6/8/23 - Grand Haven - Take 3

Sunrise from the flybridge

On our fifth wake up aboard Erik finally slept in, at least if you can call 5:30am sleeping in…..better than 4am.   We had another very relaxing morning and day.   The morning hours were spent doing some reading and social media with bowls of Cinnamon Toast Crunch followed by a few boat chores.  The water tanks were filled and anchor/rode sprayed down. 

Sign at the splash 💦 pad by the marina
Not sure why the summer camp counselors were so shocked when Erik showed up without his suit??
It clearly says:
“Swimsuits highly recommended” 
NOT mandatory 

 We had gotten a text from Fred, a gentleman we had met at the ‘Eye Opener Group’ yesterday morning.   He manages a Four Winds/Bennington boat sales and marine supply business and we had asked him if he had any lines on a captains chair.   We have been shopping and looking for a comfortable one to replace ours that is old and not particularly comfortable.   He messaged yesterday with pics of a bunch of them.   One looked to be interesting but was located in a town north of here.   He had brought the chair down to their Grand Haven location and wanted to know if we wanted to come take a look.  Since the location it was now at was on the water just about a mile upriver we decided it would be nice to dinghy up to see it rather than ride or walk.   On our way up the river we saw swans 🦢 and turtles 🐢 amongst the swampy banks and lilly pads.   

Pretty swans on our dinghy ride up the river 

Mamma and her young

The chair turned out to be really nice and SUPER comfy but unfortunately the bottom would have required modification in order to accept the post base that we have on the boat.  We debated making the mod but ultimately decided to keep searching.   Since we were in town we ran a couple of errands picking up a new filter cartridge for our water filter as well as some eggs and whipped cream (still have lots of yummy strawberries 🍓 that beg some whipped topping).   After a quick lunch of sandwiches with cheese and crackers we walked up into town and explored the Tri-Cities Historical Museum which for a free attraction was quite nice and informative on the history of the area.   It covered all the way back to prehistoric times up through the end of the 19th century.   Was neat reading and seeing displays talking about the formation of the Great Lakes.  During the last ice age huge valleys were carved out by the massive sheets of ice.  About 20,000 years ago when the ice melted the valleys were filled and wall-a….big ass lakes.   In the early 19th century Michigan and particularly the areas around the lakes boomed and prospered from the lumber industry.   By mid/late 19th century, after a large amount of the forests had been cut down, there was a shift to mostly agriculture.    On 2nd floor of the museum was an exhibit dedicated to the lakes on canvas/paintings.  The top floor was dedicated to the history of sports in New Haven.  

Coast Guard exhibit at the museum 

On the way home from the museum we stopped at a couple of shops.   At one we purchased a small bag of herbs and spices to be added to oil for bread dipping.   Of course we then had to stop at the bakery for some fresh bread.   Our choice for the dipping bread was garlic and cheese bread.   After our purchase we were looking at some of their other selections and was offered a “sample” of cranberry/orange bread.   The shop workers idea of a sample was closer to a small meal; our eyes got big as he cut a 1” thick piece from a large loaf.  The bread was very good and we certainly would have bought a loaf of that as well except that with the loaf we already had in our hands another loaf may have put us into carb overload.   

But at least they won’t have to go to the splash pad!

The winds today were blowing and gusting even stronger than yesterday to the point that there were beach and swimming warnings for high surf and currents.   

We could hardly keep Renee out of the surf today!

Fortunately the apps still are showing that the winds will finally diminish late tonight and remain calm through the day tomorrow.  It should make for a nice day for our planned 67 mile run up the coast to Ludington.   

Ahhhh….this is the forecast we are looking for 
The pin point is about half way between where we are now and our destination for tomorrow 
Lighter blues are best but even these blue shades are indicating ~.1 meter waves with 2-3 sec intervals all day tomorrow :-)

We had thawed a pound of hamburgers with the intention of grilling since we had some buns needing eaten but since the winds were blowing directly at the back of the boat where the grill is located we opted against that.   Instead we decided that the lasagna soup mix we got from the specialty grocery yesterday would be a good option and pair well with the fresh bread and seasoned oil.  Neither disappointed our pallets…yummy!   

NO SOUP FOR YOU! 
lots leftover for lunch while cruising tomorrow

More relaxing and blogging aboard after dinner was followed by a walk with Riva.  Along the way we stopped and chatted with several people who really just wanted to pet the diva.  The park adjacent to the marina is very well kept and has some pretty cool outdoor games that more parks should consider.   

Cast Concrete corn hole boards and ping pong tables were busy earlier in the afternoon

Also concrete foos ball

Fishing charter row….that’s a LOT of poles

Adjacent to the park there is a historical train and station that displays more interesting history and nostalgia.   Reading the informational signs we found ties to Ohio and even Columbus. 

Pete Marquette #1223
Manufactured in 1941
In Lima Ohio

Beefy workhorse machines steam engines were

Attached box car was manufactured in Columbus Ohio in 1946 by Ralston Steel Car

Our stay here in Grand Haven has been nice and we give the city 👍👍 for being clean, full of friendly folk, and having lots to do and see.  That said, tomorrow morning it will be time to untie the lines and shove off for points north!  We will keep trudging along on the waterways of happy destiny!