Moving Down Michigan

Charlevoix City Marina, Charlevoix, MI 7/7/2019
Frankfort Municipal Marina, Frankfort, MI  7/8/2019

I don't know how many times we've said it, but it has been "one crazy trip!"  I remember back to when we were boating and the kids were younger, we had one weekend a summer on the boat where it was just the two of us.  We called it the "Kidless Weekend" and it was always on Tom's birthday weekend in June.  We'd spend it on the water jet skiing, boating or anchored on Lake Pepin with Mark and Julie Stevens.  We loved that time away just the two of us.  Little did we know we'd have a whole year of "togetherness" and time away.  If someone would have told us then that we'd be doing the Loop and boating together everyday, we wouldn't have believed them!

Leaving Sunday morning and passing under the Mackinac Bridge

Charlevoix Canal beacon

Charlevoix, MI
We decided that we are going to split up Lake Michigan and do upper Michigan then scoot across the lake and do the lower half of Wisconsin.  Charlevoix was on our list to visit and they just happen to have a slip open for us.  We had heard so many wonderful things about Charlevoix and they were all true.  What a great little boating town.  On one side of Charlevoix is Lake Michigan and on the other, Lake Charlevoix.  There are boats of every kind, every where.
Lake Michigan was good on Sunday as we headed down to Charlevoix.  It was a bit overcast out, but by the time we got in the Charlevoix canal, the sun was out.  It was also about the time the Emerald Isle car/people ferry was coming in to dock.  The Charlevoix harbor was full of weekend boaters trying to get through the bridge, which opens every 1/2 hour.  It was crazy for about 15 minutes dodging boats and trying to stay out of the ferry's way!
We got Bella slipped on to a T head, checked in at the office and then headed downtown.  We had a great time wandering around.  Lots of eateries, shops and bars.  We checked out the local brewery and had lunch at the Tap House.  I did a little shopping.  In the morning before we left I had to do an Earl Young home tour.  Earl Young built these very unique looking homes in Charlevoix.  The locals call them Mushroom homes.  They really do look somewhat like a mushroom. 
We both loved Charlevoix and it's summertime on the water vibe!  

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Above: Charlevoix Canal Below: Charlevoix Harbor

Earl Young "Mushroom" homes

Frankfort, MI

Glass like water traveling on Lake Michigan from Charlevoix to Frankfort. Just how I like it!

​We had a smooth cruise from Charlevoix to Frankfort.  The only wave action we had was from other boats heading north.  It’s just like back home, the week after the 4th of July, there are lots of boaters on the water on vacation.  We’ve been fortunate so far to have gotten slips at some really nice marinas on Michigans  coast. 

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A darling little farm on the way to Frankfort

The Sand Hills of Michigan

Frankfort felt like a sleepy little fishing town when we arrived at the municipal marina.  It didn't look like much was going on.  Cody, a young dock boy was a font of information.  We refueled and got a pumpout to get ready for our crossing over to Sturgeon Bay.  Our slip backed right up to the park and the Betsie Valley Trail.  After a little lunch, I hit the trail, while Tom did some Jimmy’s work with Sam.  Later we wandered downtown to find quite the little tourist mecca.  It was a lot like Charlevoix.  We did some browsing and then watched a glass blowing demonstration.  Dinner was at the Stormcloud Brewery.  Now this was my kinda place!  They had great brews and they had a popcorn menu!!!  They had about six different flavors of popcorn on the menu that you could order and have with your beer.  I was in heaven!!!  After dinner we stopped at The Scoop ice cream shop where they served Moomers ice cream, a Michigan treat.  Evidently, it’s been voted the best ice cream in America.  We concur 😉  Between the beer, ice cream and all the other indulgences, it's a good thing the loop is winding down because our waistlines need a break!

Flowers on the Betsie Valley Trail in Frankfort, MI

The grandson of the owner of Huff's Crystal Art creating a crystal pendant. This is also where they did the glass blowing demo. So cool!

If you know me, you know how much I LOVE popcorn. Loved that it was on the menu and they had different flavors. Tom had to drag me out of there ;)

Tom spied this old radio high up on a shelf at the brewery. He had the exact same one as a kid.

Last but not least, they had a little theater. We went inside and spoke with the owners. A husband and wife team. Always meeting some body interesting on the loop!

​We plan to head to Sturgeon Bay, WI tomorrow and then head down the Wisconsin coast of Lake Michigan.  We are hoping to connect with my nephew Peter and his wife Kelly and their new baby girl, Emmy, in Port Washington over the weekend.
More from “Sconny” later~

Another look at Lake Michigan. Let's hope it stays this flat for the rest of our travels down to Chicago!