Lake Michigan - Part II

 TRAVEL DAY 110 - Leland to Frankfort

September 8, 2023

4.8 Hours/ 41.5 Miles

    The wind blew virtually all night and I had to get up once to adjust a fender that squeaked constantly, keeping me awake. In the morning, 2 boats were untying and headed south. This was our plan as well, but we wanted to wait an hour or so to make sure.  I do my best to try and decipher the weather forecast and most times I get it right. The problem comes when your judgement becomes clouded by your motives, and today our motive was to leave. 

Michigan Coast Sand Dunes

    The forecast was less than stellar, but I saw improving conditions. I was wrong. It wasn't horrible, but it certainly wasn't ideal. A schedule is the absolutely wrong thing to have on this adventure. A plan is OK, but a schedule is bad. You need multiple plans and don't marry any of them.

    It wasn't until later in the day's trip, when we rounded Point Betsie Lighthouse did the seas start to lay down. The jetties at Frankfort were a welcome sight after our washing machine ride. Once we got in Frankfort Municipal, we tied up and were greeted by the crew of Boomerang whom we hadn't seen since Oriental, NC. They had been there for 9 days waiting for an acceptable wind forecast.

   The four of us strolled downtown to Storm Cloud Brewing for an IPA and a good meal. The perfect tonic for a tough day at sea, topped off with some ice cream! 

    Not a lot of pictures in this entry, I think we were just too wiped out from the day's ride.

Leland to Frankfort

TRAVEL DAY 111 - Frankfort to Manistee

September 9, 2023

4.45 Hours/ 28.7 Miles

    What a difference a day and a change in wind direction can make. Yesterday's water that had very few if any boats on it, was now full of boats, many of them small aluminum fishing boats trolling for Lake Michigan fish. 

 

Salmon Fishing

    We continue to be impressed with the small towns all along the west Michigan coast, and Manistee tops the list! This is certainly America and life "under the bridge". Manistee has a fantastic municipal marina, like so many of the other Michigan municipals run by the DNR (Department of Natural Resources). We strolled down the riverwalk, then up the hill to main street. Lined with historic brick storefronts with virtually no vacant shops.

  

River Street, Manistee

    The crew loves games, so after lunch at TJ's Pub, we purchased some dominos for the boat game stash and played a few rounds of Pac Man at the game store.

"Old School" Pac man

    With all the breweries in Michigan, we intended to hit the two in Manistee. First up was North Channel Brewing. Excellent atmosphere in an old warehouse with some pretty fantastic beers brewed on site.

 

North Channel Brewing

    A short walk and 1 detour because of bridge repair and we landed at Third Life Brewing. This was a smaller operation inside of an abandoned steel mill. The bar tender was friendly and the locals were welcoming...oh yeah, more good beer.

 

More games

 

Third Life Brewing

    As we exited the building we could hear a live band playing. Following the sound, we ended up at the American Legion. We walked in and were instantly welcomed. The bartender said "If you're not a member, I can't serve you unless you have a sponsor, but you're welcome to stay for food and listen to the music". A lady at one of the outside picnic tables replied "We'll sponsor you...what'll you have?" We stayed an hour or so and had a great time with some homegrown "Michiganders".

Not sure which way to go now

 

TRAVEL DAY 112 - Manistee to Pentwater

September 10, 2023

4.72 Hours/ 37.5 Miles

    With at least one good weather window today and maybe 1/2 a day tomorrow, we pulled out of Manistee at 8 am. Again this Sunday, small and large fishing boats were sprinkled everywhere on the glass smooth lake. Our AGLCA pennant didn't budge, it layed flaccid on the bow rail. The galley crew fixed breakfast as I turned the boat south toward Pentwater, MI. This would be a nearly 5 hour trip with the only waves being wakes from passing fisherman.

 

Trolling for King Salmon

    These have been some of the finest of the over 3500 miles we've traveled, and we wondered how we could find a way to cruise some of these waters again.

 

Calm Lake Michigan

    Pentwater had 6 Loopers in port for the night, each one taking turns handling lines to get each skipper to the dock and tied up for the night. The comradery in this group is special for sure. A group of 8 walked to town to do what we do best, socialize. And that is what we did through dinner, drinks and songs around a fire pit.

Looper Cornhole

Manistee to Pentwater