10/28/13 Halloween Update From Barefoot'n!

           Happy Halloween
           from Barefoot'n!  
Can you believe that it is the end of October already?  Hi everyone from the ghoulish crew aboard Barefoot'n.  On our last blog, we were in Mackinac Island, MI.  Since then, we have covered a lot of territory.  We are currently in Columbus, Mississippi.  So I have some catching up to do with ya'll.  

The coast of Michigan is really pretty, especially in the Upper Michigan area.  The waters there reminded us of being in the Bahamas with the blue, crystal clear UNSALTED water.  Michigan has this popular T-shirt that says "Lake Michigan....Unsalted".   

OK, so from Mackinac Island, we bounced down the coastline of Michigan and made several stops. So in order, here is where we stopped and then I will try to pick the best pics that we took from the area.  

St. Ignace to Beaver Island

Mackinac Bridge

Read this.  Interesting 

Beaver Island, MI

Beaver Island had an interesting history with the Mormons.  Read the sign to the right.

2,000 foot cargo vessel.  BIG boy

From Beaver Island, we headed to Petosky, Charlevoix and Leland.  

Petosky Clock Tower

Inlet to Charlevoix, MI

Charlevoix Marina

Waterside Amphitheater in Charlevoix, MI

The fishing village of Leland, MI

Really cool

Massive sand dunes along the lake

 From there we traveled to Frankfort, Ludington, Muskegon, Grand Haven, South Haven, Michigan City and Hammond.  whew!  Michigan in a nutshell.

Lighthouses at most inlets

Because I like this!  :o)

USS Silversides in Muskegon, MI

Anchored at sand dune in Muskegon, MI

Note To Self:  When you are trying to climb up a huge dune, the sand gets really HOT!  Just ask Heidi.  ouchy.

Grand Haven lighthouse

World famous Pronto Pups!  

Festival held every year since WWII

Lake Michigan gets kicked up!

We were fortunate to have met Loopers from Grand Haven and they invited us to their beach cottage.  OK, this wasn't just any cottage.  It was built in 1928 and is on top of a huge dune.  The view was spectacular.  To get perspective, I took a pic of the staircase leading to the beach.  Check it out.

View from atop dune in Grand Haven, MI

The way down!  Keep looking

Proud Grandpa with Gwen and the boys

In South Haven, Michigan, we were close enough for the Indiana 'gang' to visit us.  Randy's daughter Gwen, and the grandsons spent the weekend with us on the boat.  We also got to visit with Randy's son Brad and his girlfriend Beth, and Randy's brother and sister-in-law Steve and Kim.   From South Haven, we stopped in Michigan City and Hammond.

As much fun as Michigan was, it was time to be thinking about moving south by making our way to the Calumet River near Chicago and head down the rivers.

                                                 And so.....

...the adventure continues! 

October Update from Barefoot'n!

Mackinac Island, MI

After checking into U.S. Customs at Drummond Island, MI, we headed for Mackinac Island.  What a true Michigan treasure!  The water is island blue and crystal clear.  The marina was at the base of the fort and within walking distance to everything.  

They do not allow cars, so the mode of transportation is either bicycles or horses.  

         

Guess which one we chose?

Your carriage awaits mi lady!

 We enjoyed the horses so much that we went trail riding with a guide and then went for a tour guided carriage ride.  There are more than 500 horses on the island.  So needless to say, one of the most important jobs on the island is the 'scooping up after' the horses. The next day we headed up the hill to Ft. Ma and boned up on our history.  They also had a nice restaurant that you could have lunch outside and enjoy the view of the harbor.   

One evening just before sunset, we were treated to a tall ship that pulled into the marina for the night.  Way cool. 

Our carriage ride took us to the Grand Hotel where Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve was filmed.  The hotel boasts the world's largest front porch.  

OK, so here is my favorite!  The Arch Rock is a natural limestone formation and stands on the Lake Huron shoreline of the island.  Look at the water....total awesomeness.  

Arch Rock

 

This is another view from the Arch Rock area.  

We enjoyed Mackinac Island so much and had so many pics that I thought I would dedicate one blog to just that place.  We were fortunate to have been able to enjoy Mackinac with our good Looper friends that we have met on our journey.  We have traveled with Bucket List and Sea Glide for quite a while and have had many adventures and lots of fun.  

Hamming it up with our Looper buds.  

From here, Barefoot'n will work down the coast of Michigan. So for now.....

the adventure continues!!