Excusez Moi

Harbor Springs is the Cape Cod of Michigan; yachts everywhere, kids running around in nicer boats than Wayne's of Westsport (sorry Wayne I couldn't resist even though you are not here), tennis courts galore (with people playing in their whites.), cafes at every corner and people dressed in their best preppy wear at all times.  There is no doubt that we are part of the ordinary people that are just visiting. 

The gated community at the point is supposedly the "old money" here, mostly from the automotive gaints of three generations ago.  Of course, we couldn't get in with our bikes, in fact vehicles are not allowed in the community.  People get "taken" to their mansions via horse drawn carriage, excuse me.  Even the owners park outside the gates and then have to take the carriages to their places. 

As for my dock neighbors, I am rubbing elbows with the big guys.  The 80 footer behind me, Chateau Thierry, is owned by the owner of Charles Industries, actually Joe Charles, who offered to help me with my bikes when my bicycle air pump gave up the ghost.  For a time there was another 80 footer in front and then this nice looking Hatteras beside me.

It was a pleasant stay here.  We rode our bikes up the hills to view some of the newer mansions and to see some of the country side.  We have now officially rode our folding bikes on the Loop  more than our regular bikes in the last 4 years in Windsor.  We have been using the dinghy as well.  Yesterday we spent some time anchored on a sand bar, swimming and watching all of the boat traffic. We also broke down and got a half dozen cookies from Tom's Mom's Cookies.  They are to die for, especially the oatmeal raisin. I hate to say this, even better than mom's.

On Monday we decided to stick our nose into Bay Harbor.  It is an old quarry that has been converted into an exclusive, I mean really exclusive, waterfront community.   The Yacht Club is private, even to visiting members from other Yacht Clubs and dockage is probably the priciest on Lake Michigan.

We then continued our journey to Charlevoix.  It was an easy cruise as it was only 18 miles in good conditions.  We got the noon drawbridge opening and were in our slip by 12:15.  Another impressive destination.  The marina was redone in 2008 and all conveniences are right near the marina.  The marina is actually located on Round Lake with the huge Lake Charlevoix just through the small strait to the east.  We will likely stay and enjoy this place for a few days.

Darn, the big guys keep following me.