6/30/15-7/3 Leland and Traverse City

We stayed in Leland 4 years ago on our first night of the loop.  This time, we visited a few of the local shops and had dinner at Bluebird just up the hill from the marina.  When we departed for Traverse City the waters again were calm, but by the time we arrived at the Duncan Clinch Marina (downtown Traverse City) the wind was really kicking from the north.  They had told us there was one spot available on the wall for a boat our size, but when we pulled in, they yelled that we were too big and they had nothing else available.  Fortunately we had a backup plan.  Jay Kraft (we bought our boat from him in 2011) had one of his (sales) boat slips empty at Center Pointe Marina just up the west side of the bay.  He told us we were welcome to use it for as long as we needed for $35.00 per night.  Center Pointe is a building with a number of businesses inside, including a ballroom which is often used for wedding receptions and parties.  On the main floor, they have very nice individual shower rooms and restrooms as well as a free laundry for transient boaters.  I think we hit the jackpot here.  Not only was the slip a good deal, we talked with Jay and ordered a bimini from a company in the state of Washington and it will be placed in the new Nordic Tug that Jay ordered so we can avoid shipping charges.  We hope to have it within a couple of weeks. 

Full moon off the stern

7/3/15
We took our rental car to  town to pick up our mail.  While riding around, we found a lovely old neighborhood of well-kept Victorian homes. After parking the car, we did a short walking tour and saw a sign on one of the homes across from the library that said, "Garden Open".  The homeowners make their yard available to anyone who is interested in touring and it was fabulous.  The lady who owns the house is an artist and you could see her artistic touches everywhere!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a few blocks away from the garden house, we found a little restaurant called the Blue Heron on Union Street.  We highly recommend this luncheon spot.  The food was really good. 

This weekend is not only the 4th of July Weekend, but there is a carnival and an airshow with the Thunderbirds. The Cherry Festival starts on July 5th. 

We drove to Northport for a jazz concert,

but the weather turned very cool and then it started to rain, so we headed back to the boat.  The couple on the boat next to us are very nice.  They are here with their two children and some other relatives. Jeff, the dad, is a pilot for Delta Airlines.