Ludington, Michigan - A Great Stop!!

Ludington MI-blooming flowers everywhere

High winds, lots of clouds, a little sunshine, lots of walking/bike paths and plenty of retail therapy!! A great way to spend the past 5 days!

We anchored on Saturday – wow, I miss the days of anchoring!  Then Sunday morning tied up at Ludington Municipal Marina…and there we were…for FOUR days!! Ludington is a great little town full of super friendly people but I’m not a fan of chronic marina life – however…lady blue (Lake Michigan) has quite an attitude and when she’s feeling snotty, you sit still!!!

Winds & waves closed the access to the breakwall & prohibited swimming

We filled our time with lots of walking, shopping and a pedicure (me).  We weren’t the only boats in the marina so there was plenty of time to visit with old friends we haven’t seen in months and meet several “new” loopers just getting started.  And the ever present local boaters who look at us from two different perspectives; we are living their dream OR we must be absolutely crazy!! I agree with both opinions because an element of crazy is necessary.

The SS Badger approaching Ludington Harbor

Watching the SS Badger come and go was amazing! This passenger/vehicle ferry is coal powered AND a National Historic Landmark. It runs from Ludington MI to Manitowoc WI daily.  It is 410 ½’ long, 59 ½’ wide and draws (amount of ferry underwater) 24’!!!  It makes our boat look like a dinghy!  Wednesday was a rough day out on Lake Michigan and when the SS Badger pulled into Ludington (approx 7:00pm) we heard several passengers yell “Land Ho, Land Ho”!! I understand their excitement!

Why, yes, that is a full sized 18 wheeler parked on the ferry!

Thursday morning it was 49°, Charlie looked at the weather forecast and decided we would leave the marina but anchor in the harbor – 3’ wave predicted “out there”.  And then…he walked down the dock, talked to a charter captain, came back to the boat and said “it’s not gonna be bad – let’s go.”  Well, of course…it had warmed up to 53° and the sun was trying to peek through!! Within the hour, water tanks filled, holding tank emptied, power cords wrapped, water hoses rolled, fenders up, lines in, engines checked…whew!! Nothing like a fire drill after breakfast to get the day rolling!  We were underway along with Ivanhoe, Tranquillity III, Jaycie Lynn and we heard Kia Mae & Bad Habit behind us as we cleared the break wall – LOTS of company out there today!!

Entrance to Pentwater Harbor 8/24/2017

Twelve miles later we are all anchored at Pentwater MI – well Jaycie Lynn is at the marina, but the rest of us have established a very nice “Trawler Park” in the Pentwater Harbor.  It is partly sunny, the winds picked up and this was a nice protected stop.  Weather predictions for Friday are favorable & I think everyone is going to make it to Muskegan MI.

Stand Up Paddleboarders 8/24/17 - Air Temp 63 & water temp 68, hmmmmm

Friday is a very special day for Sanctuary (currently docked at the marina)…they will be HOME!!  In looper language “Sanctuary will cross their wake”!  We first met Steve & Teresa on the Tenn Tom River and anchored with them in Bashi Creek (north of Demopolis AL), crossed the Gulf of Mexico, leap-frogged up the east coast, toured Washington DC, New York City, the Erie Canal, parts of the Trent Severn, bounced around the Great Lakes and here we are…sharing the excitement of their accomplishment!!  It’s amazing how fast the time has passed but even more amazing is the feeling of “family” we have developed!  We are so blessed to have shared the past 10 months with them – memories forever!

Routine maintenance is VERY important-just enough room for two!

Make sure you have "friends like family" in your life - every family tree needs a couple "friends limb"!!

God Bless!