August 30

We left for Bishop International Airport in Flint at 8 AM for Philip and Annette to catch their flight back to Florida! What a FUN, busy week we had!!!! Philip and Annette leaving Catrina and the dock...

After leaving P & A in Flint, we drove to Bay City to get Daisy and will transfer our stuff from Catrina to Daisy over the next few days! We went to 4:00 Mass at Holy Family and ate supper on Catrina. East Tawas is a happening place this weekend with big arts & crafts fair going on, and packed streets, beach, docks, and spectacular weather. The marina is offering boat rides aboard the tall ship "Appledore" and also airboat rides. It's the last "HURRAH" of summer!

August 29

Rainy morning....Annette fixed another great breakfast and we had a leisurely day on Catrina playing dominoes and visiting. Went to WalMart, had an afternoon drink at The Bikini Bar & Grill near the marina and grilled out chicken/brats for dinner. The weather has been sooo pretty and fall-like!

August 28

After a restful night at the Drummond Island Hotel (9 rooms total), we took the 8:00 ferry back to Detour Village and stopped in Cedarville at Pammi's for breakfast (BEST breakfast menu we've ever seen with many unique items). Drove onto St. Ignace. Boarded Shepler's Ferry to take us to Mackinac Island, with an extra little jaunt under the 5-mile long Mackinac bridge including a history lesson. We are always fascinated by this awesome structure (an architectural marvel of the 20th century).

Mackinac Island Bridge between St. Ignace & Mackinaw City. We had the pleasant surprise of the lady in front of us paying for our toll as we went thru the booth!Lots of horses on Mackinac Island and fudge
The Grand Hotel
Wonderful lunch at The Carriage House outside of the Iroquois Hotel

August 27

We left East Tawas and had 3 1/2 hour car trip to Drummond Island! Wanted to share this beautiful north country with AnnetteThis is ferry to cross from Detour Village to Drummond IslandTaking a break from all the shopping outside the Northhaven.

We enjoyed dinner at Northwoods (fabulous horseradish burgers)!!!!

Visited friends, Fred and Carol at their beautiful new home on the island and enjoyed a glass of wine, pretty sunset and catching up on the dock!

August 27-28

A few more memorable photos of Drummond and Mackinac Islands... Annette and Philip at sunset on Drummond Island

On the walkway to The Carriage House lined with gorgeous flowers and as you can see, I did my part in helping the Mackinac Island economy (Drummond Island's, too)
One of the many lovely inns on Mackinac Island - "The Metiver Inn"
Beautiful gardens at The Grand Hotel First time to see orange geraniums - gorgeous blooms!

Entrance to The Mission Point Inn at Mackinac Island

August 26

Annette treated us to delicious omelets and Bloody Mary's....she and Philip hiked to the Lighthouse at Tawas Point (4 miles) and Mark and I rode bikes on the very pretty bike trail in Tawas City.

The hikers after their walk. Mark and I picked them up and we drove to Oscoda (12 miles north).

Mulligan's in East Tawas is one of our favorite restaurants - GREAT food and sampled the Fried Pickles & Pickle Soup along with thee best Ruebens and margaritas!

August 25

Monday morning we all went to the Whitetail Cafe for breakfast and then, Philip, Annette and I went grocery shopping. Tawas City friends, Jim and Kathe came aboard for great sail followed by dinner at "G's".

Annette, Philip, Kathe and Jim on the railroad tracks in front of "G's"Pizza Loved this pizza, especially the parmesan cheese crust!
Cheers from "G's".....after the pizza, Philip, Annette, Mark and I had ice cream at Marion's next door followed by dominoes on Catrina!

August 24

It's Sunday and after 8:00 Mass at Holy Family and breakfast at The Whitetail Cafe, we rode our bikes to the Tawas Point State Park Lighthouse (8-mile round trip) and then walked to the top with spectacular views of Saginaw Bay on a picture-perfect day.The Lighthouse at Tawas State ParkBeautiful field of sunflowers along the highway Spectacular sky....."red sky at night...sailor's delight" Picked Philip and Annette up at the MBS Airport outside Bay City! Great to have our FL son and "daughter" with us for the week with lots of fun planned!

