Day 76 Sunday, September 4, 2022
Frankfort MI STILL
The plan today was to head on to Ludington Michigan but our early morning weather check changed our plans. Winds had built overnight and were predicted strong throughout the day. Consultation with Tug Bussle confirmed the decision to stay put.
Coast Guard Station at Frankfort
We took advantage of the time for projects. I washed and waxed the salon floor, not exciting but need to protect it -- and it looks so much better. Jerry's project was an "alternate" cooking source. Our grill operates on propane. We haven't been able to use the grill because the tanks need to be refilled and we haven't found anywhere accessible to make it happen. Guess what -- another trip to the hardware store! Jerry purchased a portable gas grill and some 1 lb. propane containers.
We see all kinds of boats. M/V Fishing Gloria
Laura from The Grand Wazoo warned us that there wasn't a nearby grocery store in Ludington so we made another trip for the essentials -- milk and Tanqueray...
Tomorrow the weather gods are favorable for moving on to Ludington. Time will tell.
Day 77 Monday, September 5, 2022 Labor Day
Frankfort to Ludington MI
We woke early for a planned trip to Ludington.
This time the weather gods were smiling. We left Frankfort at 8am and arrived at Ludington Municipal Marina at 2pm. Six hours of sunshine and waves mostly 1-2 foot. It was a mass exodus from Frankfort of 12 boats, all taking advantage of the favorable weather. We were looking forward to seeing Joe and Laura (The Grand Wazoo).
Big Sable Point Lighthouse
The coast continued with occasional sand dunes, a stark contrast to the rocky coast of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
Ludington North Breakwater Light
We have a sense of gratitude that we are no longer on the Trent-Severn Waterway in Canada. The Kirkfield lift lock is closed indefinitely for needed repair. Any boats that haven't made it past the Kirkfield lock are now stranded and must turn around. Depending on the size boat it could mean turning around and going home, having your boat hauled and trailered around the lock, or worse, hauling your boat out and dry dock until next year when the lock is fixed and you can proceed. Very thankful that we are not having that loop experience.......
Ludington is the port of the SS Badger, a coal fired car and passenger ferry. The Badger and its boilers are registered sites in both Michigan and Wisconsin. The ferry makes a couple trips daily across the lake to Manitowac Wisconsin. We watched as it dropped anchor in the bay, swung itself around and then backed into its dock.
You can see the cars tucked inside.
Bronze statues in Waterfront Park
We have been very impressed with the investment in parks and marinas we have encountered in Michigan. Huge breakwaters and great protection from the wind and waves.
Ongoing discussion for the last few weeks has been whether we would continue down the eastern Lake Michigan shore or attempt to cross the lake to the western shore to visit Wisconsin. Crossing would require an 8 hour window of good weather and minimal wind, or at least wind out of the east instead of the west. Weather is with us tomorrow with predictions of less than a foot even in the broad lake. Tomorrow we cross to Manitowac WISCONSIN, 7am start.
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