Saturday - July 25

 We walked to The Coffee Factory (15-minutes).     The old Shaw.Walker furniture company from the 1800s (closed in 1989) is being converted into luxury condos after sitting empty all these years.   What a massive project - some of the windows were installed this week.    The Coffee Factory is in part of what has been renovated so far....it is in such an out-of-the way spot, but very popular and with many signs pointing to where it's at, coffee lovers are having no trouble finding this funky gem.

Back to Catrina and as I'm climbing up the steps, I noticed one of our cushions on the bridge was gone!!!    WHAT????    Where could it be and how did it become unsnapped and fly  out of the upper station.   It was good size, too. That's a first in the 18 years we've had power Catrina.   YIKES!    Mark mentioned to some guys on the dock asking if they had seen a loose cushion?   Nope....

We needed fuel and a pumpout, so undid all the lines and drove a short distance to the fuel dock only to be told their pumpout was out of order!    UGH............Nick apologized and suggested we go to Great Lakes Marina across Lake Muskegon.    So off we went - nice guys there took care of us and back across the lake to Adelaide Pointe.    After getting all the lines secure, power cords and hose hooked up, we each went in a direction to look for our lost cushion.     St. Anthony was obviously looking out for us, cause there it was on the dock leaning against a dockbox thanks to some good samaritan who found and brought to the fuel dock!    Thank you.....it needed a good scrubbing but nothing soap/water and a little elbow grease won't clean!     

Nick is one of the dockhands and been so nice since we arrived last week and now was the "keeper of the cushion."    We knew it would float but with these strong winds, could've been across Lake Michigan!!!  When Mark carried it back to Catrina, the folks cheered that lost cushion was found!!!     End of story - AMEN!

Lunch and a quiet afternoon.    We did check the calendar out for September and October  when we're in IL, NC and FL and set some things up, including our reservation at Kamp Komfort.

Walked late afternoon - no weddings this weekend here at the marina, but a reception at the event center - lots and lots of pretty long dresses for the guests.

Along our walk came across lots of these pretty blooms with red center?    

Friday - July 24

 It's so nice to wake up to clear skies these past few mornings after all the smoke in the air.

Some of you have asked how my head is doing - much better and doing my vestibular exercises faithfully,  I'm still "off" a little when I get up, but then head clears and I have a good day - just gotta watch the balance.    

Mark took the car back to Enterprise and then our CT friend Linda brought him back to the marina.    

We had lunch and Mark hosed down the boat - while we were gone a few days, the bugs came out to play!!!😠

Philip shared his big news this afternoon - he'll be flying for Fed Ex.....so happy for him.    As he said many years ago "I can't believe they pay me for doing something I love so much"!   Congratulations!!!

We walked downtown (1.2 miles) and had drinks and an appetizer at Carlisles (recommended by friend Linda).   All good and then walked 2 more blocks to Hackley Park where they have concerts every Friday night - big crowd, lots of food trucks, etc.    We stayed for a few songs and then walked back to Catrina.

Beautiful old train depot that is now the visitor's center here in Muskegon

Have a fun, safe weekend!

Tuesday-Thursday - July 21-23

 Tuesday - we had the car loaded with our stuff and ready to leave Catrina and Muskegon by 8:15.   It was crazy windy and to continue thru tomorrow.  We drove to Pentwater and had coffees and shared a cinnamon roll at Green Isaac's Coffee and Tea (no idea where these names come from?)    I walked around the downtown - this little town only has a population of 890 regular residents, but swells big time in the summer.    I was impressed with the nice variety of shops.   And then, off to Ludington.

We drove around the marina and also where the Badger is docked (makes daily runs from Ludington to Manitowoc for cars/people.)    With the strong winds, 2 of the trips were canceled as Lake Michigan was expecting up to 14' waves.....oh my!    

The Badger

We didn't stop here but sure admired the red/white/blue petunias that lined many streets - they could give some competition to Dixon, IL (Mark's hometown and the "Petunia Capital of the World".)  Beautiful!!!

Beautiful petunias

Back on the road with next stop Traverse City.   We had gotten alerts on our phones about rain starting....we each went our own way with lots of shops and people.    Found a nice bookstore and Mark came in.    He got a coffee and we decided to head back to the car.   It started to sprinkle, so we picked up the pace and the rain came harder....we were 2 very wet ducks by the time we got to the car.    Nothing worse than wearing wet denim!    The rain came fast and furious and the wind and cold - ugh!    It had been so nice this morning....

We drove onto Charlevoix, (memories of being here on sail Catrina 20 years ago in August.   Our friends, Paul, Kathy, Barb and Roger came for a few days.   I had a nasty kidney stone episode and ended up in the hospital....all rooms have a view of the lake, but I was feeling miserable.    So, this year it was not fun walking around....chilly (low 60's) and very windy.   We walked on the main street up and back and said that was enough - lousy weather to be out in (even for a die-hard shopper)! 😊

Last stop of the day was Gaylord, MI (our base for the next 2 nights 1 hour away).    Checked into our hotel and then had dinner at Timothy's Pub.   What's with this chilly weather on July 22nd???    Slept well...

