LOOP Report 09/13/2004

09/13/2004

Dear looper snoopers,

Our last news had us headed for Frankfort,Michigan. Well as of today Pat and Ted are back in Toronto for this week for various medical tests and dental work. To my amazement a cinnamon bun removed a chunk of silver from somewhere down in the south end. Anyways it took us one day in a drop off rental car to cross from Muskegon, Michigan to Port Huron only to find a 2-hour wait on the bridge before being let through our tattered Canadian flag customs. We Canadians look a little shabby to tourists crossing. But, we made it in one day so got a good refund since we thought it would take 2 days.
Now,…Back on the big gigantic Michigan lake, Frankfort was a good harbour, very nice marina, good facilities. It took us 8 hours to get there on a following 2-foot surf and under a hot sun. This weather has been perfect! We run off shore about 1-2 miles out and are hitting tremendous speeds of 9.5 to 12 MPH. This new GPS and radar give us a highway to follow as David and Sue set up the waypoints the night before on the master computer and then we transfer info to the bridge in the AM.
The locals love to fish salmon on this lake and are outside of every harbour on the way down. Seems that approx: every 50 miles there is an entrance to a safe harbour, usually with a nice quaint town on a nice quiet lake. We moved on to Pentwater, Michigan, again a great ride down hill, the water has gone from 67 to 56 degrees since Mackinac. The shore line is mostly sand dunes and cliffs all the way but manicured and protected by parks people.
Lots of big Cruisers, seems Chicago boaters store boats up the coast as it is cheaper. Have included attachment of one of the nicer cruisers with it’s own car transportation.
Cruised on again to Muskegon, Michigan, where the entrance way has a retired Submarine “Silversides” and a coast guard cutter with heavy artillery on forward deck for navy museum buffs I suspect. We also have seen many lighthouses so David has kept his camera hot shooting pics.
Also must mention the menus have been prepared with much creative thought. Good things keep appearing out of various holds and cupboards like magic.
The wheel changes hands about every 2 –3 hours and for the most part we have not strayed off the path, actually I strayed for a moment in a late night bar called Whitney’s when David shyly introduced me to a young rock and roller who was insistent we should do the “slide”. Pat and Sue were looking the other way at the time. Gave us all something to remember in Charlevoix.
So, while we’re here now in Toronto, The crew has gone on towards Chicago with the “Chinook” and currently are in Benton Harbour having dinner with another trawler doing the loop that we have been travelling along with since Charlevoix. We’ll catch up with them soon by plane or car or train.
Will say bye for now, Anything left out or a need to know further details please email us at tedpluspatlarson@aol.com
Cheers!