The Badger
View from our slip at Harbor View Marina
We said our good-byes with lots of hugs and tears and left our home port of Sturgeon Bay, WI on Wednesday morning, August 7, around 7 am, arriving approximately 6 hours later In Ludington, Michigan. Bruce Boyce tossed us our last line as we started out on our Great Loop Adventure. WaterMarks handled the crossing very well. Seas were somewhat calm until about 15 miles off the Michigan shore and then became a little mixed. We pulled into the gas dock at Harbor View Marina to our awaiting friends, Gary & Kathi Lindquist, who then helped us get this 15'+ wide vessel into a 17' slip. Captain Conrad did a great job of getting her into that slip, only to find out that our bow pulpit extended way over the front dock and we had to move. I guess the old saying "practice makes perfect" definitely came into play here.
Ludington is a nice stop for boaters on the move, also home to the famous Badger steam-powered car ferry. Town is close, lots of restaurants within walking distance, and even has a "dial-a-ride" service that will pick you up at the marina and take you anywhere you need to get to in town for $1. The city has built a beautiful park area alongside its marinas that offers a large play area for the kiddos and a nicely paved walking path through the park and out to Lake Michigan. Along the path are numerous info stops relating the history of the city. There are numerous outdoor music opportunites if you happen to be near on the right date.
Today we celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary. Looking forward to grilling steaks and a bottle of champagne later this evening, and saying a final good-bye to Gary & Kathy.