At 6:15 am on Tuesday, June 27th we left the dock at Charlevoix City Marina with clear skies and two feet or less seas.  Ready for the 6:30 am Bridge Street Bridge opening, on our way to Harbor Springs, Michigan.  We’ve got a big cruise today…20 miles 🙂  At 8:30 am we arrived at Walstrom Marine in Harbor Springs.  A big thank you to Torrie, Dave and Zack for getting us into a great slip in a great little resort town so close to the 4th of July!

Harbor Springs is a natural harbor on the north side of the east – west oriented Little Traverse Bay.  It is very protected from winds in almost any direction.  Waterway Guide: “Harbor Springs is a popular destination with good reason.  This is one of the finest and most elegant resort towns on Lake Michigan; a wide variety of dining, shopping and entertainment venues are within walking distance of the marinas.”  True statement.  This is a beautiful little resort town with great restaurants, shopping, marinas, water sports, amazing homes, beaches, “old money” estates and a full calendar of community events.  Many events are weekly – Thursday night Street Musique, twice a week farmers market, several nights a week dinner theater…  Then there are multitude of summer season events.

We are having a blast during our 8 day stay: taking in all the events, visiting all the restaurants and bars and also a little shopping.  The only bummer is that the weather is not what everyone says is their normal summer weather.  Come on sunshine and warmth!!

6:15 am leaving Charlevoix City Marina

Front and center for the 6:30 am Bridge Street Bridge opening. Pine River channel to Lake Michigan

Steve has quite an eye for spotting Freedom Fenders, an innovative fender he invented. This guy was working on his boat and we stopped to ask how he liked them.  He said he’s had them for at least 10 years while doing some extensive cruising and used them in every possible docking situation and configuration, and loves them!

Freedom Fenders at Walstroms Marine!

One of the many amazing houses in Harbor Springs, MI

One of the waterfront parks in Harbor Springs, MI

Kilwins – chocolates, fudge and ice cream!

First thought: Why does a fire hydrant need an antenna?  Answer: That’s not an antenna, its a snowplow marker.  Second thought: Well there is no way in hell I will ever live in a place where the hydrants need snowplow markers…much less snowplow markers on springs!!!

Harbor Springs Area Fire Department

Harbor Springs Area Fire Department

Turkey’s Cafe & Pizzeria…excellent salad and veggie pizza!!  and a bar!!

Steve went to the Christ book signing.  Stood in line all day, the first one in line and the last one.  Christ was a no-show…AGAIN!

One of the downtown street in Harbor Springs, Michigan

Another downtown street in Harbor Springs, Michigan 🙂

Its almost July dammit!! Everyone tells us this is an unusual summer…”its usually warm with little or no wind by now”…..really?!!