Back Home Againnnn in Indiana....

Well here I am sitting in our kitchen in Evansville after a dream-come-true of a retirement vacation! What a way to begin the retired life, right?!
We pulled into Muskegon on Sept. 23 in the early afternoon. We motored all the way that day from Frankfort. There was no wind to speak of,  well not going our way anyway!
Once we got tied up and shore-power hooked up, we bagan the process of packing. We decided to only take the clothes on Friday, knowing we had the weekend to strip the boat of everything else. We loaded the car and headed to Grand Haven to spend the weekend with Kathe and Doug. It was sooo nice to sleep in a bed and take a shower without having to keep pulling a chain or pushing a button to keep  the water running! I get that it's a conservation measure, but holy cow what a pain. The water just gets hot enough and it goes off!
On Saturday we went back to the boat and began off-loading everything else... cushions, charts, food, sails, everything. That took the better part of Saturday. Boy were we tired by the time we got home that day!
On Sunday, we winterized the boat. What a fun time that was!! By the end of the day, Jonah was ready to be placed in her cradle for the winter.
When we got to  Torrensen's on Monday, the had already winterized the engine and had her in the "well" to  be pulled. We didn't hang around for that process but I did take a couple of  pictures and have attached them for you.
Monday afternoon found us heading for Chicago and a visit with Skip's Mom. She always has a honey-do list for him and this visit was no exception. He cleaned gutters and did a few other things for her while we were there. It was so good to see her.
We left Chicago Wednesday afternoon and were finally heading for home. We were excited to be driving South, knowing that our destination would  be our home. The house looked so good when we got there. The dogs were even glad to see us! Well, Millie was excited at first then gave us the cold shoulder for a while. But she soon warmed up.
Well since we've been home, we have been going non-stop! Cooper had a soccer game on Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning; Austin had a football game (he plays tight-end for Boonville) Friday night; we went to a play at UofE on Saturday night with Ed and JoAnne and Sunday all the kids were here for dinner. What a wonderful day it was! We were back in our home church and Sunday school class and the family was all here to visit.
As good as it is to be home, we can not replace the amazing summer we had. The blueness of the Lakes; the red sandstone and pink beach we saw; the pristine-ness of the UP and the Wisconsin coastline. All wonderful gifts from God's creation. The Painted Rocks; Devils Island in the Apostles; wonderful people we met (Neils and Vicki; Jeanne and Micheal; the list is endless); the incredible meals we ate. Every bit of the trip was such a blessing for us.
We are wintering  the boat in  Michigan because we want to make a similar trip next year. There was so  much we didn't see and do.
Thanks to all of you for your prayers, visits and support this summer. And thanks for keeping up with us on our blog. I hope you enjoyed reading our story as we sailed around this summer.
Lon, I pasted the last page back in the book for you! Hope you enjoy it!!
Love and Blessings,
Skip and Margo

Sept 19 - 22

Well now... We've had a great few days!
We left Leland about noon after waiting out the  rain and wind that came through there the night before. Crazy wind! When we left it was still overcast and threatening rain. The  sun did come out and we ended up having a pretty nice sail. We pulled into Frankfort about 7:30.
We were yelled at by the fisher people on the warf as we came in. Seems as though we were invading their space. So  Skip got into a discussion with one of the locals. 
The next day, Tuesday, we left Frankfort and headed to Manistee. We  waited until 10:30 to leave because the fog was pretty bad. Once we got out, the wind was out  of  the South at 10-18 all day. We had waves and swells of 3-5 feet most of the day. As the day progressed however, the wind sat down and the waves decreased. And the sun came  out.
We were in Manistee for two  nights waiting out the wind and other weather. Actually on Wednesday the weather was beautiful. Lots of  sun AND lots  of  wind! The Harbormaster, Frank (assistant) and his wife  Laurie (who also works there) are so nice and very accomodating. Manistee is a great little town. Grocery is within walking distance and the Riverwalk is so pretty.
We left there this morning, Thursday, and headed to Pentwater. So here we are, moored at Snug Harbor for the night. We walked down to  the Brown Bear Bar for dinner and was pleasantly surprised! The food was so good and the service was excellent. The  place was crowded whichis always a good sign.
So  tomorrow we are headed  for Muskegon... the final leg of our trip. It's been an amazing summer.  We've seen some of  God's greatest works and been able  to  view some wonderful historic places. Best of all, we've met some incredible people along the way and had he pleasure of dear friends and family join us for  part of our adventure.
By the way, our tanks that supply gas for our stove and oven ran out several days ago. So not  to  be outsmarted by the CNG tanks, I improvised by using my electric skillet as a "hotplate". I've attached a picture for you to get a sense of what I'm talking about.
Love and blessings,
Margo and Skip