Wednesday - the sun was back and ready to take on the day.   We had breakfast at "Rise 'n Dine" downtown Gaylord

Rise 'n Dine (cute colorful coffee cups outside)

  and then left for Petoskey.    We remember these towns somewhat from 20 years ago by boat and in 2011 by car, but lots of new condos, more shopping, etc.    It was still chilly and I bundled up and walked the streets in the historic district.   Mark sat in the car with his I-pad.

And then, off to Harbor Springs - lots of $$$ in this beautiful town.   Slowly warming up and more people out and about.    The Farmer's Market was right there, too, with a nice variety of vendors.  Met up with Mark who got a chocolate shake at Yummies and I got a latte at White Birch Coffee.    

Our Port Clinton friends (Dennis and boat sister Teri) are spending 2 weeks at their Presque Isle cabin.    We visited them last year with Catrina - such a quaint neat place.    So, really good to see them and catch up.   They are on Lake Huron which was pretty wild yesterday and several sailboats were returning from the Port Huron/Mackinac Island race.    So fun to be with Dennis and Teri and then a good dinner at Woody's, the only restaurant in Presque Isle.    We said our good byes and will see them back in Port Clinton later in August.    Teri is having her first knee replacement on the 17th.   She's hurting so much.

Mark and I headed back to Gaylord (1.5 hours).   Long day but enjoyed it all and the highlight was being with Dennis and Teri.

Teri and Pat

Teri and Dennis

and blueberry vodkas

Thursday - more sunshine, less wind - yeah!!!    We checked out of the hotel, stopped at Brennan's for coffee and bagels and "on the road" again.     3-hour trip to Muskegon and since we brought our laundry with us when we left Tuesday, went straight to the laundromat and got that job done - 2 loads.    Tomorrow we'll be turning in our rental car.    Then to Catrina and unloaded all our stuff and clean clothes.   Had lunch, put some things away and then off for my mani/pedi at Cindy's Nails and Spa.    While I was getting pampered, Mark went to Wal-Mart for some groceries and 2 Rx and a treat at Cold Stone Creamery. We stopped for gas, ice and on home.   Ready to just chill and of course, naptime!

Went for a walk after supper - there's a big fishing tournament here at Adelaide Pointe this weekend.   It started today and there are lots of fishermen and women here.    They can have up to 9 poles and catch 15 (keep best 5).    They leave at 6 AM and must be in by 1:30 PM.

Tuesday - July 21

 Hello from Gaylord, MI.    No blog update tonight.    I will catch up on Thursday when we return to Muskegon.

Monday - July 20

 MAEVE is TEN 

10   10   10  10   10

Happy Birthday, Maeve

Sweet Maeve hit the double digits today - our little moppet and the baby of the family is not a baby anymore. She's a crafty one who keeps busy with friends, doing her girlie activities, loves mani-pedis's, all things "pink", her cat, Carlos and will soon be a big 5th grader.   Wish we weren't so far away to do some fun Grandma/Maeve stuff.

Not only are we thinking of Maeve today, it's also the birthday of  Mark's sister, Karen (Auntie), my good friend Allie and our neighbor for many years, Angie (who died in 2009).

After I got up and my head was more stable, we did the exercises (Mark is THEE best once again as my nurse, caregiver and exercise driller) and then off to another coffee shop (there are 11 in Muskegon)!!!

Today we went to Aldea - nice decor in a new building but made to look old with brick walls, tin ceiling, etc.    But disappointed that they only had blueberry muffins and cookies for food;  the muffin was very good, but no microwave to warm up!    We remember only one other place (Crafted in Bloomington) that does not have a microwave and Mark and I can't figure out what it would take to add a small microwave to heat up the food and make their customers "happy"!   It's the little things.....

Then we drove all around Muskegon checking out various things including our friends Leon and Helen's home.    We were there a few times several years ago - it is now on the market.   Helen passed away November 5, 2024 and Leon is in ICU very ill.    Yesterday, Mark had a long chat with their boys (Ian and Andy).    We have so many happy memories of boating times with them....

Leon and Helen graduated from Catholic Central here in Muskegon - we have Central Catholic in Bloomington.

Back to Catrina at 11:45 - lunch and then our obligatory naps.  😀

It's really hazy again today but can't smell the smoke.

Tonight our friend from CT who was born and raised in Muskegon picked us up at the marina and took us on a very enjoyable tour of her hometown of which she's so proud.    We had dinner at BoDocks - great food and nice place on Muskegon Lake.    Then we drove around some more, into North Muskegon where she lives and back home!    FUN outing! 

I play euchre and canasta with Linda. 

Mark, Linda, Pat

Did facetime with the birthday girl when we got home.

Mark and I are taking a little road trip tomorrow and visit some of our favorite Lake Michigan ports we haven't been to in many years.   He's getting antsy to go somewhere + get me off the boat!    😉