ssloop: Elk Rapids-Leland

Friday morning we bid farewell to Dick & Pat, wishing them safe travels for their grand adventure. We cruised 19 miles traveling around Mission Point to Suttons Bay. We took a slip at the Suttons Bay Marina where we met our friend Karen Dupy who had driven up from Grand Rapids to spend a couple days with us. Karen and her husband Nelson have been close friends for many years. This was the first time we have seen Karen since Nelson passed away in early June after a courageous battle with ALS. It was so nice to spend time hugging, crying, laughing and sharing many great memories of Nelson. (Hawaii, Florida, golfing, boating) It was such a hot afternoon that we went to the beach next to the marina for a swim and later took a dinghy ride around the bay.

We awoke to a gorgeous sunny day on Saturday so we took out the Pura Vida and traveled 15 miles south on the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay to anchor out near Marion Island. The waters were clear, calm and warm. The three of us spent much of the afternoon swimming, floating and reminiscing in the turquoise waters. Late afternoon we moved and dropped the anchor in Suttons Bay, pulled out the grill and enjoyed a great steak dinner as the setting sun sparkled across the water. By dark we were nicely tied back up in our slip at the marina. What a perfect summer day in Michigan!

After breakfast on Sunday morning, Karen headed back to Grand Rapids and we untied our lines and cruised 13 miles to Northport. Half way there the winds picked up and the bay became very choppy. The winds made it tough getting the boat into the slip but we succeeded without incident. It was a crazy windy and steaming hot afternoon and night. The power kept going out on the entire dock at the marina evidently due to everyone running their air conditioners. We explored town by foot and had dinner at a local restaurant. The electric remained out overnight so it was a long hot night without AC.

(a "luxury" normally reserved for nights on the hook)

Monday morning we pulled out early, fired up the generator, got the coffee brewing and the fridge chilling down. We traveled 29 miles around the tip of The Leelanau Peninsula to Leland Harbor Marina. We had planned to stay in Northport longer but decided to leave Monday as the weather forecast for midweek was for rain and winds.

Crossing Grand Traverse Bay - East Arm. Deepest water of our entire trip!