We weighed anchor at 7:00 AM and left Oyster Bay in Charlevoix bound 40 miles south to Traverse City.  Lake Michigan and the Grand Traverse Bay were as flat as a pancake making for a beautiful ride.  It was so smooth, I gave Striper a nice bath on the way. The forecast, however, is not good for the next two days, so we decided to put in at the Duncan L. Clinch Marina for two days.  It is conveniently located in the center of downtown.

Our slip is right along the harbor bulkead and walkway so we've met all sorts of interesting people who stopped to chat.  Our MTOA friend, Jim Favors, graciously took us in his car to PetSmart to buy Striper's dog food.  Later, another new friend, Loren Adgate, came by and offered us his car to use while we're here.  He came aboard and we had a nice chat.  He and his wife keep a boat here in the marina all summer and live in Punta Gorda in the winter.  We've been blessed to meet such hospitable people in our travels.

Ralph filled our water tanks in Petoskey two days ago and today when drinking his morning coffee, discovered the water is tainted an undrinkable.  He drained 200 gallons of water out of the tanks and refilled them this afternoon. While he was doing that,Striper and I took a walk to Bay Bread Bakery and bought a baguette for dinner which was delicious.

The marina has a laundromat so I washed a load of towels this evening while we all took a nice walk through downtown Traverse City.  There is a tunnel under the main thorofare, Grandview Parkway, which I didn't know about earlier when Striper and I risked life and limb to get to the other side where the bakery was located.  The tunnel is wonderful and inside, decorated with various Native Indian words from the Ottawa and Chippawa tribes.  I'll take some photos of the inside of the tunnel tomorrow.

Traverse City produces 75% of the nation's cherries and calls itself "The Cherry Capital of the World," hosting its signature event, the National Cherry Festival each July.  I am so sorry we missed it.  Many businesses in town sport cherry motifs, for example "Cherry Republic," which is a take on Banana Republic.  It's a lively and lovely town and everyone was out enjoying the calm before the storm this evening. 

Tonight we met two new friends, one with a Cavalier English Spaniel named Jasmine and another friend with her portie named Rasta -- also born in Traverse City like Striper. It was like a dog circus on the dock this evening -- there must have been a dozen dogs out tonight!

Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay were flat as a pancake this AM

Striper meets Rasta and Jasmine

Ralph tells me we had breakfast here 10 years ago when we picked up Striper, but I don't remember...he's taking me there tomorrow.

Downtown Traverse City