Day 11

Today was a bit of a bust as we decided against moving over to Harbor Springs because of the wind.  The bay is somewhat protected but there was just too much wind for me to be comfortable getting in and out of unfamiliar docks.  It would have been a challenge just to get the boat turned against the wind here in the Petoskey marina.  As it was, it started out an ugly looking day. 

The low clouds gave way to sunshine in the afternoon, but the wind continued to howl. 

The ladies wanted to take another hike up the creek near the marina, so we went on a little day trip.  The city has built this creek into a whitewater venue.  There have been boulders placed in the creek to create the effects desired. 

 
 It's a scenic little trail along the creek loaded with wildflowers.

Then right on cue, a couple kayak paddlers came down stream.  They were kayaks that I'm guessing were especially suited to this type of water.  They looked to be maybe 6' long at the most. 

Tomorrow promises to be calmer, so hopefully, we can get over to Harbor Springs for a day or two.  We'll start to look for a window of favorable water and weather to make the voyage back south below the 44th parallel.  Presently, Friday looks to be the best travel day, but the weatherman isn't always accurate.

Day 10

Today was a bit more laid back.  My 6am to 11pm activity schedule is beginning to catch up to me.  I awoke this morning to a bit of a breeze so all thoughts of deep water trolling in the dinghy quickly passed.  I rolled over in the berth and got an extra hour of sleep.  The marina was quiet and skies bright at daybreak.

After morning breakfast, I decided to see if I could find some more smallmouth bass on the rocks south of the harbor.  The only thing I could get to bite were gobies.  I've rigged a small bucket on a tow harness to slow my trolling speed in the dinghy.  It's a bit of a contraption, but works great.

Larger boats were moving in and out of the marina all day.  It was a little windy up and down the coast for the movement of smaller craft.  Here are a couple of the nicer specimens.

My lunch time view from the boat dinette is certainly much more pleasant than my usual surroundings at the office.

The weekend crowd is gone.  There are plenty of slips available this afternoon.  After a pleasant morning it appears weather is just beginning to build to the northwest.

We decided to treat ourselves to the local casino buffet this evening.  Of course, we couldn't leave without leaving a few dollars in the slots.

After dinner at the casino, we detected impending stormy weather so caught a shuttle back to the marina.  We arrived just in time to get the boat all closed in before the storm hit.

Tomorrow the plan is for a 4 mile move across the bay to the village of Harbor Springs, MI pending good weather and available dockage.

Day 9??  I'm losing count.

Got out of bed this morning to a calm lake and decided to mix it up with the big boats and try to find a trout or salmon.  Didn't work.  But it was a nice little boat ride up near Bay Harbor.

Although it's only 10' long, the dinghy is still equipped with marine radio, sonar and gps.

After the morning trolling event.  We loaded up the dinghys and headed into the bay toward Petoskey State Park.

The water here is exceptionally clear.  This shot of the rocky bottom is in 15' of water.

Kathy usually doesn't look quite so excited.

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We arrived at the state park to find a beautiful beach and campground.

The ladies were prospecting for...what else?...Petoskey stones.  They actually found a couple.

The lake started to blow a little so we headed back to the marina.  A sailing regatta was active on the bay.  These boats were all sailing out of Harbor Springs.

Back at the marina, our slip is on the fairway to the boat launch.  It provides entertainment watching all the trailer boats come and go.

We took a nature walk up a stream that flows into the marina basin.

After grilling a burger for dinner, Jim and I went along the shore to see if there were any fish to be caught.

Jim caught a dandy smallmouth.  I called it beginner's luck.

The sun was setting, so we packed up and returned to the mother ship.

Another busy day.  They pass so quickly.

Day 8

Finally, one of those days made for boating.  The day started out with a quick run out the Elk Rapids harbor in the dinghy for a little more of that smallmouth bass action.  It was a short stay due to the fact I had very little bait left and we needed to pack up for our move today.

We said good-bye to the folks at Elk Rapids...

...for the trip north to Little Traverse Bay and the harbor of Petoskey, MI.
Seas were dead calm for a change as we motored north out of Grand Traverse Bay.

Friends Jim and Sue Sarna were traveling with us in their boat Imagine.

Conditions continued to be ideal as we passed Charlevoix and entered Little Traverse Bay.

A 90 minute cruise brought us to Petoskey harbor.

Play Dough was a thirsty vessel so we waited for the gas dock to clear and took on fuel.

 We received our slip assignment and secured the boat for our 3 day visit.

We headed downtown and found the streets busy with the annual sidewalk sales.  Kathy was in her element...for hours!

I stumbled into a shoe store and found it decorated with antique outboards. 

The ladies thought this Jag might look good in the driveway.  I suggested they continue to shop for a dress.

 Having enough of the downtown excitement, I was wandering back to the marina.  I turned a corner and what to my wondering eyes should appear?  Slurpy heaven only a block from the boat.

We all found our way back to the marina and sat on the marina pier to enjoy the evening.

And so it goes.  The end of a near perfect (perfect except for the shopping adventure) day on Lake Michigan.

Good night all.