Loop Life with Greg and Reenie: 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.