August 23

We left East Tawas at 6:30 AM in rental car and drove to Port Clinton, OH to pick up my car (600+ miles round-trip). dropping off rental at Toledo airport.

Had lunch here at The Coffee Express in Port Clinton (one of our favorite coffee cafes and lunch spots). It was hot and sunny (93) but 7 miles from Tawas City, the heavens opened up big time, so....decided to stop at Mulligan's in East Tawas (3rd visit) for another great meal before going back to Catrina. After the rain stopped, we went for a walk on a beautiful evening with lots of folks out and about walking the docks and enjoying the "Blues by the Bay" concert.

August 22

We rode with Tom and Debbie today in their truck camper to Bay City. Took a bunch of stuff off Catrina and transferred to Daisy making room for Philip and Annette's arrival Sunday.Saying good-bye to new friends, Tom and Debbie
Spectacular field of sunflowers along the Michigan highway
There's a kite shop close to the East Tawas marina and some guys were flying these awesome kites! Had delish pizza at "G's" and then went for a walk. The 7th annual "Blues by the Bay" music fest started tonight thru Sunday - lots of entertainment, food, beer and folks having fun right here beside the marina.

August 21

Beautiful day in East Tawas. Rode our bikes to "The Coffee Blend" and then spent a delightful afternoon with new friends, Tom and Debbie. Enjoyed a short sail and good visit followed by delicious dinner at Mulligan's Pub

August 20

Enjoyed a fun day in East Tawas with perfect weather, good shopping and a bit of pampering for me at "The Best Little Hair House in Tawas" (love that name) for a manicure/pedicure! This town has it all!!!Entrance to the East Tawas State Dock Marina
Had a great visit and dinner with Jim and Kathe who live here now, but long-time boating friends from back home!

August 19

Left Harrisville at 12:30 and arrived in East Tawas around 5:00 - motor sailed the 32 miles with following seas. Nice town of around 2,000 and had good dinner at Mulligan's Irish Pub. We are wearing jeans and sweatshirts tonight with predicted low of 47! Settling in for rest of the week and tomorrow, we'll check it all out!

August 18

Summer returned today with hot, sunny, windy conditions. We washed Catrina, did some laundry, rode our bikes thru the very nice Harrisville State Park and I checked out the shops. Tonight, storms are rolling thru with high winds - Catrina is rockin' & rollin' here at the marina and the temperature has dropped 20 degrees! Harrisville, Michigan harbor

August 17

Sunday evening greetings from Harrisville, Michigan. Nice little town of 500+ that has all the pre-requisites a boater needs........biking/walking path, laundry, coffee cafe, ice cream parlor, gift shops, good places to eat and nice weather!!! Had a wonderful dinner at "The Old Place Inn built in the 1870's.

August 16

We motor sailed 50 miles from Port Sanilac with 1-3' seas leaving at 6:09 AM and arriving in Port Austin (top of Michigan's thumb) at 2:00. Got settled in, rode our bikes to St. Michael's for 4:00 Mass and enjoyed delicious perch dinners at The Sportsman's Club. Weather continues to be just perfect! Walked along the breakwall and then settled in with our books and Sudoku on our laptops! Bummer....Cubbies lost, but having a great year!!!

August 14-15

Enjoyed a nice 10-mile trip to Port Sanilac, Michigan (600+). After lunch at The Stone Lodge, we checked out the town, did laundry and walked along the breakwall. The weather has been wonderful and feels like fall! Enjoyed our 2 days in Lexington getting haircuts and going for long bike rides! Ate dinner Thursday night at Smackwater Jacks

August 12-13

Welcoming us to Port Huron, MI - all the flags at "Vantage Point"Spent Tuesday night at the Riverside Marina and walked downtown.

Met Joan and Larry (friends and former neighbors who moved to Port Huron after retirement) for breakfast at Cavis on Wednesday. Great catching up with them! We then motored 22 miles to Lexington - great little town of really cute shops! Topped off the day by sharing a sinfully fabulous hot fudge cream puff!!!

