SUMMER 2015

We have been home in Laguna Beach a few days...acclimating to living on land in our house! It is a bit of an adjustment :) It's kind of funny, by habit - We both still check the weather forcast for Lake Michigan first thing every morning? 

The most enjoyable part about being back in California is seeing friends and family and reminiscing about this summer's Great Loop Adventure aboard Thistle. 

We are frequently asked what was the best part of the trip? And that is very difficult to answer... Here is an attempt:

The adventure of visiting North America together by water...every place we visited this summer was a first time new experience for both of us, it's truly overwhelming...and exhilarating! And at the same time we had to depend and trust each others decisions to survive and be safe (navigating, docking, locking, reading charts, anchoring, communicating, listening to weather reports...etc) while living in tight quarters (believe us, that part is overwhelming...and exhilarating too)!

Over the last few days we agreed on the three best moments of the summer (Not in any order). Anchoring at Bad River in the Georgian Bay and observing the Perseid Meteor Shower on Thistle's Flydeck, Seeing a Black Bear swim right in front of us across Collins Inlet and Watching the sunset while sitting on the Pink Granite Rocks in the Benjamin Islands.

This summer we also had the pleasure of experiencing great comradery with fellow Loopers. It was wonderful to share stories and tips, exchange boating cards, play cards, buddy boat and enjoy a few "Docktails".

Another highlight of the summer was Bill & Carolyn visiting us for three nights aboard Thistle...We appreciate their big effort to meet us in remote Canada to share some of Loop Life :) 

And possibly the best part of our summer 2015 was knowing we had so many friends and family traveling with us every day...by following our blog and wishing us well on Looplifewithgregandreenie!

Thanks...XO until next summer :)

The Great American Loop - Blue Line (We plan to finish some day)!

Our Summer 2015 adventure aboard Thistle - Red Line.

Happy to be home in Laguna Beach.

XO

IRISH BOAT SHOP, CHARLEVOIX to TRAVERSE CITY

We enjoyed our last night aboard Thistle and got up early Friday morning to "Ship Shape" her for the winter. 

It was a short 20 minute trip from the CHARLEVOIX City Marina to IRISH SPRING BOAT SHOP on Lake Charlevoix. We docked, signed our winter storage contract and said our good byes.

We rented a car and took a short tour of the local "UP" area and spent one night enjoying TRAVERSE CITY (It's a little disorienting being on land and sleeping in a hotel, we are both still moving like we are aboard Thistle?).

On Saturday morning we walked to the TRAVERSE CITY Farmers Market, relaxed sharing breakfast at a nice side street cafe and headed to the airport. 

We retuned our rental car and checked in for our flight home. The TRAVERSE CITY Airport is a very small regional one, where we connected through Chicago to LAX.

Looper Tip: IRISH SPRING BOAT SHOP is a great winter storage spot.

Dear Blog Followers ... We will have one more summer 2015 "wrap up" post in a few days XO :) Thanks.

The "Big Picture" where Thistle is this winter :) On Friday morning we passed some colorful beach huts near IRISH SPRING S BOAT SHOP.

Thistle ready to be moved inside to stay warm in Michigan.

All "Ship Shape"!

Signing our winter contract.

Our rental car sight seeing adventure path.

Back to Petoskey for tea at Dripworks, to Wallon Lake and Boyne City.

Then rode on the Ironton Ferry... Check out the 1884 prices :) Today a car with passengers is $3.25 for a short 5 minute ride.

TRAVERSE CITY is the Cherry Capitol of the World! There are tooooooo many cherry products to imagine?

Nice TRAVERSE CITY shops.

TRAVERSE CITY is a trendy food and wine destination.

The Saturday Farmers Market. 

Cherry Capitol Airport 🍒 on our way back to home in Laguna Beach.

PETOSKEY to CHARLEVOIX

It's been a wonderful and busy few days in CHARLEVOIX:) We are still amazed by the beauty of Lake Michigan and the charming small towns in this region. Upon arrival in a new port, we typically ask each other..."Will this be a one or two night town?"...And guess what, CHARLEVOIX was a five nighter!

The city of CHARLEVOIX is named after French explorer Pierre Francois Xavier de Charlevoix, who traveled the Great Lakes. The city was settled by fisherman who were here in 1852. In the late 1800's the Charlevoix Lumber Company shipped more than 40 million board feet of lumber. In the 1880's  professors from The University of Chicago formed the First Summer Home Association. During Prohibition CHARLEVOIX became a popular meeting place for many influential Midwesterners. 

