Browning Looper Boat Trip: Aug.21, 2011: From Leland to Grand Haven, MI.

Aug.21, 2011: From Leland to Grand Haven, MI.

We have had such beautiful weather that the rain yesterday was barely noticed. We are at a marina in the channel at Green Haven just at the mouth of the Grand River. I understand this river is the longest in Michigan and goes to Grand Rapids. It is a rough day on the Lake today, so boaters are seeking refuge here. There is a steady stream of boat traffic. The entertainment right off our stern is watching the Coast Guard board everyone…not us!..

The night before leaving Leland, we had a gathering with the Loopers Jolly Tolly, from Ga., Carrie Rose, from Chicago, Tropical Breeze from Fla., and Nova from the Vineyard. We swapped stories and gathered information about Chicago. That will be a major visit at the end of this month. Jan, on Jolly Tolly, is known as the “pump out Queen” forevermore. (If you really want to know why, let me know!)

We then traveled to Manistee, Pentwater, White Lake, and then Grand Haven. We followed along the coast of the Sleeping Bear Dunes State Park, which, according to ABC’s Good Morning America, has been voted the most scenic area in the

U.S.

It was beautiful, but so are a lot of other places.

Grand Haven is a lovely city and a good stopover for a few days on land. There has been a Farmers’s Market, Arts and Crafts Fair, church suppers and an ice cream social; quite a busy place. Each night, on the opposite shore, there is a 45 minute production of music, colored lights, and fountains. The intensity of the fountains and the lights are synchronized with the music. The first night the music was from the Phantom of the Opera; quite a phenomenon. They have been doing this since 1962.

Skipper is having a wonderful time on the boat. He loves to walk and gets whiney if we leave him. He knows what ice cream is and would probably eat a gallon if we let him. Mike, on NOVA, stopped at a pet store and bought him some pigs’ ears to chew on. When Gene told me, he failed to mention they were for the dog. I thought it was going to be one of those crazy dinner appetizers Gene often experiments with. Well, Skipper loves them. He is, as they say, happy as a pig chawing on one. Thanks Mike!

We are about 100 miles from Chicago. We plan to be there by the 30^th and stay for a week through Labor Day. There is a bit to do (we have never been), and the waterfront is supposed to be spectacular.

There are now a bunch of Loopers docked here: Jeremiah, Seamore, Dream Catcher, Rock Chalk, NOVA and us. There will be a gathering at 5 o’clock; that’s always fun!

The winds will be calm, so we will head to Saugatuck tomorrow for a couple of days. It is supposed to be a town with much music and artwork…..The locals think summer is just about over….I think we are just beginning! Stay tuned…Ginny