A Series of One Night Stands

Sad to say we are moving along more quickly than we want. Slip availability is the primary reason. Many of the DNR harbours who are supposed to reserve a majority of slips for transients have increased the number of seasonal slips in response to the increased traffic over the last two years. Plus, the harbours along our route are nearer to Chicago, Grand Raids and Detroit so there are more summer houses and boats. 

Boaters can reserve transient slips six months in advance so weekend slips have been nearly impossible to find from Grand Haven southward. Anchorages are also challenging to find as many of the harbours are along rivers and anchoring in the channel is not permitted. We are skipping ahead everyday so we can reach Michigan City where there are slips available.

Ottawa Beach Marina in Holland was our first stop in this stretch. Catering mostly to smaller boats, the 40-50 footers are assigned the outside slips. The facilities and staff are great; clean washrooms and showers, nicely kept grounds and a short hike to the beach. Turn right out of the gate and a 1/2 mile walk will take you to general store that stocks a few grocery items but has a wide selection of souvenir type items, great ice cream and a lovely shady deck to eat it on. John borrowed a bike and rode to a marine supply store several miles down the road and picked up the oil filters and wiper blade that he has been looking for since May.

A bonus in Holland was the after dinner entertainment. We were right in front of the upwind buoy for the local yacht club races. all the boats can down and jibbed around the channel marker to make their turn. Good fun to watch.

South Haven is a lovely facility with large decks and patios on shore for gatherings. A quaint downtown with shops and restaurants. No grocery store nearby though. The harbour master is a hoot. A young woman with tattoos and piercing who is marvellous at client service while keeping a good eye on marina goings on.

We managed to find a private slip in St Joseph’s for Friday night but in the end the poor weather forecast for the weekend caused a few cancellations at the West Basin Municipal Marina. It is a beautiful facility. Proof that a working yard does not have to be a wasteland of gravel, boat cradles, jack stands and blocking. Beautiful gardens, edged lawns and spotlessly clean facilities. We walked to a boutique hotel for dinner. Basically, Plank’s Tavern serves up-scale pub grub and has a nice wine list.

Moving on in the morning to Michigan City, Indiana.