The City of CHARLEVOIX is located on Round Lake and has a very nice Marina located right in the center of the town. CHARLEVOIX has a long history as one of the finest summer tourist destinations, since the early 1900's. Our first night docked here there were eight other Looper boats in the Marina. We all met in the park that evening to share stories and Looper Tips. 

Since the weather here is changing sooner that expected and we are not thrilled about crossing Lake Michigan this time of year ... We are excited to let you know, we secured warm inside winter storage for Thistle here in CHARLEVOIX, rather than hurry to Green Bay (as originally planned). 

We rode our bikes (about two miles) to visit the winter storage facility, and are very pleased with our decision. Once that was accomplished, it was easy to relax and celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary, and enjoy the the last few days aboard Thistle for this season :)

Tomorrow morning we will take Thistle to her warm winter home. It's bittersweet to realize that this summers journey is coming to an end. But, our pictures and memories of Loop Life 2015 will last for ever! 

Looper Tip: Terry's Restaurant in CHARLEVOIX is fantastic. We recommend their Whitefish with stewed tomatoes.

Our Sunday journey from PETOSKEY to CHARLEVOIX - about two hours.

There is a breakwater and bridge to enter CHARLEVOIX. The bridge only opens on the hour and half hour. The breakwater reminded us of entering Newport Harbor. 

Lots of very nice boats in Round Lake at the City Marina CHARLEVOIX.

CHARLEVOIX is famous for its 31 Mushroom Homes designed by Earl Young. He worked mostly in stone and boulders he found around northern Lake Michigan. His designs are very distinctive because of his use of curved lines.

CHARLEVOIX, Thursday Farmers Market ... Fall is here!

The homes on Round Lake have huge boat houses attached to their living area.

On Wednesday we rode 25 miles from CHARLEVOIX back to Bay Harbor to complete the Little Traverse Wheelway Trail.

Look what we saw on the trail :)

Summer homes around CHARLEVOIX. 

Visible from the CHARLEVOIX Harbor entrance. 

Beach time on Lake Michigan.

The weather is changing !!! We experienced one severe storm while in CHARLEVOIX. Trees blew over and the Marina stairs became a river??? Our Bimini blew off Thistle (It can be fixed :) ... More than a little scary! From what we understand these Fall storms just get closer and closer together across the Great Lakes, and then it's winter.

Fall colors on Round Lake.

The trees are starting to look like Fall.

Stormy skies on Thistle :)

Happy 30th Anniversary XO

Starting year #31 at dock # 31... :)

MACKINAC ISLAND to PETOSKEY

We departed MACKINAC ISLAND earlyThursday morning and buddy boated with four other boats to PETOSKEY. Once docked in PETOSKEY, we stayed for three nights...Visiting the town of PETOSKEY was truly an unexpected pleasure! 

Looper Tip: Most of the Looper guides don't suggest to stop here...it was a favorite port for us :) A great Marina, lots of restaurants and shops, bike trails and even a West Marine!

PETOSKEY  is a nice resort community located in Little Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan. PETOSKEY and the surrounding area are notable for being the setting of several Nick Adams stories by Earnest Hemmingway. Hemmingway spent his childhood summers in this area.

PETOSKEY is also known for a high concentration of Petoskey stones, the state stone of Michigan. 

The name "PETOSKEY" is said to mean "Where the light shines through the clouds", in the language of the Odawa Indians, who were the original inhabitants. Petoskey stone and the city were named after Chief Ignatius Petosega (1787-1885), who founded the community.

Our journey from MACKINAC ISLAND to PETOSKEY - about 40 miles / 8 hours. Pretty polished PETOSKEY stones with the "Big Picture" of where we are in MI.

Crossing under the majestic MACKINAC Bridge. The Brigde connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. It opened in 1957.

We are now officially in Lake Michigan:)

️The PETOSKEY Lighthouse.

There is a beautiful well maintained bike trail connecting towns along this section (Little Traverse Bay) of Lake Michigan. Friday's ride to Bay Harbor, Red Line (10 miles) and Saturday's ride to Harbor Springs, Green Line (20 miles).

Some local history.

