Day 5: Traverse City to "Charlevoix the Beautiful"

Cousin Jenny's Pasties, Traverse City

Our first pasties! French potato and steak & potato.

We had a relaxing morning in Traverse City while we waited for some thunderstorms to pass through Grand Traverse Bay. I took advantage of the wait to walk to Cousin Jenny's Cornish Pasties to try pasties (pass-tee) for the first time! (I've been wanting to try them since our last boat trip up here in 2010). It was a really cute, quaint little restaurant and I got 2 pasties, and extra gravy, to go.

Wet Ink on Grand Traverse Bay

Dana takes the wheel on Grand Traverse Bay

Welcome to Charlevoix!

Before leaving Traverse City, we added 15 gallons of fuel to the boat (at $4.79/gal) and enjoyed a great ride to Charlevoix. The 45 mile trip to Charlevoix took about 2 hours and besides the clouds, we had a wonderful trip! Hal, the friendliest harbormaster you'll ever meet, greeted us at the dock to help us tie up. And true to Charlevoix fashion, the sun came out as soon as we docked!

Hanging out on Seapickle in Charlevloix

Charlevoix Marina

After settling in, we walked a few blocks to Kilwin's to fill Ben's tummy full of ice cream (again). Then back at the dock, Ben & Dennis made friends with Tom and Susan from Holland, MI aboard Just Ducky. They invited us to join them for dinner at The Landings on Lake Charlevoix in a few hours.

Christa & Dana sunning on Wet Ink

Dana braving the water, after accidentally falling off the boat

Of course we accepted, and set off to spend a couple hours boating & swimming on Lake Charlevoix before dinner. The water was a cold 66 degrees, but we still enjoyed getting some sun and swimming (for me at least).

Boating up to the Landings

Dinner at the Landings

 It's always fun to be able to boat to dinner and dock right alongside the restaurant. The Landing's, along with having a great atmosphere, also has really good food! We enjoyed getting to know Tom & Susan, who recently retired and are "homeless" and living on their boat. We sure are jealous :-)

Charlevoix Community Band preforming right next to the marina

Cocktails aboard Just Ducky

 When we arrived back at the marina, the Charlevoix Community Band was performing next to the dock in the bandshell. Just can't beat live music and time with new friends in such a beautiful place!

Sunset at the lighthouse

Trip Details:

Left Traverse City at 12:15pm, arrived Charlevoix at 2:10pm.

Approx. 45 miles, and 23 gallons of fuel burned.

Weather: cloudy & rainy in the morning, followed by sunshine in Charlevoix

Light winds, south/southwest