August 17, 2017



On August 9th we left Mackinac City at 6am and we saw the sunrise!   Wow, I didn't know it was so beautiful. We wanted to get "good water" on way to Charlevoix and that we did.....there wasn't a ripple.   We were in the Charlevoix City Harbor, right downtown.   I believe it is the most beautiful harbor on the great lakes (at least that I have seen).  It is right downtown and lots there to see and do and EAT. .....I believe we ate our way thru Charlevoix in one week!  With the help or our good friends Trudy and Chuck Center, not only did we eat, but we also borrowed their car to relocate ours to Traverse where we will need it later this week.  We had a great time at the beach, golfing, did I mention eating(!).....we also got to catch up with old friends the Nestles while there.  We saw and chatted with several other loopers....it seems the farther we get on this "leg" of the trip the more loopers are showing up....I suppose when we get further down south, we will encounter even more.  We reluctantly left there at 6am the morning of Aug 15.  This time I slept instead of seeing the sun rise....but, of course, I was in the cockpit ready to take over the captain's duties, if need be!  I wasn't needed!!


We are presently in Traverse City, Michigan at the downtown city harbor.....Lots to see and do....For instance, the Pinta and the Nina came into harbor yesterday .....they are replica tall ships of Christopher Columbus era, when he first came over.   There were PROTESTERS with signs and yelling obscenities and things like "Go Home".....etc.    So, of course, we ran down to see what all was about, following the police officers, etc......Native Americans apparently have a beef with Columbus (!) and want to rewrite history on this one also....well enough of that topic!

I am so excited to post that I am now getting the 2nd toilet replaced on LeReve.....so any guests will be thrilled to hear that news!  Capt Bob is, once again, trying to pry himself into small spaces.....times like this a small child would be good to have aboard!.....(but, come to think of it, after the couple weeks with small children aboard, not so sure the trade off value is really there...ha!  Love my grandboys, but it is constant activity that we are so not used to!!

My 2 cousins on my mothers side of family live in Traverse City (I have 52 FIRST cousins.....2 on my mothers side and 50 on my fathers!!  seriously)  So my 2 here are near and dear, as my brother, sister and I are their ONLY first cousins.  I called Barb once we arrived and she immediately came down to say hello, and invited us over the next day to swim and meet some more "2nd" cousins....there are more of them. I also got the chance to visit with my Uncle Wally, who is 97 years old!.....and my other first cousin, John......and later, Bob and I enjoyed a lovely dinner with Barb and her hubby Dave.   (ps, we also learned some important lessons about getting a "permanent" address established soon, as they are both attorneys.....I made sure we had attorney/client confidentiality before saying a word!! haha)..I shall not forget "too clever, by half" ... thanks Dave!!

Tomorrow I fly to Cape May, New Jersey, for my annual get together there with girlfriends Gerry Ann and Madeline (or as I call her Gini.....you can figure it out!)  come to think of it, maybe I should call GA "Vodka"...and they could call me "ice tea".....SURE!    We have been doing this girls week away for over 10 years. It will be a good "break" for both of us to get some off boat time....Bob will be driving downstate for business and be picking me up when my flight returns in a week.  Then we    will spend a few days in Ann Arbor/Saline with activities such as a baby shower for Molly, etc.   Once we return back to boat it is serious travel time to get to lower Lake Michigan, hopefully connecting up with Lisa and Sue over Labor Day, and then the REALLY BIG adventure begins.  I say that as we have boated the Great Lakes for years and it is a "pleasant" repeat, but a repeat none the less.....It will be interesting to see something we have never seen or experienced before.