The END of the Summer

Sophie is ready to go home! 

In fact, as I type this, we are in Fenton, MI beginning a convoluted trip south -- via Philly, Annapolis, Alexandria, thru Savannah and then home.

We had a delightful last week in Charlevoix.  First the sun was shining, and that was just fine.  Then, Jay and Phillip came up several times -- and they have promised to come to Florida for my birthday!  Barney Bishop and I had lunch.  New friends, Jennifer and Ed -- who have a condo on Round Lake -- invited Sophie and me over for a delightful evening.  Caught up with Fish and Susan, Lynn and Judy.  Had a late lunch with Ron and JoEllen and her parents.  Rick and BD came over from Cheboygan.  Had several mornings at coffee with Lou Hollow.  And, in addition to three fun days staying with Lou and Donna Diaz in Boyne City -- I got to go out and helm (on a tiller no less) their 41 foot sail boat.  What a thrill.

But, as ms Sophie's end will hint, it's all over even if the fat lady hasn't sung yet. 

Another great summer of good friends, good boating, too much food and drink -- and dreams of coming back next year.

Pictures Around Charlevoix

Sophie's Relief to be at a dock is Palpable!

Looking East -- believe it or not -- at the reflected Sunset across Round Lake to the entrance of Lake Charlevoix

The original Pine River connecting Round Lake with Lake Charlevoix, now just a nice dinghy ride in high water

Further down the Pine River -- hard to believe that larger boats once traversed this small body of water

A "mushroom" house on Round Lake in all its fall splendor

Brrr...it is getting colder!

Have enjoyed rambling around Charlevoix -- Sophie has settled in, re-acquainted herself with favorite walks and some of her dog buddies from the spring -- and I have done the same (substitute dog owners and you get the idea.)  We've had warm sunny days, but we are in a stretch of cooler weather -- waking up to the mid-40's and overcast/rainy days.  That's surely a sign that the boating season is drawing to a close.

Not to be deterred, however, I've taken advantage of the sunny days -- Jay and Phillip gave Sophie and me a ride around Round Lake in their little whaler, we picnicked on the lawn at the marina, Sophie and I took my dinghy a couple of days later for another look at the homes and boat docks, and in between I was asked to go sailing with friends Donna and Lou on their Farr 41 (even given a turn at the tiller and didn't embarrass myself too much)

Have been to dinner with good friends from the boating world and had coffee several mornings with Lou Hollow (a delightful man who has made Charlevoix his home for forty years) -- learning all the local intrigue and history while looking out on the harbor.  Now, what could be better than all of that?

Oh, and I've been reading -- great books (The Goldfinch), good books (A Respectable Trade), and books by local writers (Steve Hamilton's Let it Burn).  Still have a library of close to fifteen books to get through, and haven't visited my favorite local bookstore in Petoskey yet.

Pictures just won't post -- I'll keep trying, but can't promise results.  Am here until the 26th of September, then haul out, and hit the road heading south and east.

Back to Charlevoix

Don't care how many times I round the tip of Michigan -- going east in the spring and west in the fall, it's a long trip.  And, yesterday was no different -- except, I did the seven plus hours solo and the waves about two hours out of Charlevoix decided to become "challenging."  Sophie left the safety of the bed, came up to the helm, things went crashing down below, she crept back to bed -- repeat several times until we were in the channel to the bridge and there was peace.

Had a great time in Cheboygan at Duncan Bay.  Happy hours on shore, followed by cook outs -- sampling the eateries around the area -- and playing Yahtzee with my friend Susan who came over for a couple of days (no sailing with me this year as she has to get back by mid-September.)  But, most of my buddies are "coming out" -- that's not prom night for you land lubbers -- early next week, so I found what I thought was a weather window and took it.

Right now, today looks like the better day.  But it is hard to tell in the well protected harbor of Charlevoix.  Will be here for at least two, and perhaps three weeks before heading toward home.

Sophie is HAPPY to be tied to a dock, in a town where she knows the walks, and where there are lots of her admirers to fuss over her.  Me, I'm just happy to be here after the long day yesterday.

Boat houses on Round Lake, Charlevoix