Thursday, June 23

Hello from Charlevoix, MI.....we traveled 10 hrs. 15 min (138 miles) in fog and off and on rain.  From the time we left our anchorage and got out on the lake, it was baaad (sometimes thick as pea soup)!    Hate fog, but our trusty radar worked great.  We were cozy and comfy inside all day running from the lower station (few fisherman out there, but not much activity).    Had no special destination in mind and the lake was very calm the longer we traveled.    So, here we are in this charming little town that has always been a favorite port.   Many memories of being here 5 years ago with "Sail" Catrina.  Friends from home (Paul, Kathy, Barb and Roger) came for a visit and I ended up in the hospital with a kidney stone.    As Mark points out, "If you have to be in a hospital, this is the place to be as each room has a view of Lake Michigan".     I was not in any shape to enjoy the scenery, however!

Since we were here in 2006, the marina (Charlevoix City) is brand spanking new - it's beautiful with all new docks, boaters lounge, laundry, and a neat "fountain of youth" waterfall for children (wish our grandsons were here).   But this is not good weather for playing in the water  - 59 degrees and tomorrow, more rain and high of 60 with 25 mph winds!    Sounds like a shopping day to me!

We started the day leaving Pentwater at 7:15 and along the way, Mark tightened some hose clamps as fuel was leaking into the port engine.  He carries sooo many tools and I remember asking years ago "WHY do you need so many tools"?   We would go thru this same conversation year after year as we prepared for another boating season and his answer was always the same "You never know what I might need" and that has proved true so many times.   Today, he came thru with flying colors AGAIN.....yeah for Mr. Tool Man!
I read, did computer stuff and started organizing pictures from our family vacation at Lake James to make a photo book.

The marina is in the heart of town with a beautiful park separating the two.   Mark grilled burgers for supper and then we walked around downtown and stopped at Oleson's Grocery for garbage bags (something we forgot)   We reminisced about being here in 1991(TWENTY years ago) and had the most wonderful hot fudge croissants.   But that place is long gone.   The chilly damp weather and misty rain brought us back to the boat and we are hunkered down  for the night.     We are staying here till Saturday.   Tomorrow, I plan to shop and check out all the fun stuff this town has to offer and hopefully, no kidney stones this go-round!

Exciting photos of today's scenery as we cruised along....

View looking to the bow

View from starboard side

View from port side

View from stern

FOG, FOG and more FOG

and then tah dah....

The drawbridge opening for us to enter Round Lake in Charlevoix