Left Manistee with south winds pushing us north to Frankfort. We anchored in Betsie Bay for 2 nights. Fun fact: Frank Martin moved to Frankfort and immediately built a log stockade around his home to keep drifting snow out in 1855.  Neighbor's called it "Frank's fort" and the name stuck. On to us, Ollie loves anchoring because it means more dinghy rides.  Then he gets his walk. Frankfort has all parks by the marinas which is great.

After a couple of days here, sitting around (Ollie literally sits) we headed to Leland.

The breeze was southeast at 22 knots sustained in the morning, 2-3 footers and we were cruising North. When we reached Sleeping Bear Dunes, the wind slowed to 10-15 knots directly behind us which is not much to sail . We pulled in the sails and motored. Then the lovely Lake Michigan flies hit. We got our aerobic exercise swatting those babies until we put the side and back screens down. We made it to Leland by afternoon. Ollie loves it here as the dockmaster greets him with treats and calls him "the beach dog". At night, the sunset is always so pretty here it draws crowds. This is from our slip.  

After 2 days at Leland, we headed to Charlevoix in what was suppose to be 2-4 footers, but it was not bad and calmed quickly. We went past Cathead Bay and Point, looked and looked and figured we really had to test our imaginations to see it. We made it to Charlevoix for the 1:00 bridge and pulled into our slip. Oliver also loves it here as the dockmaster, Hal gives out dog treats too. Spent today cleaning, grocery shopping and being lazy.

 We spend time in the cockpit on lovely days. I call it our family room.

On to Harbor Springs tomorrow.

Spent an extra day in Ludington due to weather/waves and we are doing the same in Manistee. Today we would have have 3-5 footers coming over our bow, so we are making Oliver happy by staying here. He does not like anything over 2 feet anymore. When we left Ludington we had 1-2 foot waves and a 18-22 knot breeze behind us. Here is Ollie as we left and the lovely sail we had after Big Sable Point to Manistee.

In Manistee, we did the usual, got some groceries, ice cream and good dog walks. Monday was cool at the docks as a big freighter went by us. Oliver barked hello. We also met people from Oklahoma and Colorado that trailer their smaller sailboats around the country to visit many places. They told us tails of the East Coast.

On to Frankfort tomorrow, where we will anchor out. I am also including some pictures of inside the boat, so you can see how we are living.

Spent Wednesday at anchor in White Lake. It was very pretty. Taking the dog ashore in the dinghy is a show all it's own. Since we are basically the same size, his excitement and exuberance makes us the entertainment for the evening for those at the yacht club. When we get to shore, all he wants to do is play in the lake versus doing his business. Sorry, no pictures of this as my hands are full with Oliver.

Thursday we took off for Ludington under very calm conditions. We were just north of Silver Lake Dunes when the engine overheated and we put her in neutral. Dale , as usual went to see what the problem was and I noticed no water was coming out the engine exhaust. With that diagnosis, Dale worked on the impeller and water intake parts and got it fixed after and hour and having spare parts. We are really starting to feel we are being tested to make sure we really want to do this. Oliver took it all in stride as you can see in the picture. He is so helpful during emergencies. Again, thank goodness it was calm.

Made it to Ludington, where Dale fixed a leak in the new part he had added and I got in a short run, did laundry and some grocery shopping. Plan to leave for Manistee on Saturday. Everyone start praying!

Started out June 1 early because waves were to increase to 4-6 feet during the afternoon. It was cold and rainy, but OK out on the lake (see picture of Dale and Ollie). About 45 minutes out, we smelled something funny with the engine, heard a squeal and the engine shut off. Dale immediately ran below to work on it and I tried to keep us afloat with Oliver by my side. Luckily the waves were only about 2 feet at this time. Somehow Dale got the engine working and we hobbled back to Holland. In Holland Dale took the transmission off and found out the problem. The transmission had overheated causing a ball bearing casing to fall apart. Back home he had our old transmission, so he took parts from the old transmission and the newer one and got things running again. It took 2 days and a few runs to GR. Anyway, sunny, cool and calm Monday(the other picture) arrived and we took off from Holland again with a goal of making it to Grand Haven. I prayed and recited scripture to keep my nerves in check. We made it to Grand Haven and will spend a couple days here. The musical fountain was lovely last night and Oliver took me for a 4 mile run this morning to the beach. Boy am I out of shape!

We did it! (I think)

Our goal was to leave by June 1 and I think we will make it. We have been putting on the sails, bimini, dodger and enclosure, attaching the new dinghy to the arch, and loading and loading and loading. We spent last weekend cleaning and arranging and enjoying Holland one more time. Our first leg planned is a short hop to Grand Haven. I want to see the Musical Fountain from the marina. We can do a systems check as we do this 4 hour sail. Pictures coming soon. We are exhausted and will relax for a few days as we sail. Love to all.

Just about ready to go.

We are getting there!

Dale has been hard at work with some help from me. I am best at cleaning and assisting. We added solar panels, a water maker, forward facing sonar, a new anchor chain, a new closet (a must for shoes) and did the usual painting the bottom of the boat, attaching the radar, GPS, trac vision (satellite TV) and clean, clean, clean. We are cleaning now and decided to replace the screens too. We also bought new outdoor cushions, rugs and some kitchen things. I know there is more, but I hate to bore you. We are still looking at leaving Holland by June 1. We will go through the Great Lakes, through the Erie Canal, Hudson River then down to the Chesapeake Bay then to the ICW south. Next post will be our departure date.