LEAVING LAS MICHIGAN

Blog of S/V Visitor  9/10/11  N 41-48.49   W 86-48.75                                                                                Well, we're starting slow and then we'll taper off.  We left musk. on Sat. 9/3 after a 30 knt blow and made Holland, no prob.  We spent the long weekend at Eldeans w/ Jim, Jan, Jeff, Jess- thanks J's- great local food- prepared with love and imagination.  Also, fantastic showers.

http://www.moosewoodrestaurant.com/recipes.html       Had a grand time in 25 knts of wind on the beach at Warren Dunes "unto the third and fourth generation".  Dined with Ann and Bob Decker at Buzzard's Roost in Pigeon Lake Sun. night. Again, thnx for the great food and wine!  We're spoiled for Chi town and the Big Easy.  Motored to St. Joe Tues. and laid up on the wall by the train bridge, watched the Pere Marquette trundle by, and waited out another NE blow. Jan called her cousin Barb who showed up with an exquisite box of pastries.It was all good as we had work to do- installed another house battery to handle the reefer.  Spent $258 at Wolf's in Benton Hbr.  If you're a boater, it's a must.  What a panoply of boat neccessities (toys)!  30 year old cans of paint.  1960's lamp shades.  Saw the 1920's schooner WILD GOOSE laid up in the yard under the tatters of a blue tarp with some planks out and some new frames sisterd in.  Thru the grimy gaps could be seen the gleaming mahogany that spoke of her glory days.  I wondered if there was not some bank of memory filled from the brass housing and glasses Fresnel of her sternlight.  What sunny days and stormy nights must ave passed in her wake.  Thur. the lake settled and we did the 24 miles to New Buff. and showered up and did the laundry.  Of course, it rained and we left this morn with everything damp except our spirits.  Look out Monroe Hbr!