 |
| From the beach, boardwalk leading to cottages. |
 |
Our rental, theVan Huss cottage, in illustration mode
(Interesting effect using Missy's camera.) |
 |
| Cocktails and sunsets from the porch cannot be beat! |
Everyone has one special spot in the world and Pentwater has to be that spot for us. Tom's family started vacationing here when he was 12. (I'll let you do the math). They rented various cottages in the Oceana Beach Association and now we, the second generation, are carrying on the tradition. Most of the cottages were built late 1800's or early 1900's so they have a lot of character. They sit atop dunes overlooking Lake Michigan with boardwalks leading to the beach.
Raydiance arrived at the Pentwater channel around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15th. After a quick side trip to check out Oceana Beach, she entered the channel. Tom and Rich both admitted to a lump in the throat as they cruised between the lights. Having walked the harbor many times over the years and dreaming of the day we would arrive in our own loop boat, it was quite emotional when it finally happened.
 |
| Raydiance in Pentwater channel with Oceana in background. |
.jpg) |
Moment of entry into Pentwater channel.
(Thanks to Mike Long for a great photo!) |
 |
| Raydiance between the lights in Pentwater channel. |
After passing the landmark Pentwater water tower and stopping for the always important pump-out, Raydiance docked at Snug Harbor. The crew then headed for the Pentwater Yacht Club for lunch.
 |
Crew from Ludington to Pentwater
L-R Kris,Tom, Lane, Kevin, John, and Rich |
 |
| Raydiance at dock in Snug Harbor |
 |
Pentwater water tower
|
While at the yacht club, Rich struck up a conversation with a member, Barry Miller, who was preparing to head out for a day sail. He invited Rich to go along, but Rich felt he should get back to the lodge with his guests. So Barry extended the invitation to Missy and me and we readily agreed. The wind was blowing around 18 knots giving us a brisk sail heeling around 25 degrees. Barry kept saying how surprised he was that I would choose to spend an afternoon on the water after all our time at sea, but I explained that this was very different. Missy and I thoroughly enjoyed the outing.
 |
| Very competent Captain Barry Miller |
 |
| Linda and Missy aboard Miller Time heading out Pentwater channel. |
Sunday we left Raydiance at Snug Harbor and went to Oceana to spend two nights at the Van Huss cottage. Although it was a short stay, we enjoyed beach walks to the channel, beautiful sunsets, and relaxing on the porch taking in the changeless view. The evening games of Five Crowns, however, were less than memorable. I was informed that I needed to report my dethroned (dead last) status since I had been bragging on my former victories!
 |
| Linda and Tom (in cartoon mode) on Oceana beach |
 |
| Shelf cloud approaching Oceana beach. |
 |
| Sugar sand beach with Pentwater channel in background. |
 |
| Sunset as viewed from cottage. |
 |
| Can never get enough of Michigan sunsets. |
Tuesday we left the beach and returned to Raydiance. A quick squall passed through leaving behind this rainbow.
Since Missy and I had never seen Barothy Lodge, we drove there (20 miles east of Ludington) in the afternoon. Pere Marquette River, which eventually flows into the harbor at Ludington, goes past the lodge property consisting of over one hundred acres and several lodges of varying sizes. Salmon swim up this river to spawn in September. I can certainly understand why the guys keep returning here each year.
 |
| Tom and Rich by river at Barothy Lodge. |
 |
| Black swan at Barothy |
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment