Day 73, 74, & 75 September 1-3, 2022

Day 73 Thursday September 1, 2022

Leland Township Harbor to Frankfort MI

September ALREADY!!

We have been waiting patiently for a weather window and it is finally here.  We left Leland at 6:30am, just barely getting light.  Our neighbor boat, War Eagle, left an hour earlier in pitch dark with hopes of making it all the way to Ludington MI.  As it was we were planning 5 hours travel; Ludington would be at least 10 hours.

 Daybreak in progress.

 

Can you see the boats ahead of us?

Ten boats made the mass exodus from Leland; there is safety in numbers.  We had a good travel day with waves at 1-2 feet from the south -- the direction we were traveling.  Our next opportunity to travel would probably be on Saturday.  We were ready to move on. 

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore between Leland and Frankfort

  

 Point Betsie Lighthouse

Day remained sunny but winds did start to build by afternoon, as predicted.  We arrived at around 11:30 and once settled went to explore the town.  Main street is right next to the marina with several parks, numerous shops and restaurants and a bakery.  We checked out the True Value hardware (the 1st of 3 visits) and scoped out the 3 ice cream options.   After a little research back at the boat Jerry returned to the hardware store to purchase a 6+gallon water container to collect waste oil when he does our oil changes.

Twelve loop boats celebrated arrival in Frankfort at the marina pavilion and then off to dinner at Dinghy's with Shane from Shandie and Rachel and Don from Beyond.  Winds built all afternoon; we were glad we were tied to a dock.

Day 74 Friday September 2, 2022

Winds built all night.  Waves coming over the breakwater are now 8-12 footers.  The Coast Guard have been called to rescue the occupants on a capsized boat.  We are quite protected at our slip since the entrance from Lake Michigan is a channel formed by breakwaters that actually goes into Betsie Lake.  

 Channel entrance   Frankfort Lighthouse marking the channel entrance.

 USCG station at Channel entrance to Betsie Lake

There are 3 marinas to choose from.  We are at Frankfort Municipal Marina -- further away from the channel entrance (less rocking), cheaper, and first come first serve.  They don't take reservations but it also means that once you have a spot you don't have to worry about when to leave, especially when weather turns bad and your reservation is up. Betsie Lake also has spots suitable for anchoring if the marinas are full or you prefer to anchor.

Expecting another long wait for a weather window, today was a project day.  Jerry investigated a sewer type odor that had developed while I scrubbed the interior of the bimini canvas in the flybridge.  Humidity and heat was causing mold issues that needed attention.  Jerry's project required the 3rd visit to True Value.  The switch on the shower sump that takes care of condensate collected from the shower and air conditioning units had failed.  The standing water was causing the smell.  Unfortunately they didn't have a switch.  Jerry worked his magic with a temporary fix.  

Day 75 Saturday 3, 2022

Waves are less today, only 3-4 foot, but still not a travel day.  Instead, it's Farmer's Market Day!  This time we didn't have to walk a mile to be disappointed.  The market was right next to the marina and very busy.  We scored some homemade cinnamon buns (Sunday breakfast), fruit and fresh veggies.  We also walked to the beach to check out the wave action and the main street stores.     Today was a yellow warning light for swimming and a red light for walking out on the pier. 

 

Then, walk to a real grocery store for a few staples.

 Leaves changing makes us think of home.

 

Mass at St. Ann Catholic Church and then captain's meeting to talk about possible travel tomorrow.  Looks like we have a weather opportunity tomorrow to travel to Ludington.  Dinner at Storm Cloud Brewery with Janet and Russ to close out our day.