We have been in Grand Haven, MI since the 28th and will spend one more night here, although we have to change our slip because of some incoming boats with reservations wanting to be together. Grand Haven is the home of the Coast Guard and has a big festival honoring the "Coasties" every year. We just missed being here for it. One can see from these two pictures that the Coast Guard presence here is strong. This boat was cruising up the river behind our boat followed closely by the Coast Guard boat in the next picture. It was just a funny sight to see such a small craft with two guys in it and then to see an obviously overmanned Coast Guard boat looking like they were about ready to pull them over and search for contraband. One wonders how they would have managed to "board" the little tug.

We have enjoyed Grand Haven. We really got to use our bikes for the second time, circumnavigating the city looking for a place to get our propane tank filled. Apparently, we biked right past the place, missing it because we were both distracted by a lawn mower on our side that we thought might throw grass toward us as we passed. Several miles later we pulled into a Wendy's for a belated lunch. (Gary had a Mandarin Chicken Salad, Annette a BIG burger melt.) We then visited AAA for some maps of the territory we will be navigating on the rivers. Finally we went to Walgreen's where we spent a frustrating hour plus trying to get a prescription filled. We had to give up and return to the boat. Later, Annette was able to get a ride from a fellow boater to get groceries, propane and the prescription. So after some frustration, the day ended well. Grand Haven is also home to the world's largest musical fountain which is right across the river behind Sabbatical. There are nightly performances which last about a half hour. Each show has a theme such as last night's rock and roll.

Here is an example of the shoreline in the area. In many cases, the sand had trees and grasses growing on it. You can get some idea of the scale from the large cruiser that is going by the base of these dunes. Sleeping Bear, north of this area, is the largest example and is an impressive sight from the lake. Susan says the view from the top is spectacular.

We spent August 27th anchored in Indian Bay in White Lake, MI. The trip was not pleasant with a following sea that resulted in Annette feeling sick. We were able to get a little relief as we got around Big Sable Point which provided some shelter from the worst of the wind and waves.

This is the lighthouse at White Lake that Annette photographed on our way out of the channel on the morning of the 28th. We left a 0815 and had a beautiful sail down the coast to Grand Haven. The winds were light, no more than 8 knots, but we were able to sail close hauled in apparent winds of up to twelve knots or so. We had to dodge a few fishermen and a few of them had to dodge us. There are whole flotillas of fishing boats out in the early mornings and the evenings here along the coast. The entire coastline along here is sand dunes, but oh, what sand dunes they are. Many are hundreds of feet high. There are areas without vegetation, probably parks, where dune buggies and other vehicles could seen dashing across the sand.

Here is Sabbatical anchored between the Benjamins in the North Channel. Annette took this shot from the four billion year old granite slope overlooking this bay at about 200 feet above the water. The Benjamins are our favorite place so far on our trip. These islands are currently connected because the water level has dropped so low. On the top of this slope, we found numerous trees toppled by a wind that we had experienced a part of days before. Of course, it is amazing that the trees survive at all growing as they do on top of solid granite. We found blueberries and raspberries as well as wild cherries on the islands.


When we dinghied around the islands, we had to take a picture of this small island which is so representative of what we saw all around us. I think it was part of a group named the Boar, Sow and Pigs. As we went around the islands we found boats tucked in little bays and a "community" of tents and kayakers.








This picture was taken on our 39th anniversary on North Benjamin Island in Georgian Bay. A self-portrait as the camera was on automatic. We followed this picture with the circumnavigation of the islands mentioned above.

On Sabbatical

On Sabbatical

We are currently in Traverse City, Michigan and on our way for Chicago and the rest of the Great Loop. We completed our conquest of Georgian Bay and the North Channel, becoming so enamored of this life that we decided to stay out the rest of the year and pursue the Great Loop course.