Sept 16 - 18

Hi Everyone!
It's been a few days since my last post so  let me catch you up.
Last Thursday, after looking at the weather for Friday (9/16, Buddy's Birthday!) we felt confident we would  be able to  leave Mackinaw City. So we got up early and  prepared to take off. We had been in Mac City since Monday when the Patberg's left us. The wind got pretty ugly Monday afternoon and stayed that way through Thursday. We finally got a break late Thursday night. Ugly winds are 20 knots, gusting to 30! Not  a good time  to be on the water!
So we took off, passed under the Mackinac Bridge and the engine light came on. The engine had overheated. So we put up  the sails, turned around and headed back to  Mac City. The wind died...  I mean there was no  wind at all. So we called for a tow. We  have BoatUS thankfully and  it was paid  for but what an irritation. It took the tow boat an hour and a half to get to us (came from Cheboygan!) and cost us $700!!
He pulled us  into the Mackinaw City Municipal Marina. Shepler's (a boat yard, repair  shop, etc.) is right  next door and were able  to  come and work  on the engine.  A couple  hours later, we were on our way again.
We were just short of the bridge when the engine light came on again. This time we were able  to sail back  into the marina.  Shepler's came back,  I went to the office to  pay for a night there and after a couple  of  hours,  Skip  felt sure the boat was okay. We  wouldn't know  for sure until we were in the lake. Oh Joy!!
So  Saturday morning we got up  early again and headed out. This time the engine worked just fine and we made it to Charlevoix and stayed there Saturday night. We left there Sunday morning in time to  catch the 8am draw bridge and headed to our next destination.
As always, Skip checked the  weather before we left and thought we would  have a decent sail as  we headed to Frankfort (our next stop). And we did have a good sail hitting 6-7 knots of boat speed. Once we  got into the opening of  Little Traverse Bay the wind picked up to 20 knots and stayed there the rest  of the day. We  were leaning pretty good! Things kept falling off the shelves  in the cabin - clothes, cutting boards, our fan! The  cabin looked like a teenagers bedroom!!! Stuff everywhere!!
We decided to pull into Leland instead of going all the way to  Frankfort. We  were both exhausted from fighting the wheel. 
So  here we are. In Leland and it's raining and the wind is supposed to  be  between 15-20 out of the South! We may or may not leave today!
Hope everyone is well. Kelly, I hope you  had fun visiting Wash. Chris said he drove your car while you were gone!!
Happy birthday to  Buddy  on 9/16 and to Katie on 9/19! You guys are growing up way to fast. Miss you a bunch.
Love  and blessings,
Margo  and Skip

Thursday Sept 15

Well we haven't moved since my last post! We  are still in Mackinaw City. The weather is not cooperating at all! Huge wind for the last 3 days. Ten to 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots with waves as much at 4-7. Not nice at all.
So we've taken a walk everyday; we're both reading like crazy; and we're still married!! ;-)
It appears as though the wind will die this afternoon and we'll be able to take off tomorrow morning. We're getting anxious to get home and see the family.
That's all for now. Back  to my book!!
Love and  blessings,
Margo and Skip

I've attached a couple of pics. This is where we are now. The Coast Guard boat in the background is an ice cutter. We may need that if we stay much longer - it  was in the 30's this morning!

Monday Sept 12

Well we left Mackinac Island this morning, bound for Mackinaw City. Pat and Melba's car is here and they will head home from here. In fact they are probably having lunch someplace as I enter this. We had a great two days on Mackinac Island. Pat and Melba visited the fort and then the four of us went on a carriage ride tour. Very interesting and entertaining.
Skip and I will be in Mac City for a few days it looks like. The weather is supposed to turn ugly tonight and continue into tomorrow. There are small craft warnings already issued for tomorrow so we won't even attempt that.
When we leave we'll be headed south back to Muskegon where we will winter the boat. If all goes as planned we'll be home by the first of Oct.

Love and Blessings,
Margo and Skip

Wed Sept 7 and Thurs Sept 8

We spent the dayWednesday
We spent the morning at the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point. Amazing display of maritime history. We've been sailling over these shipwrecks all summer  and the museum brought it all into perspective. The weather on Superior is very  fickle and can change at a moments notice. The museum brings that home  in a very real way. 
We also toured the lighthouse at Whitefish Point. It's the oldest lighthouse on all the Great Lakes. Very facinating stuff. 
Got back to  the boat and headed back to Sault Ste. Marie. It was a beautiful day for a sail. The wind was perfect and we were able to sail all the way to  the locks! At one point we were clocking 9.3 knots! Perfect day, probably the  best sail of our trip.
We locked through the American locks in the MacArthur lock. There was a crowd of people in the stands watching as we locked down to lower St.Mary's River.
We pulled in to George Kemp Harbor, tied up and headed to the Palace Saloon  for dinner. Great meal after a absolutely great day.

Thursday
We spent the day cleaning the boat, grocery shopping and waundering around the Soo. We did  go to the locks to  watch the process from the other side. Pat and Melba joined us for dinner. They will  be joining us on the boat tomorrow and Ed and JoAnne will be headed for home.. We've had so much fun with the Furniss's. Next year guys!!
Love and Blessings,
Margo and Skip

Monday Sept 5 & Tuesday Sept 6

Monday
We left De Tour Village this morning for a motor down the St. Mary's River headed to Salt Ste. Marie. It  was cold when we left De Tour at noon. We waited for the wind to die down before we left. That made for a long day as we didn't arrive at the Soo until 8 at nine. We got tied up and walked to a nearby restaurant for dinner. By the time we got home it was almost 10!
What a day!

Tuesday
A great day on the water today... lots of sunshine but no wind at all. Saw lots of freighters and tankers today and not much else!
So we are at Whitefish Point now, took a walk on the beach and are now having poo poos on the deck while wild rice soup cooks away below.
I'm attaching pics of Ed and JoAnne and Skip and I at Whitefish. Gracie, the picture is for you!
Love and blessings,
Margo and Skip