Ludington, MI 08/04 - 08/06/2021

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 08/04 & 08/06/2021

Day Miles: 26

Total Miles:  6908

Travel Days:  134

Total Days:  282

Wednesday:

We left Manistee and only had a 26 mile run to get to Ludington.  It was a nice cruise.  I did not even get the boat on plane, just putted along a 9-10mph.  We arrived in Ludington around lunch time and got tied up in our slip.

A little hazy on the Lake, but not a bad ride.

Entering Ludington

After getting settled, we packed a bag and headed up to enjoy the pool.  There have not been a lot of hot days lately, nor have many of the marinas had pools, so we thought we would take advantage of both.  Walking to the pool I asked a charter boat how they did fishing.  They said they did very well.  I jokingly said that they could drop off any extra fish on the back of our boat.  They offered for us to take some which I declined, but on the second offer I took them up.  They put 3 huge King Salmon filets in a zip lock which I took back to the boat and put in the refrigerator.  Dinner plans solved.  

We enjoyed the pool for a couple of hours, or in my terms, 5 beers and a cigar.  

After the pool we cooked up the fish the way that the fisherman suggested.  On the grill, on foil, with butter, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

It was nice that the marina had gas grills to use.

The fish was excellent and we came pretty close to eating it all.  Even Lucy got her own bowl which she devoured.  After dinner we took a walk over to the Municipal Marina and met a couple of other loopers that were there.  They had a live band playing in the park but we did not stay and listen.

Thursday:

We walked up into town to see some of the shops and find a place to have a late lunch.  

I did manage to find Sasquatch 

We stopped at the Jamesport Brewery for lunch.  I had a great burger and Marcia had the pecan crusted  perch.  I know all of you were wondering.  The bar was a happening place, complete with live music.

As we were getting ready to leave, "Jackpot" and "New Hope" came in as well.  We ended up staying for another beer as they ate lunch.  Walking back to the boat, Marcia, Brenda, and Jordan decided to do some more shopping while the rest of us decided to hit the pool.  It was a good afternoon at the pool and we did not need dinner as we ate a late lunch and I had several more "pork chops".  We did however, walk into town and we all got ice cream.  Then, I got talked into going over to Sonny's boat, "New Hope" for a cigar and bourbon.  I probably did not need either one as Marcia said I was over served at that point.  It was a nice sunset though.

The Ferry boat "Badger" docks here.  It is one of the last and biggest coal powered ferry boats.  It was impressive to see it come in and dock.  It actually had to drop and anchor and then spin around on the anchor to get into its slip.  The coal engines ran all night long.  We could not hear it, but we could smell it.  

Friday:

Our plan originally was to leave and go to Pentwater on Friday, but the weather was bad, windy, so we made the choice to stay another day and skip Pentwater.  We did not have a confirmed slip there anyway.  The others got up early and went to breakfast, but Marcia and I slept in.  We hung around the dock and did some chores.  Sonny, Jack and I started to walk up to the hardware store, but Jack and I bailed after about a mile.  Marcia and I walked up to the farmers market in town and got some fruit and beer brats.  We made dinner reservations, based on a locals advice, at Table 14.  We all walked up and enjoyed a great dinner.

Marcia ordered well, getting the shrimp, scallop and fish casserole.  I just got the red beans and rice which was OK, not picture worthy.

Marcia's fancy drink

After dinner we walked back and turned in, catching another great sunset.

Our plan is to leave for Grand Haven on Saturday morning.  The weather for Sunday and Monday does not look good so "Jackpot" and "New Hope" decided to move as well.  "New Hope" is renting a car to drive home as Jordan needs to get back and start school at UVA.