Okeechobee, FL to Suttons Bay, MI

Restarting North America's Great Loop

July 17-July 24, 2017

As the well-known quote goes:  “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans".  When we left “At Last” in Boyne City, MI in September, 2015 we were planning to return in the spring of 2016 to complete our amazing Great Loop journey.  Alas, we had a few bumps in the road as life got in the way and our trip was delayed.  But after 22 months we are finally on our way! On July 17th, after packing, closing up the house, and getting my final infusion, we head to Michigan.  We spend our first night at my sister's in St. Petersburg, but then it is full speed ahead to Boyne City, MI.  We arrive at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 20th and are so excited when we see "At Last" in the water.

Our first sighting of "At Last" 

We are just in time for Dave to captain the boat as our surveyor finishes up the survey we are having done for insurance purposes.  It is so thrilling to be on the water again, even if it is for only 20 minutes.  

We spend the next few days provisioning the boat and waiting for Boyne Boat Yard to complete the last few items to get "At Last" in perfect shape for her long awaited cruise.  On Monday, the boat is hauled for a final time to have her thru-hull replaced and then she is put back in the water.  We walk into town for our final night in Boyne City.  It is a great little town located at the south east end of Lake Charlevoix.  Not far from town, Boyne Mountain, a resort known for its Michigan skiing, golf and spa, is located.  We visited it when we drove up in April to check on "At Last". We found Boyne City and its surrounding to be a beautiful spot and should be considered as a destination for "loopers" who want to traverse Lake Charlevoix instead of just stopping in Charlevoix after passing under the US Highway 31 Bridge.

Charlie

July 25, 2017

Today is the day!  We are leaving!  I make one final run to get ice and a few last provisions.  Our caretaker of "At Last" for the last 22 months, Charlie, from Boyne Boat Yard comes to say good-bye.  The yard has taken good care of our boat and we are truly thankful for that.  We leave our slip and head toward Charlevoix.  We visited Charlevoix in April when we made our road trip to Michigan.  It is a resort community with several attractions and its harbor is considered to be among the most beautiful and protected in all the Great Lakes.  In April, we made it a point to visit the "Fairy and Mushroom Houses", which according to the Waterway Guide, resemble story book fantasies of whimsical, irregular stone houses with wave-like roof lines that were built in early 1900s by local architect and Realtor Earl Young.

Mushroom House-Charlevoix

Today, however, we will not be stopping in town.  We are anxious to head south on the east side of Lake Michigan.  We arrive at the US Highway 31 bridge in just enough time for the 12:30 opening.

US Highway 31 Bridge

We have decided travel toward Grand Traverse Bay.  This bay is 28 miles long and 10 miles wide and is divided by a narrow peninsula creating an east and west arm.  We decide to travel down the bay to Suttons Bay which is on the Leelanau Peninsula.  The weather is absolutely magnificent....bright blue skies, calm water, little to no wind.  "At Last" handles beautifully on her first voyage since 2015.  Dave and I quickly adjust to our cruising modes, and line handling, chart and instrument reading and living aboard become second nature.  We cruise down the bay, past Northport, to Suttons Bay and take a slip for the night at Suttons Bay Village Marina.  This municipal marina is set in a park with a beach right next door. Many shops and restaurants are just a block from the marina.  We celebrate our return to boating by enjoying a QAC (quiet afternoon cocktail) on the stern of "At Last" and then take a walk to town for a bite to eat.  We have travelled 41.5 miles today and finally, all is right with the world.