Mañana on the Loop: DESTINATION GRAND HAVEN

Aug 27- We left at 7 a.m. to start our 60 mile trek to Grand Haven. It was cloudy when we left but got brighter as we traveled south. We got to Grand Haven at about 2:30 p.m. and made the mistake of going into the Municipal docks. We called in before we came into the docks there and told them we were a 42 ft trawler. They put us into a larger slip which we thought was strange but thought maybe that was all they had left. We finished tying up and plugging into hydro then Dave went up to sign in. When he came back he said he had to pay for a large slip not for the length of our boat (we ended up paying $89.00 which was ridiculous). I am warning all Loopers to beware of Grand Haven Municipal Marina they are ripping people off . The only good thing I can say about Grand Haven is that they put on a nice water and light show which was very entertaining. While we were tying up a Sheriff came up to the back of Manana with his boat. We thought we had done something wrong but he had noticed our home port and just wanted to talk. He had a grandmother that used to come to Orillia to sing in a choir competition. He was very nice but what a small world.

Someone in a hurry

Beaches on approach to Grand Haven

Lots of beach area here

Homes on the shoreline

Beach houses

Lighthouse at entrance

Private homes

RV park on the way in

Condos at entrance

Park area

Sheriff and Coast Guard area

Start of downtown

This a free wall to tie up to

Factory at end of bay

Kids playing volley ball

Great water and light show

Aug 28- We left by 9:00 a.m. but the lake was not being kind today. We were heading for South Haven (hopefully not any thing like its name sake) but it was 5 to 6 footers so we ended up turning in at Holland. We have come into Eldean Ship Yard and it seems to be very nice. The staff are extremely pleasant and helpful. This marina is twice that of the municipal marina at Grand Haven and at half the price. We hopped into the dingy and went down into Lake Macatawa to explore. There are many large lakefront homes on this lake. When we got back to Manana we were treated to a wedding taking place at the restaurant at the end of our dock. The weather is closing in so I don't know what tomorrow will bring.