Day 5 - Mackinaw City

We started our day around 9:00 am.  Jen didn’t sleep well last night so she started ham and cheese crescents before the family had woke up.  After breakfast, we strapped on our sneakers and walked over to Colonial Michilimackinac.  It was about a mile to the fort so we enjoyed the walk.  Coco came with us so she was glad to stretch her legs too!

The fort was originally established as a Catholic mission by the French in the 1600s and held until 1760 when the English took over just a few 20 years before losing the American Revolution. We learned about life at the fort and all kinds of shenanigans with the local Indians.  It was fun to imagine the area without the bridge in view.

On our walk back, we decided to order some BC Pizza and got it to eat on board.  Coco was exhausted after the walk and slept most of the rest of the day.  

We relaxed on the boat for most of the afternoon.  Around 4:00 pm the winds picked up and a nice storm blew through. 

We waited until the rain quit around 5:30 pm and then headed to dinner at The Hook.  It’s an elevated restaurant next door to our marina which provided a great view of our boat.  We played a game of Ticket to Ride while waiting for our food to arrive and really enjoyed the meal. 

After dinner, we headed to a local theater to watch Inside Out 2.  We have been waiting for the movie to open and today is the day!  It was a great show and we all really enjoyed it. 

After the movie, we stopped at the post office to put out the mail and then headed back to the boat.  Tyler and Jen watched a show together… although Jen fell asleep pretty much immediately so she’ll have to go back to watch again.  By 10:30 pm we were all in bed. Tomorrow we head to the island.  Excited for our next destination!

Weather: Sunny, a thunderstorm late afternoon 
Temps: Hi 72* Lo 59*
Winds: varied but pretty strong 
Waves: whitecaps on the straights
Travel Distance: 0 mi

Day 3 - North to Leland

We were up at 8:00a this morning for showers and breakfast... cereal and more bacon.  I sat outside on the back of the boat to do my morning devotions.  I love this so very much!

After I wrapped up, Scott and the kids had the kitchen cleaned up and we were ready to get underway.  The wind was significantly stronger today so we had some concerns that we would make it the next stop. 

We left the slip at 10:10a and had reached the end of the channel by 10:20a.  There were 3' rolling swells with chop mixed in.  Not too bad... considering what we had expected based on the winds.  We turned north and enjoyed a great trip up.  Because we were traveling with the wind, the waves didn't bother even as they grew larger on the way.  

We arrived just outside Leland around 11:45a but held short as the marina advised there was someone still in our slip.  The lake was quite calm here as its naturally protected so the kids and I sat up on the bow of the boat and relaxed in the sun while we waited.

 

Once the call on the radio came in, we proceeded to slip 7 at the Leland Township Marina.  Once we were secure, Jen responded to some project emails while Scott prepped our lunch sandwiches.

After lunch we walked into town to check out the shops and walk through Fishtown and visit the dam.  

I was thrilled to find a mercantile with a great supply of items we would regularly need.  So took a moment buy some groceries that weren't available last night in Frankfort.  As we continued our walk, we found the cutest book shop with a outdoor space set up for painting canvas, ceramics and other crafts.  Scott asked Sammy if she was interested, and boy was she!  She and I spent the next 2 hours meticulously painting a very sweet princess statue.  Clearly our girl had a vision... and it turned out great!  In the meantime, the boys finished a walking tour of town, bought some smoked fish and crackers and then headed back to the boat.

 

We have very slow internet and next to no cellular connection either.  Its amazing how much we rely on technology... even when walking around town or trying to meet up.  

When we all were back, I called on a restaurant Scott had suggested and the hostess said she could seat us immediately if we came right away but otherwise, they couldn't take a reservation for later.  So, quickly we all pulled our shoes back on, put the dog in her crate, and off we went again for dinner.  We ate at the Cove... burger, tenderloin, and a New Orleans fish & pasta plate that Scott raved about.  Then we took a short walk to find some ice cream and then headed back to the boat.

OK.  So this is an inside joke but Scott has this thing with big trees.  I think its simply being in awe of how old it must be and to imagine what the area was like when it was just planted.  I cannot tell you how many times he's insisted that the kids and I stand next to a big tree for a photo.  So, imagine our surprise when we heard another dad stop his kids to talk about a tree.  We turned around super quick only to see this beauty...  So big, they left the tree in tact and stopped the curb and road short of its roots.  Because of its sheer size we insisted that Scott be in the photo this time!  Enjoy it!

Sammy and Scott both took showers aboard and we just took it easy.  It looks like rain coming in overnight so we put on a movie and just cuddled in.  I love sleeping aboard when it rains!

Warmth and Waves - Day 7

It was another beautiful day!  We relaxed all morning... the kids were content watching movies and playing their iPads while the adults enjoyed the view from the verandah.  Scott made eggs for breakfast again while the kids and I did Bible.  

Eventually we made it out to the pool area.  It was close to 12:00 noon and Sammy was a little upset so we decided to grab some snacks from the restaurant.  Sammy had her favorite while the rest of us split some quesadillas under the shade pavilion.  As the week goes on, and my memory of Spanish improves, and its gotten much easier to communicate with the wait staff.

We have really enjoyed these round sitting areas around the pool.  They look like hot tubs but are exactly the same temp as the pool (which is really warm).  

Scott and Tyler spent some time playing in the sand by the ocean while I played with Sammy in the pool.  When they came back, Sammy took over playing with Daddy and the whole pool area echoed with her laughter.

Scott, the kids and I headed up to the condo a little after 2.  Our faces peeled today and the fresh layer of skin is really tender so I didn't want to risk getting another sunburn.  The kids did their own thing while Scott and I relaxed in the living room and enjoyed some quiet conversation.

I made snacks to hold us over but Tyler preferred some M&Ms.  From the kitchen I heard, "Oh No!"  When I asked what was the matter, he had that same look on his face and believe it or not, he had lost another tooth!  Wow!  You cannot make this stuff up!

JC and Mary stayed out most of the afternoon and when they returned it was close to supper time.  We haven't eaten off site much on this trip so we decided to do so tonight.  Sammy asked if we could go to the restaurant that had dancing last year.  So we did.

It was a wonderful meal.  The wait staff again was super accommodating and the food tasted great.  We got back to the condo around 8:00 pm and started our movie night... Megamind.

After that, I made Sammy a chocolate shake.  She was VERY excited to have one again and I was very proud of my creativity in pulling it off.  Until Scott pointed out the blender that's sitting on the counter.  Oh well... it was made with love and I'm sure she will love it regardless :)

We tucked the kids in bed and then headed out to the verandah for our ice cream.  But we didn't stay long.  The power kept flicking on and off and had the kids worried so I came in to be closer to them.  We all decided it was best to call it a night and were asleep before 11.

When asked what their favorite part has been so far:

• Tyler - the experience of swimming so fast with my flippers
• Sammy - the pool and french fries