Charlevoix, Lake Michigan, Michigan

We left Leland Township Harbor yesterday at 7:40 am under partly cloudy skies headed for the resort community of Charlevoix. The wave heights and wind speeds were a little higher than optimal cruising weather but tolerable. Once again we were almost the only boat on the lake. I guess everyone is waiting for warmer weather and lake temps!

At 11:15 we arrived at Pine River Channel to the Bridge Street Bridge into Round Lake. Charlevoix is uniquely located on an isthmus between Lake Michigan, Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix. Beautiful area! The Bridge Street Bridge, with a closed vertical clearance of 16 feet, was the first bridge we encountered with our newest WhoCares. With our height of 19 feet, we required an opening. Between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm the bridge will only open on the hour and half-hour. With the likelihood of a considerable wind-driven current and other traffic in the channel, we timed our transit for a short wait. After entering Round Lake, the Charlevoix City Marina was almost immediately to starboard. Great location, and I have to say it again, beautiful area.

The dock master came out to the boat to welcome us as we docked, another southwest Floridian…I’m amazed at how many people we have met in Michigan who winter on the gulf coast of Florida! After a visit to the Dock Master’s office to take care of business, we headed out to explore Charlevoix.

Charlevoix City Marina, adjacent to a beautiful waterfront park, is only one block from Bridge Street with restaurants, bars, a gourmet deli, bakeries, fudge shops and a wide range of shopping opportunities. We walked the short distance to the Bridge Street Bridge to get some pics from a different perspective and enjoyed an art and crafts fair and the picturesque sights of the city. After picking up a Charlevoix sweatshirt and fleece (it’s still cold up here dammit! Shorts are ok but you need a jacket!), we picked the Bridge Street Tap Room for lunch and a flight of brews with a beautiful view of Round Lake and the Marina.

We met new friends, Doug and Whitney. They were our neighbors across the dock and we had a great time hanging out with them for our two days in Charlevoix. We did more wandering, shopping, eating and playing today. Yesterday the weather was beautiful except for a cold wind but today wasn’t so nice – off and on rain. We didn’t let that stop us and still managed to enjoy ourselves despite the weather. Thank you Doug and Whitney for a great White Fish dinner and a good time at The Villager Pub! Hope to see you down the “road!”