Kelley has had some supplies mailed to Frankfort’s Marina and we were looking forward to returning there. We had a smooth ride, another 45 miles, down the lake. This is where the Sleeping Bear Dunes are located and it is beautiful to see them. There are huge mountains of  sand. Frankfort is a small town, one main street. As with most of the marinas in Michigan, there is park along the waterways.

We had planned to stay here just a couple of days. We wanted to pick up the packages, take a bike ride to Crystal Lake and look at the beautiful homes above the town. Knowing where we are headed next this is a great spot to stock up at the large grocery store that is here. Because we are walking, that means a couple of trips – but then, our schedule is pretty open.

Our bike ride to Crystal Lake was enjoyable. It is 10 miles there and we had a yummy lunch at a deli there and then turned around and rode back to the marina. On Saturday the Rotary Club had a Barbecue Chicken dinner fund raiser. We bought tickets and brought our dinner back to the boat. Half a chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, roll, cookie and drink. All for $10! It was delicious and we have half a chicken for another dinner! Out of the galley for another night.

It is now Sunday – are 2 days has turned into 5 days! It is Mother Nature again. As I sit here writing the boat is rocking back and forth. The marina is way in from the lake, but when the waves are breaking over the breakwater there is going to be surge. The boaters around us have come to help me adjust lines and also to tie one onto the boat with whom we share the slip. Kelley is on his bike….

This evening there are about 6 Looper boats meeting in front of our boat for drinks and dinner. We will join them and listen to stories and also get advice. Several boats are from Tennessee and so will have information about the Mississippi River.

We leave tomorrow for Luddington and plan to spend 2 days there….

We left Petoskey early for the trip to Leland. The lake was calm. This was another 45 mile trip. We called and Leland said that they had room for us. When we came in they really were not very full. But as the day wore on the harbor filled.

We stayed in Leland for 3 days, once again waiting out the weather. On the 2nd in the afternoon boats were rushing into the harbor. No sooner had one boat been tied up when another came in. Michigan is great about finding places for boats. Sailboats were rafted together; large power boats tucked in tying to the large poles that are at the end of the docks. There is even a boat tied between us and the sailboat in the slip behind us against the wall. We were so pleased that we had been attentive to the weather and had ventured out.

Leland is called “Old Fish Town.” There are many cottages here, lovely beaches, shops, restaurants and a grocery store. Kelley took a great bike ride; I had great walks and there was plenty of time to read, so sudoku, and, of course, knit.

The winds were picking up and Kelley had to get going. We left at 7 and went straight to Drummond Island. There would have been only one spot to stop, Meldrum Bay, and we didn’t want to tie up there. The marina and the “town” have not much to offer. So on we went. We had rain, a bit of rough water and really strong wind that came just as we were preparing to dock. We were so pleased that the man on the boat next to us came and assisted in the tie up. The marina had sent down a young (read 11ish) man to assist – he was not much help but at least got the back line so that after tying the front, the neighblr to get to the back and secure the boat.

This is where we clear customs. The Customs Officer was patient and waited until we were secure. She didn’t want to come aboard so just sat on the dock and talked to us. To date they have cleared 164 boats. Another officer came down and we talked to them both about our trip. It is nice to be back in the US of A.

Kelley has hurt his foot – no ta sprain, but it is hurting him. We hope it will be better by the morning. We had a nice dinner on the boat. We plan to leave early tomorrow to go on to St. Ignace. It will be another long day.