd....whoo hoo....tomorrow it is a short 20 mile run to Manistee...

We started the afternoon with two other boats in the harbor...by nightfall there were six of us ...and two others came and went during the day....calm and peaceful...but weather for Tuesday wasn't looking so good. We decided that Floyd would make the call on going or staying when he got up....so, yes, he woke me at 6 and we scooted to Frankfort. Or should I say wallowed...strong winds, following seas...but way better than slamming and jamming in my opinion...we got here at 10:30 this morning....

The highlight of Saturday was the wedding...don't know where it happened or where they headed after...but they spent lots of time taking photos around the marina office. Interesting, Hey??? Oh, and the cute bird who posed for me....I'm telling you animals are the attraction on this trip. Sunday was suppose to be rainy and windy so we opted to stay put...and of course, that didn't happen. Monday dawned cloudy and rainy...cleared around 10...so we scooted over to South Manitou Island. I say scooted...but rocked, rolled and slammed would be more accurate. It truly was the roughest water we've been on this entire trip. Ever so grateful to arrive in that little crescent shaped harbor...anchor held on first try...we celebrated...