July 1-4, Harbor Springs, MI

Today we moved. The weather has been stormy, and the forecast for today was winds of 15-20 and waves of 2-4 feet. If conditions were as forecast we were going to stay in Mackinaw City until conditions improved.

First thing this morning we motored about 6 miles from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw City. As we got underway we found conditions much better than forecast. We had overcast skies, but no rain and wind of 7-10 mph. Lake Huron and Lake Michigan had waves of 1-2 feet. A welcome change and a good day to move the boat. So, we put everyone ashore except the Captain so the crew could see Mackinaw City and visit the Mackinac Point Light Lighthouse and Historic Mill Creek Park (with a zip line and climbing wall). We also need to move their car along with us to the next port. So, as the crew went touring, the Captain moved the boat 55miles to Harbor Springs, Michigan, a beautiful little town with a big Fourth of July celebration planned. We are happy to be here and have the 55 mile move behind us.

Nice 'cottages' as we approach Harbor Springs.

The Lighthouse at Harbor Springs is a welcome sight as we round the corner and enter the harbor.

Captain arrived with the boat about 3 pm (the marina staff got the lines and docking was easy) and the crew arrived with the car about 4:30. Everyone had a full day.

Our crew goes bowling.
Christopher, Ryan, Jack, Gracie, Julie, Tommy, Owen and Mia.

'Pirate' and Ryan at the minerature golf course.

The weather is overcast and cool and so we look for things to do with our crew that allow for the cooler weather. We go bowling in the morning and the high score is 106. Even so, we had lots of fun! In the afternoon we play minerature golf at a nice course in Petosky and then visit the Michigan Fish Hatchery at Oden where Brown Trout and Raiinbow Trout are hatched and grown for release into state waters. Good idea. Back to the boat for more Bananagram games. Fun on an overcast and cool day in Michigan.

Mia and John geting ready for the '4th'.

We share the marina with UNITY, a 131 foot Palmer Johnson motoryacht owned by Elena Ford, a great, great, granddaughter of Henry Ford. The boat is based in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, and spends a lot of time in Harbor Springs in the summer. The Ford family has been coming to Harbor Springs for many years.

Julie, Owen and Chris Branch at the new Bay Harbor Yacht Club.

Russ and Chris are hosts for our whole crew. We have a wonderdful dinner at the club followed by a 3rd of July fireworks show. Great warm up for the 4th. We get to meet Chris' grandson, William (10) who lives in Florida and is visiting for the week.

The 4th begins with a ten mile and 3 mile charity run. Several of our crew participate in the 3 mile run.
Ryan, Christopher, Julie, John, Tommy and Jack.

A 'dog look alike' contest.

Some look pretty close.

Julie paints faces.

Harbor Springs has a big 4th of July parade. Julie spreads our blanket and we get a ring side seat.
Julie, Tommy, Mia, Ryan and Gracie.

Linda and Mia watch the parade.

Parade starts with the 'veterans'. Everyone stands and claps as they pass by.

Anyone can be in the parade if they will decorate their bicycle.

Lots of old cars. This an early Ford with 'brass' trim.

Batmobile 2.

Volkswagen 'thing'.

This entry is for 'hot dogs'. Must have been 100 little sausage dogs and owners. Harbor Springs is a very 'dog friendly' town.

Bagpipes

Dinner theater dance group. Very energenic.

Another Volkswagen 'thing' with a great paint job for the 4th.

Tommy and Gracie shucking corn for our dinner.
Mia loves our corn. She ate three ears all by herself.

Ryan and John try out our dingy.

Tommy, John and Gracie.

Ryan and Tommy go for a swim out to the raft and back.
Water temperature is low 60's.

Harbor Springs is a great place to spend the 4th of July. We have a full day of activities for the whole family, a nice dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs on the lawn at the marina and watch a good fireworks show from our boat in the harbor. Harbor Springs is a magnet for people from all over the area and we are right in the middle of everything at the marina.

Owen checks out an Odawa totem pole.

Linda enjoys a garden.