Great Loop Day 025 Sept 22, 2016, Leland to Frankfort, Michigan
Leland to Frankfort, Michigan
“The wideness of the horizon has to be inside of us, cannot be anywhere but inside of us, otherwise what we speak about is geographic distances.” ~Ella Maillart
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Day 25 Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. Frankfort. The weather continues to be mild if not overcast with light rain showers. Sitting in the cockpit on a beautiful Thursday evening. Earlier I spent this evening enjoying a beer at a local establishment with Jim W. Who I met back in Mackinaw City. Sharing stories of sailing boats, and life experiences. He's now anchored in the bay not far from me towing his dinghy behind him. Unbelievable how he came about buying his 35ft Alberg and now enjoying sailing up and down the Michigan coastline. Jim's 35ft Alberg. A 1964 Fiberglass hull was built really thick back in those days. Jim got the boat in Maine and sailed it here thru the Welland Canal. Tomorrow he'll be heading across the lake to Wisconsin and I'll be heading south getting ever closer to Chicago and the river system that will take me further south.
Today was made for motoring. Flat lake, little wind. Pop-up rain showers every now and then. Traveled 40.8 miles today on 4.8 gallons of gas. Getting close as possible to the shoreline to save time, and gas, and for getting a good look at the Sleeping Bear Dunes. I made a mistake thinking the dunes I saw yesterday were the Sleeping Bear Dunes. These were more impressive. Tomorrow's wind pattern looks favorable for a 65-mile trek to Pentwater. Longest yet. Hopefully getting there before the gas dock closes.
Mickey is doing well. Gets a can of tuna his favorite food on some of these long voyages if he behaves and so far he has.
I noticed there are no state docks on this side of Lake Michigan. Mostly staying at the local municipal docks. A bit less expensive than the resort docks.
Mark, the Dockmaster here at Frankfort Municipal is very friendly and gives you the layout of the land and a bit of the history. The bay I'm in was once a swamp. The shipping industry was set up to lighten the traffic burden in Chicago back in the mid-1880s. Railroads came in and lumber was the prime commodity. Now it's tourism. It's not unusual that most of the people you meet are from other parts of the state or neighboring states.
Stopped at a local gas station quickie mart and loaded up on my Power Aide. I'm good to go... Fair winds and gentle seas.
Comments from 2016:
Pogo Bob Frankfort was a good stop. I think that the marinas, while not "state" marinas, have to meet State guidelines for a port of refuge. In any event, all the marinas we encountered on that shore were well-found and reasonably priced.
Dan Whitmore Henry if you put your planned stops on your way to Chicago on here I will confer with several boater friends as to accommodations and fuel. Thought of you today and will really be thinking of you on your 65-mile trek tomorrow. Best of luck my friend!
Henry Krzemien RN Thanks, Dan. Checking the weather for the next 3 days and looks favorable with East winds. So far looking at Fri Pentwater 65m, Sat Muskegon 46m, Sun Saugatuck 40m, Mon st Joseph 44m. Monday the winds turn south. Trying to time the marina visit before 4 pm to gas up and dock for the night.
Henry Krzemien RN I'm starting to call several marinas at a particular stop. The prices vary. Here in Frankfort for a 22ft boat high of $44 to a low of $32 for one night here at the Municipal Marina. Using the Waterway Guidebook has several marinas to check at each overnight stop. Found marinas that advertise in guide book charge more, no doubt to cover the cost.
Dan Whitmore, I stayed at Harbour Towne in Muskegon a couple of weeks ago. I believe it was a $40 minimum charge. Very nice and the closest to the channel to the big lake and they have a gas dock. Torrensons is the next closest and is cheaper but not as nice. I have friends in Ludington, Whitehall (long haul in), Grand Haven, Holland, and Saugatuck that may have suggestions too.
Henry Krzemien RN Why are there no state docks like on the Huron side? They were nice and $27 for the night. Appreciate help. Sailing alone and not doing much sightseeing due to time constraints. Same with restaurants. Conserving cash for southern states. I am more comfortable in cheap dumps but that's just me.
Dan Whitmore Ludington Municipal is $32 a night I believe. If you're getting tired and want to stop a bit sooner tomorrow.
Henry Krzemien RN Good to know, thanks, Dan.
Jeff Cochran, You will be entertained by dune views for a while now...
Henry Krzemien RN Yep your right Jeff, 10m south of Frankfort.
Dave Litespeed Great pictures!
The largest dune.
Visibility must be poor inside this rain shower but they pass quickly.
No sunburn today.
Jim's 35ft Alberg. A 64 Fiberglass hull was built really thick back in those days. Jim got the boat in Maine and sailed it here thru the Welland Canal.
Part of the menu from Stormcloud Brewing Company and Pub on Main St.
Had a few samples and settled for the Handsome Bee at the Stormcloud Brewing Co.