The Friday PETOSKEY Farmers Market.

When the sun shines...We are amazed by the beautiful blue clear water of Lake Michigan.

Boating buddy's go to dinner at The Garage. The restaurant chandler was made from spark plugs and the bathroom sink was a tire with water from a gasoline hose (the company was fun, but decorations were much better than the food?).

Some of our favorites in PETOSKEY: Julianne Tomatoes - great lunch, Lake Affect - handmade items from the local area (we purchased a boat table for Thistle), Dripworks - best tea ever and Palette - great early bird specials.

Our bike ride to Harbor Springs (very fancy town). We saw a waterfall on the bike trail. Reenie hurt her toe (Ouch) on the ride and Greg renamed the town PeTOESkey! (It still hurts a day later, but he made me laugh :).

The Private Grounds around Harbor Springs.

A special surprise visit from our "Gold Looper" (finished the Great American Loop) boating buddy's, Vicki & Mark from Blue Willow. 

A wonderful pre Anniversary dinner and toast in the wine cave at Chandler's Restaurant in PETOSKEY.

A pretty sunset followed by a "Super" moon XO.

ST. IGNACE to MACKINAC ISLAND

On Monday, we set our alarm for sunrise... Crossing our fingers to have an early morning weather window to make the quick one hour trip from ST. IGNACE to MACKINAC ISLAND.

Yeah... We made it!!! With wind and rain?

We throughly enjoyed three nights on MACKINAC ISLAND. The weather was very poor for boating... What a "Grand" place to be stranded for a few days :)

Located on Lake Huron, MACKINAC ISLAND was home to Native American settlements before European exploration began in the 17th century. The ISLAND served as a stategic position amidst the commerce of the Great Lakes. 

This led to the establishment of Fort Mackinac by the British, during the American Revolutionary War.

In the late 19th century MACKINAC ISLAND became a popular tourist destination and summer colony. The entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

MACKINAC ISLAND can only be reached by private boat, ferry or small plane (and in the winter by snowmobile, when the Lake freezes over).  Motor vehicles have been prohibited since 1898. Travel on the ISLAND is by foot, bike or horse drawn carriage. 

Looper Tio: This is one of those must stop destinations (Yes, its touristy, but unique and historic).

Monday morning sunrise over MACKINAC ISLAND.

Our journey from ST. IGNACE to MACKINAC ISLAND - one hour.

Picture perfect MACKINAC ISLAND... Has a year round population of 500 residents. In the peek of summer (July) there are as many as 15,000 tourists per day!

MACKINAC ISLAND.

We circumnavigated the Island two times! The M-185 Perimeter Tour is an eight-mile state highway around the shoreline. Rock "Cairns" (stacked mounds of rocks and pebbles) are popular to build as a memorial along the trail. 

Doud's Market is the oldest family run grocery store in America, it opened in 1884. Only horse and bike parking provided while you shop.

MACKINAC ISLAND is nationally known  for its fudge shops. Many of the locals call the tourists "fudges"!

We rode bikes to the Woods Restaurant in the middle of the Island for lunch. It was closed for lunch, but we enjoyed a tour and both knocked down all the pins in the old fashion "Duckpin" bowling alley. 

The view of Fort Mackinac from Thistle on our dock.

Fort Mackinac was the site of the first land engagement in The Was of 1812. The cannon is fired on the hour to welcome visitors to MACKINAC ISLAND.

Grand Hotel (No "The") on MACKINAC ISLAND is 128 years old. The hotel is open from June to October each year with more than 130,000 guests each season. We decided to splurge and stay for one night on a Visit Michigan's Grand Hotel special. (At $128 each including: accommodations, full breakfast, five course Grand Hotel Dinner, Golf (we passed in the rain), Fort Mackinac and Art Museum admission and 10% off and additional purchases.) 

At 660 feet long, Grand Hotel's front porch is the largest in the world. Every one of the 385 guest rooms has unique decor (bottom left was ours for one night :). The lobby is lavishly decorated with all kinds of live music thought the day and night.

There have been two popular movies filmed here: "This Time for Keeps", staring Ester Williams in 1947 and "Somewhere in Time", staring Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour in 1980.  

We both walked the sacred path of the hotel's Labyrinth. Feeling relaxed we followed the hotel's dress code and changed attire for dinner!

Grand Hotel, MACKINAC ISLAND.