Monday, August 14. After my trip to Castle Farms I returned to the marina by 3pm. The electrician had given up trying to find the source of the electrical discharge and recommended that we have the boat rewired!!! Fortunately by using a 50 amp splitter we do not discharge any amperage so we are safe to move along. We settled our million dollar bill (they at least gave us a break on the dockage fee), left at 4:30 and went by these cute beach houses for the Belvedere Beach Club. Good bye mushroom houses. We made the 5pm opening of the Charlevoix Bridge. Felt like we were getting out of prison. But, can’t complain, it was a beautiful area. Looking back.We went a short distance (about 20 miles) to Northport. If you visulalize the lower pennisula of Michigan as a mitten, this would be located at the top of the left hand pinky. Nice backdrop for our new backyard (and crystal clear water, could see the anchor from 50+feet away). August 15, heading south, going by Grand Traverse Lighthouse. Western side of Michigan State/east coast of Lake Michigan has sand dunes running for over a hundred miles. The Sleeping Bear dunes were voted by ABC network as one of the top 10 most beautiful spots in America. People having fun on the dunes, which made me want to do that too. So I got into the dinghy and drove over to the dunes, Bob idled slowly south. Looking north.Looking south…and back to Islandia!People walking up and down a 400+foot dune!Going by Point Betsie Lighthouse. Lake Michigan boasts the most number of lighthouses among the Great Lakes. Per guidebook, this one is the most popular one for photo shoots. I stood on top of the sundeck to take a shot of the lighthouse with the dunes in the background.Felt something tickling my foot – it was a monarch! (and not a spider!). No comment about the overdue need for a pedicure. Over the course of the day 20+ monarchs crossed our bow. Seems to be the beginning of fall migration. Yikes, Fall? And, BTW, what is their plan? It’s over 60 miles to the other side of the lake.I estimated this stairwell is about 15 flights of stairs. Don’t forget the sunscreen! Also wondered if the new home owners are concerned about erosion. Another inviting dune. Heading in to the next NLT (nice little town) of Frankfort. Dunes just to the north of the entry. Harbor front.At the head of our dock was a garden full of obedient flowers. Would love to know how to make them work. Lots of murals in this part of the world. Back at the marina we noticed our doppleganger. First we’ve seen along our journey – but the next day we saw 2 more. Funny how things seem to happen in threes. (The owners, Charlie and Robin were a lot of fun).
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