Saugatuck, MI

(Monday Aug 13 - Dist: 45.6 mi; Avg Speed: 9.8 mph;
        Seas: 2 feet; TTT: 5:00 hrs)

A neat photo op but somewhat unexpected from all of the weather forecasts that we referenced.  We were expecting light and variable winds with waves less than a foot.  The seas did look benign but the gentle 2 foot rollers were hitting us on the beam causing us to roll from side to side.  It was a two gravol trip.

The not predicted fog was patchy and low lying.  If you look hard you can just see the shiny new hard top of our travelling companions on Bade Boomer.  You may have to enlarge the photo to see it.  They kept going out of sight even though we were less than one half mile apart.

Things did not get much better when we arrived at the marina on Kalamazoo Lake.  We pulled into our finger dock but it was not as long as promised so we could not get off the boat.  When I tried to back in, despite getting assurances that the slip was deep enough, it was not.  We got stuck in the mud and still could not get off the boat.  Well they finally found another slip for us and we headed for Saugatuck which was across the lake from us.

The town was very nice with lots of shops, eating and drinking establishments, people and an excellent waterfront.  The businesses know that they have a gem of a town and charge accordingly.  Dockage rates at $3 per foot on the town side are double the rate of most marinas in Michigan.  Thus the reason we are across the small lake near the town of Douglas.  It is only a long par 5 across and there is a shuttle service which only costs 50 cents for seniors.  I even walked it once in about 20 minutes.

We met another boat from New Zealand named Headquarters.  They just started the Loop the day before.  They bought their Sea Ray in Holland and got as far as Saugatuck, about 14 miles, their first day.  Tony and Shirley are great: they joined the Bades and us at an outdoor patio on the water for 8 or so pitchers of beer.  Another couple who BBQ'd with us in Frankfort joined us a little later as well so don't jump to any snap conclusions about our little party.  Remember it is only American beer.

Well it was just more of the same for the two days; some strolling through the shops, some well deserved refreshments and a couple of good meals although Linda did regret the late night "key lime martini" that she had at the White House.  All in all a very good stop.