Milw. to Chalevoix summer trip

[Escapade]

Cutting cheese- Oh I Mean Edge
Oh that hurt!.. We should be up near Charlevoix during last week in July. So far 5 Searays commited and one other a posiblility. We are going to shoot down the Michigan coat on way back to Ludington then to Sheboygan and Milwwaukee. Days like this I'm getting a little restless.

Mike

 

[sbw1]

I heard yesterday that the bulldozer is still sitting on a pile of dirt at the marina project. Does anyone know what the heck is taking so long to complete this project?

 

[SaltyDog]

I don't know why but can confirm they are not really that close to being done. We were up that way on land two weeks ago and it is (the marina grounds) still a big pile of dirt. With the rain today must be a muddy pile of dirt.

Heads, showers and laundry are still not operational. According to the marina (as of today), they have showers available off site and they will give you a ride. Bathrooms are still at the Beaver Island Ferry Dock and open to the public 24/7.

The park area is supposed to be completed towards the end of June and the bathhouse at the marina within a week or two. For what it is worth, I would not hold my breath. Construction, always seems to take longer than you plan.

 

[sbw1]

Government in "action."

 

[Escapade]

The city dock master has never responded back with arrangnets to fit us all in. Looks like we will be in Frankfort for three days. We hooked up with Jacobons. Thinking about renting a car and checking the area out for future trips. We might day trip up to the islands. Any advice on withc is best? We all agree we are big fans of the Michigan Coast.

 

[sbw1]

Which islands are you thinking about? Lots of choices.

 

[Escapade]

The Manitou Islands, I fugured they look like a great day trip out of Frankfort. Any first hand info on them even web sites would be useful!

Thanks,

Mike

 

[sbw1]

The Manitou Islands, I fugured they look like a great day trip out of Frankfort. Any first hand info on them even web sites would be useful!Thanks,Mike

The best way to do the Manitous is from Leland, not Frankfort. Leland is a geat port with good places to eat and the islands are an easy run of 45 minutes or so. The south island is inhabited by park rangers. You need to achor in the natural harbor in 20 feet of water and dingy into shore. Or you can drop people off at the dock but can not stay or tie up. A ferry takes hikers and campers to the island on a daily schedule. The hiking is rigorous and make sure you bring water and bug spray. If you camp you have to hang your food as the chipmunks will eat through your tent to get to it.
The north island is uninhabited. It has a dock to drop people off on, but the dock is designed for the ferry and is very tricky to approach in a small boat. The camping on this island is fantastic and you will not likely see anyone during your stay.
That part of the lake has lot of small islands that are fun to explore.

 

[Escapade]

Thank you for the input I'll go grab the charts and do some looking.
Hope the weather is kind to you. It look like they were picking up as they cross the pond!
We had 7.3 inches for the last 24 hours and it is still coming.
Mike

 

[sbw1]

Just got a report on the city marina project from a person who boats out of Charlevoix. The project is being built by a company with union workers who are sticklers for work rules. The workers do not work on weekends. As soon as it rains, they stop work and go home. Work ethic is pretty much nonexistent. The June 30 deadline is unlikely to be met.

 

[Escapade]

That speaks volumes to me. I fully understand why the Marina staff had an air of frustration to their voices. We plan an visiting the area by renting a car in either Frankfort or Ludington. We will spend three or more days in each port.

 

[sbw1]

We stayed at Charlevoix two days ago. The marina is very nice and it's all done. The staff is a bit disorganized and they still use a waiting list that does not seem to work. They tell you you won't get in today so you go to Northwest and buy a slip. Then when you call them on the radio, they say come on over. This is one of the reasons we stopped going there a few years ago. They also have no spring pilings between the slips which means you boat will be run into on a windy day. Word on the street is the marina staff had no input into the design.

 

[Escapade]

We made it to Frankfort and rented a car to Charlevoix. Had same inpression, Marina looked very nice. I spoke to a few boat owners and they said it was a bit of a trick to get into. That was some nice blue water though!. Enjoyed the town drooled over some of the summer homes and the boat houses with them. Next year we may go south of Grand Haven and see what that area has to offer. We sure love Michigan! Thanks for all your input.
Mike