Ludington Michigan

September 29 - October 1, 2016

We left the Manistee dock at 8:30. Our goal was to get to Pentwater but we had the option of stopping in Ludington 27 miles away. With the wind at our back and motoring south in following seas of five feet, we had to pay attention at all times or Mystic would be easily redirected by the growing waves. We were careful not to raise any sail because of the huge gusts of wind coming from varying directions. Today would be a motor day. 

View on the way out of  the Manistee channel

Manistee Light

The waves dropped dramatically once we rounded Grand Sable Point but the wind increased to a steady 30-35 miles per hour, making it uncomfortable. It was an easy choice to slip into Ludington instead of continuing on to Pentwater. The weather was much calmer on shore. We fueled and then went to our transient slip #17C. These layovers allow us to take care of things like laundry and groceries, and sometimes bigger projects. When we filled our water tanks our garden hose started to blow it’s liner at mid-fill. Luckily we caught it and were able to avoid a major dousing of our cabin. We have a backup reel hose that was handed down to us by our friend and fellow sailor, Ginny Kruse Rudolph. It’s made of nylon and folds flat. It is super flexible but has a mind of it’s own though so you have to be mindful of where the spout end is at all times.

Grand Sable Light

The Marina is located very close to the Jamesport Brewing Company so we were able to walk there. We selected the Red Ale called Lucky Penny, the IPA and a Nitro Stout. The bartender Megan was very nice. We found a great grocery store, the Biercamp Market. The prices were great and it was close to the marina. Dave cooked dinner while I snoozed in the cockpit.

Perfect spot for a nap

Jamesport & Ludington Harbor Scenes

We went to bed early. In the morning, we turned on the weather and had our first cup of coffee. There is rain south of us. Today will be yet another wait day. There are still small craft warnings out there, as well as reports of water spouts and hail. We're willing to accept spending more time exploring Ludington rather than battling the elements.

Jamesport Brewing Co.

Jamesport Brewing Co.

Downtown Mural

Fairy Tale Eggplant

I love Ludington

The only cross-lake car ferry on the Great Lakes The Badger

Downtown Mural

Maude's Garage

Maude's Garage

Ragnar Michigan meets Jamesport Brewing Co.

Downtown Mural

We find these everywhere. Wish we didn't need them as reminder to slow down!

Ludington Public Library Gardens

Jamesport Center

Ludington Interactive Message Board

The rainbow house

Romanesco Broccoli

House of Flavors

We met a very nice couple, Daryl and Cindy Mastin, and their mini labradoodle, Henna, aboard M/Y Nectar. They are from Ohio and just purchased the 42 foot trawler here in Ludington. They are very excited new owners who plan to start the Great Loop in fall of 2017. Dave needed wires for the spare battery installation. The closest stores are 2 miles away. We biked there even though Daryl and Cindy offered us the use of their car. It is fascinating that we meet so many people of kindred spirit. Daryl and Cindy invited us aboard Nectar and found we had a lot in common with them, including enjoying good beer! They took us to The Mitten, a local joint with an alternative flare. The bartender had long dreads and was wearing a kilt. A band began to play as we were leaving. We hung around long enough to hear a sweet original rendition of 'Somewhere over the rainbow'.

Daryl, Cindy, and Henna aboard Nectar

Daryl, Cindy & Henna

Ludington is full of beautiful Victorian homes, and Bed & Breakfasts, but also lots of homes for sale. It is the County Seat. The county Courthouse is very old. We took photos as two television studios set up cameras to do onsite reporting. Later we learned that there is a big murder trial starting at the Courthouse this week.

Mason County Courthouse

Mason County Seat

We visited our very first Farmer’s Market of the journey today. We'd hoped to shop at them the entire trip but were always ashore on the wrong day! It was like taking a kid to a candy store, we were so excited! It was bigger than you’d expect this time of year and the prices were very good. We picked up ingredients for our dinner; shitake mushrooms and broccoli, and a spaghetti squash for another meal. We silenced the urge to purchase a little of everything as fresh food spoils quickly on a sailboat. If only the season was longer and the markets were more plentiful!

At bedtime the rain returned. The weather forecast suggests we may be in Ludington for another day! Thunderstorms, waterspouts and a small craft advisory will keep us snuggled in at slip #17C but there are worse things! Counting our blessings wherever we can find them is becoming easier along this journey.