Fri Sept 8: Traverse City to Leland

With just a few butterflies in my stomach I prepared to cruise up Grand Traverse Bay to Leland.  The original plan had been to stop at Northport Marina at the tip of peninsula that divides Lake Michigan from Traverse Bay but as the weather seemed better and I am now under a bit more of a time constraint I decided to go further and on to Leland - aka Fishtown. 

The cruise up the bay was fine with the small waves coming directly at the bow, but once I reached tip of the peninsula and had to turn to cross into Lake Michigan the waves came off the side of the boat and the ride was quite rough.  That only lasted about 30 minutes and again, once heading south on Lake Michigan it was relatively smooth.  

Leland is know as Fishtown. Apparently it was an important area for commercial fishing and they have preserved the historic old town composed of a bunch of old wooden fishing shacks.  Most of the shacks are now converted to other uses - sandwich shop, art gallery, t-shirt/souvenir shop, but there is also the obligatory smoked fish shop.  I was tempted to buy more smoked fish, but we still have some Charlevoix and although it is good it is very salty so I didn’t buy any more. 

  

The Leland River runs through the center of town and the historic district.  There is a damn a short distance in from the lake which on the one hand would prevent any boat from going upriver and on the other hand help protect the center of town from big waves that would come in from the lake. 

A view from above the damn looking towards 
the historic Fishtown and Lake Michigan

Below the damn

       

Looking out towards the lake. There is room for
about 4 medium fishing charger boats

A shot of the local library for Melanie!

As we’ve mentioned we are now moving down the lake with a large number of other looper boats.  It feels almost like a herd of cattle moving along towards the feed lots in Chicago.  There were about 12 Looper boats in the marina and a couple of people organized a wine tasting for later that afternoon.   About 35 people and 20 bottles of wine gathered in the marina lounge.  I’m not sure how much “tasting” happened but certainly a lot of drinking.  It was so loud I could hardly hear anything.  Loopers are an enthusiastic group. 

 On the way back to the boat I glance at the water and found this algae/scum organized in an artistic fashion.  It seem like it could make a very difficult puzzle.  I found it beautiful, or maybe I’d tasted too much wine!