Sunday, June 10

Back to the White Label after a kayak tour of Little Traverse Bay

Partying - Little Traverse Bay style

Harbor Springs Marina

Harbor Springs

Our next cruising ground will be the eastern shore of Lake Michigan - our first stop, Little Traverse Bay. Three charming harbor towns are located here, each welcoming summer visitors with excellent marinas & resorts, plentiful shopping & restaurants and many sandy swimming beaches (for the brave at heart - water temperature is 60 degrees). 
It was an interesting 60 mile run - we left the Mackinac Island State Dock at 7:30 am in perfectly calm conditions.  Shortly after crossing under the Mackinac Straits Bridge we entered into Lake Michigan and the winds began to build.   A mild chop,  built to white caps & a very bumpy ride, as we continued upwind in this westerly 15 mph wind.  When we turned south and headed for the eastern shore the winds began to lighten & we entered into Little Traverse Bay in the same calm conditions that we had started in 3 hours earlier.  This is very typical of these waters........... conditions can change on a dime.  It is imperative that you keep well informed of what might be brewing.
Our first stop was Harbor Springs - an upscale, summer resort - once home to such families as Ford, Upjohn and Gamble.  Lovely summer homes line the shoreline, many in scale with the lake ...... and that means big ............. the boats in the marina were equally impressive. 
There is a wonderful bike path that winds through the charming downtown and into the quaint older  neighborhoods along the water front.  These were the days of the lovely old front porches and beautiful front lawns - today the tradition lives on thanks to these dedicated homeowners.

Bike path - Harbor Springs

It was a perfect afternoon for a kayak tour of Little Traverse Bay - people were swimming, sailing & yes even anchored enjoying a cocktail or two - it was fun chatting with the locals - they were a friendly bunch.