ssloop: Cheboygan-Petoskey

Sunday morning we got up with the alarm, got spruced up and walked to a church we identified online to attend their 10am service. From a block away we could see the landscaping was unkept. Sure enough, church was closed. We walked around town and found another church, but that was also closed. Not a good sign of the times. We headed back to the boat and watched a service on TV which was cut a little short by for a bridge opening was had to catch. We traveled 20 miles on choppy seas, passed Mackinaw Island to St. Ignace Marina. That evening one of Steve's employees, Derek Stuk and his wife Tanya stopped by the boat. (They were in the area for vacation) We had a fun dinner together in St. Ignace.

Mackinaw Island is known as a must stop with the Looper crowd, however we had decided to skip the horse poop and fudge stop. (Been there done that) But....Monday morning the Straits of Mackinaw were so calm that we couldn't resist a dinghy ride to the Island. It was a great cruise but had to be cautious of the many Island Ferries and their wakes. We walked around for a couple hours with the masses of other tourists. (Been there done that again). The day was so beautiful that late in the afternoon called for another dinghy ride around the area. A swim in the crystal clear waters was a welcome relief from the heat. Early that evening our friend LaNell and her boyfriend Dennis drove up from Petoskey. After visiting on the boat, Dennis headed back to Petoskey and LaNell stayed to crew with us on our voyage to Petoskey.

Tuesday morning we awoke to a perfect travel day! We pulled out of St. Ignace by 7:30am for our 59 mile cruise to Petoskey. What a thrill to cruise under the Mighty Mac! Clearance was not a problem. We continued west on the Straits of Mackinaw and entered Lake Michigan. Wow...we've come a long way! We turned south through Grays Reef Passage, passed Beaver Island and into Little Traverse Bay.

What a great 8 hour cruise! We took advantage to the warm day and calm waters by stopping several times to swim. LaNell worked her magic in the galley and prepared us an awesome lunch which we ate out on the bow taking in the fantastic view of Sturgeon Bay. We pulled into Petoskey City Marina and quickly unloaded a bike for LaNell to zip home on and take care of a few work items. Once her work was completed she returned with her car and took us to dinner.

The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island and one of the many ferries.