Left Petoskey early to head down Lake Michigan. Sand dunes along the way, apparently there will be plenty more as we head south. We thought we had landed on Planet Ork, but it was just a cement factory outside our destination of Charlevoix.Lake Charlevoix Inlet: The bridge just out of sight only opens on the hour and half hour. Had to wait our turn. Looking back at the draw bridge which goes right through yet another artsy community. Lovely homes. I guess it takes 5 levels of motivation to achieve owning a five level house complex. Another nicely painted home. So shortly after we arrived at the Irish Boat Shop Marina, we plugged in as usual and set off an alarm that detects stray current in the water. Obviously a dangerous situation for anyone in the nearby water. The manager was called and he said he would arrange for an electrician to come over to find the source of the stray electricity. Well, four days later (16+ billable hours) we still have no answers. Fortunately we were able to bypass the problem with a temporary bandaid: for reasons beyond my comprehension, when we put our two 30amp cords into a 50amp splitter, our discharge is zero. So, we made several trips back and forth to the town of Charlevoix (a 5 mile round trip – at least we got our exercise!). This is a small butterfly garden outside the library.A monarch lands almost on cue on the butterfly bush flower. Seeing lots of monarchs in this neck of the woods. Charlevoix is known for its whimsical, mushroom houses. This one, “the Thatch House” can be rented. Looking across the street there is access to a public beach next to the breakwater/lighthouse. The town filled this park pond with trout.Walking back to the marina one goes through the Belvedere Club area – golf courses, yacht club, sailing school and beautiful homes. Wednesday night is apparently sailboat race night. I still don’t know why most of the docks here have these annoying posts on the outside of the docks (they are not for support). Just makes docking a bit tricky and then fender placement becomes challenging each time the boat moves. But, they at least make an interesting way to frame the boats racing by. Back to the beach area on Thursday to look for Petoskey stones. Success! The two oval stones to the left were purchased beforehand in town so I would know what to look for. Each hexagon is one organism in the colony of the petrified fossil coral. They were formed 350 million years ago when the area was covered with a salt water sea. The stones that have the really teeny tiny hexagons are known as Charlevoix stones. I also picked up just a blank white stone and painted it. (Being held hostage to the electricians for days results in doing very random projects). I hid the stone at the small beach next to the marina. I found out through the Harbor Hosts (who very nicely delivered an iPad to us that we ordered at a Walmart 16 miles away), that the small painted stones I have been seeing in the area are a project of six year old Ashton VanBrocklin. Per Jane and Bill Stone (ironic last name), he just thought it would be fun to paint rocks and hide them. Hope he finds this one. Back into town, going on day 4. For 59 years Charlevoix has hosted the “Waterfront Art Festival” on the 2nd Saturday of August, rain or shine. It did rain in the morning, but only briefly. So much painting, photography, wood work, jewelry and whimsical stuff talent here! This is actually the subject matter of a painting I would like to try. Not sure Bob will go for an easel on the boat. We’ll see…..On Saturday afternoon we learned the electrician would not be coming back that day or on Sunday so we left the marina for a night. We’ll resume the hemorrhaging of money on Monday. The marina is on Lake Charlevoix (about 20 miles long, 3 miles wide) so we left to explore the lake and anchor out for a change of scenery. Gotta love the name of this house.Boat house next door is also beautiful. Would be perfect for our friend Jamo Jones. I don’t know the name of this place but it was massive! Looks like a sailboat boat house similar to Boldt Castle’s boat house. Our backyard for the night. Had a pleasant visit with the “looper”boaters behind us, John and Kara aboard Crow’s Nest.
Sorry for your electrical woes. Most impressed with the rocks (can you find one for my garden, too, please? Even a tiny one!) and your painting. Love the funky little houses. Best wishes for a successful boat recovery.
Islandia Grabo's Blog 
Sorry for your electrical woes. Most impressed with the rocks (can you find one for my garden, too, please? Even a tiny one!) and your painting. Love the funky little houses. Best wishes for a successful boat recovery.
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Don’t worry, I’ll find some stones for you😊!
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Dee,
Beautiful places and Yeah! for places that value artsy and whimsical culture.
I am so taken with the petoskey stones. Never heard anything about these until now.
Take care, be safe. I’m so concerned about your electrical problems. There has to be a more efficient way to find current leakage(s). Aargh🤤
Much Love,
Denise
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