The Musical Fountain, Grand Haven, MI

Today I was a slacker.  I woke up after the anchor was pulled up and we were almost underway..  We left White Lake at 7:30 and by 8:00 the waves on our beam were too much for Striper and me and we went below.  We both fell back to sleep and woke up at 10:30 when we were entering the channel into Grand Haven.  

Grand Haven has a free city dock right in the center of town.  It's another beautiful Michigan town with friendly people and lots of activities.  Jim and Belinda on Rickshaw helped us tie up and Belinda told me about the Farmers' Market.  Hooray!  All along our journey we've missed the farmers' markets and this one was really nice.  Striper and I took a walk through it and en route passed a fish cleaning station which is really unique. I thought I could buy some fresh fish there, but it turns out the fish they are cleaning are for the fishermen who caught them.  It's quite an operation.  Striper was the Belle of the Ball at the Farmers' Market.  Everyone loves to pet her and talk to her.

We took a stroll through town after lunch. There are many interesting shops and restaurants.  We were told each summer there are "themes" on the artist walk -- this year's theme is dogs.  I photographed a few of these creations that are very clever.  After dinner we walked along the water and had turtle sundaes at Dairy Creme.  Oh were they sooooo good!  A small was plenty, but Captain Wonderful had a large because he felt he deserved it for "going it alone" today.  We met a lot of friendly folks who were interested in our travels and we met some folks who were prior Loopers also.  

We met a young family, Wes and Rita and their children Tobie and Kidest.  They are camping in the area and were staying for the Musical Fountain presentation this evening. We invited them to join us in watching it from our boat -- we had a front row seat right in the harbor.  It was fun to have them onboard.  Wes is a minister in the Viintage Church in Kalamazoo and they are here on vacation.  We so enjoyed meeting and talking with them and their children were so well behaved and adorable.

Tonight on the boardwalk area from 7-9 PM they had ballroom dancing to a local orchestra and at 9:30 the music, colorful fountain synchronized program began.  It was wonderful.  The fountain changed colors and shapes to the music, tonight featuring Rogers and Hammerstein show tunes.  What a nice civic event.  We've decided to stay here another day till the winds change. That Captain decided we need a little R&R.  

Update on Ralph's Mom:  She was transferred from the hospital to the rehabilitation facility today.  Thank you for your continued prayers for her.
 
Here are some photos:

The fish station on the town dock

The Farmers' Market

Striper meets Chloe

This plaque describes the Musical Fountain

Downtown Grand Haven

One of the dogs on the artists' walk

A dog on the artists' walk

Another dog on the artists' walk

Here we are at Dairy Creme

Mmmm... turtle sundaes

T

Our new friends, Tobie, Rita, Kidest and Wes

Grand Haven Harbor

Above the Grand Haven harbor

My Mutiny on the Bounty Shirt -- thanks, Dick