August 11

We sailed 6 miles on Lake St. Clair and then motored up the St. Clair River 16 miles to Algonac. This town of 4,600 has the distinction of having their high school named as one of the best in the country by US News & World Report.

August 10

St. Clair Shores, MI - home of the "Nautical Mile" - rode our bikes to 9:00 Mass at St. Lucy's and then onto Kroger's to finish stocking Catrina's galley. Sign along very busy Jefferson Avenue

Mark's cousin, Rita came for a visit/sail and since it was raining, we toured the Ford Edsel home in Grosse Point (here we are in the rose garden) - very enjoyable!
After a short sail, the "cousins" enjoying a drink, catching up, and then off to Andiamo's for wonderful Italian dinner! Had sooo much fun with Rita!!!

August 8-9

We enjoyed 2 long bike rides today (14 miles total) on some great trails around Windsor. Such a perfect sunny day to be out and about along the water, thru parks, passing by old and new neighborhoods and out in the country! Left Windsor Saturday morning and motored 10 miles to St. Clair Shores, MI. This is the very ritzy Grosse Point Yacht Club.
And from a distance..."The Nautical Mile" along St. Clair Shores - one mile of marina after marina - we are staying at Michigan Harbor.
After arriving here, we gave Catrina a good scrubbing, rode our bikes for groceries and then the rain/storms came off and on this afternoon/evening. When we were coming back from dinner at "Waves", we saw a "double" rainbow (2nd one doesn't show up very well here)! Neat!

August 7

Hello from Windsor, Ontario. Had a good trip up the Detroit River today (3 hrs. 46 minutes). Since we were going against the current, Catrina only averaged 5.5 knots. We are at the Lakeview Park Marina and after biking around this afternoon, are impressed with all the beautiful parks and nice residential areas nearby. One of the many freighters we passed along the way
Skyline of Windsor

Enjoyed dinner tonight at the marina restaurant "Lilly Kazzilly's - cute name and good food!

August 6

We left Lake Erie today and now cruising the Detroit River - staying on Bob-Lo Island which is west of Amherstburg, Ontario tonight. This island is 2.5 miles long and 0.5 miles wide (272 acres). It is the former home of the Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park founded in 1898 and closing in 1993. We took our bikes and rode the ferry (1 mile) to Amherstburg having a good lunch at Duffy's Tavern, biking around this charming town and then an ice cream treat.Beautiful park (King's Navy Yard) along the water with brick pathway and all those gorgeous Canadian flowers!
Some of the many flower beds throughout the park. Amherstburg is the rhodoedenron capital of southwest Ontario
The island is currently being developed as Bob-Lo Island Marina and Resort Community. They want to become the next "Nantucket" or "Martha's Vineyard". These are just a few of the multi-million dollar homes on Bob-Lo Island. Enjoyed biking around the island and great dinner at The Beachfront Restaurant

August 5

We are about 3 miles from downtown Toledo at the Harrison Marina - not much around here. It's hot & humid, so enjoying some cool time on Catrina!

August 4

We are back on Put-In-Bay (3rd visit this summer) - the Key West of the Midwest!!!

We rented a golf cart and had fun touring the island. Came across these darling little girls (sisters and cousins) with their lemonade stand - ahhhh, nice refreshing treat!

This turtle sculpture was sitting amid pretty flowers in a garden setting outside a very upscale marine antique shop.

Our June 21st blog showed a picture of the tall Perry Memorial. We rode the elevator to top and had gorgeous views from 352' (3rd tallest monument in the National Park system). Catrina is down there (in the middle along inner wall). Lake Erie is the 2nd smallest of the Great Lakes surface wise and is the most shallow. However, fishing is the predominant industry as more fish are taken out of Lake Erie per year than all the other Great Lakes combined!!! And judging from all the fishermen we see every day, we believe it!!!

FYI, #2 in height for national monuments is the Washington Monument and #1.........The Arch in St. Louis.