We left Frankfort at around 6:30 a.m. to get an early start to our 65ish mile journey to Ludington.
Another morning when we were up before the sun.
Only the fishermen/women were out this early.
Down the Channel
I love taking pictures early in the morning.
Now I don’t like getting up early but when I do, I really enjoy the show.
With the sunrise behind us, we move down the channel and head toward the markers.
Out to Lake Michigan
Once again, we leave a safe harbor and head out to Lake Michigan.
Sam likes to call it Lake Washing Machine because the water comes at you from all sides.
But this morning, the force wasn’t too bad.
We definitely felt the machine but it was set on low.
Over to Ludington
It was easy to find the channel heading into Ludington.
This magnificent marker had a lot of visitors.
We found the marina.
Got fuel and a pump-out first before we got into our slip.
Sights Around the Marina
As we got settled in, we saw a lot of boats because it was Labor Day Weekend.
You know how much traffic comes with that!
But we did see some magnificent sights unexpectedly.
The Badger is a ferry that takes cars, trailer trucks, and people across Lake Michigan.
Pretty impressive.
Going to Town
I don’t even know how many looper boats came into the Ludington Municipal Marina but enough to make a fun party!
The town of Ludington, Michigan is a great place.
There are so many restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, etc. right within walking distance.
I just love towns like this.
Docktails!
Now when two or more loopers are gathered, there must be docktails.
A couple of boats had just finished the loop and returned here to their home marina.
One boat was just getting ready to begin.
And then there are all of us in the middle.
Trudging along.
Joyfully.
Night Sky
While we were in Ludington, we heard that we may be able to see the Northern Lights.
I was so excited!
The first night.
Too cloudy.
The second night.
Too sleepy.
I don’t know what happened.
I should have set an alarm.
But after going into Ludington and having docktails, I was exhausted and slept right through any chance I had of seeing those famous Lights.
Oh well.
It’s still on the bucket list.
We spent about 15 years at Ludington before moving to Mackinaw City. Loved everything about that town except for the ferry Badger. The soot from that coal fired boat will ruin everything it drops on over time. It’s not so bad when it runs two trips a day during the summer, but in the fringe seasons it sits in Ludington overnight spewing that crap. It’s the only reason we left that port.
We heard that the marina next to Ludington Municipal gets all the soot. It is a beautiful area but that would be a nuisance.
Docktails, pubs, I am noticing a theme here! I was on the 0400 to 0800 watch an share your enthusiasm about the clear starry skies seen while on our waterways. We should be at home port in 24 hours. We passed the entrance to the Tennessee – Tombigbee early this morning. I will send you some pics of the chart.
You may be on to something there! Yes, would love some pictures since we will be heading that way in our future.