Last Day's Boating On Lake Charlevoix October 2017

                                                          October 1, 20017

Joe and I wanted to revisit the older 1987 30ft Carver again that we had seen in July. The owner had dropped the price and we wanted to see it on the water.

It is one that has been always at the back of our minds, yet still not sure.

We both love the fly bridge that can seat like 4 to 6 people, yet when cruising not recommend over 600 lbs I believe, because it can be top heavy. Two guys would put you at 400 lbs, with maybe a girl and 1/2, so max 3.5 people when moving. That's the part that throws us.

The fly bridge has long L shaped seat plus a captains seat. It did well on the water, but a bit under powered for it's size. Joe would get it if it were not for me. He likes the fly bridge and it of course is the lowest priced boat we have seen.

We knew we had very few good days left to boat, so we decided to try to take our boat and travel the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix. We had been on the South Arm, but only boated maybe a 1/3 of the way down. We planned and left early by at least 10:30. It was off and on again cloudy, but warm. With about 75 percent of the boats done for the season, it made a much smoother ride. We hit just one spot where we hit some big waves at the far east end of the South Arm. Once we got on the west side of the arm coming back north, it was smooth sailing. We stopped and put down the anchor and had our lunch we had brought. our boat is great for pulling tubers, and smooth to medium waves. But not fun at all in big waves, with our shallow hull.

With the no wind and sun, I grabbed Joe's hat. I will miss our open bow boat. that's my favorite spot to sit, with legs stretched out and best viewing.

We got to a high of 78, perfect boating weather. When we got home, around 4:00 PM, we were proud of ourselves to finally accomplish this task. We could finally say, we had rode the entire shoreline of Lake Charlevoix. It only took us 4 years to accomplish this. Joe would have done it a long time ago. It just took me this much time to feel comfortable to go this far from home in our little 21 foot boat. I never had to go to the restroom, though I didn't drink anything while gone. I would have had to jump into the cold water, and I didn't want to do that.

On October 8, we took our last wave runner ride. The high was 76 so it was a great day with maybe a boat or 2 across the lake, making no waves.

This is my view, so most of the time I look to my side. The first couple times out, my butt and hips got sore being in the sitting position so long. It seems I have got use to it more, because I don't have the cramping up as before. Let me tell you, it's not fun to get a leg cramp while on the back of this thing, though we have learned to stand and trade places without a problem now. Yes this summer I took the reigns and drove it with Joe behind me. And pretty fast for my first time. I was so proud of myself.

This was the first time I brought my phone with me too. I put it in a baggie and in one of the compartments. I was a bit nervous taking these pictures though.

The next day we took the wave runner out. Joe needed to get it cleaned up and to an appointment to be winterized. You can also see the new house going up next to us. It is going to be a 2 bedroom 1 1/2 story home. This neighbor does not have waterfront property, but does have access to the 20 feet between our water property and the neighbor across the streets water property. He can put in and out row/sail boats and kayaks on that access.

The next day we went to the another one of our newer restaurants in Boyne City, Stiggs Brewery.

Local beers have become very popular, with a long list of Michigan beers for sale at this and many restaurants in northern Michigan. Stiggs Brewery has 28 Michigan brewed beers on tap.

I loved the decorating of the bar wall with beer bottle tops. Who ever did the art work did a beautiful job of the evergreen trees and the sky and all.

Each table is done in a different design.

Ours didn't really have a design, just all different caps.

I ordered a grilled cheese with bacon jam and a tomato bisque soup. Kind of been into the grilled cheese thing lately.

I can't remember what Joe, got, but I know it was the special and he didn't like it much because it was too spicy for him. I think it was wings with the Stiggs House Rub. I tried it too, and it was really spicy.

I know it doesn't show up well, but this was the only rainbow we saw this year. (in the left side of the picture).

On October 17, we took our last boat ride for the season. At this point 85% of all docks, lifts and boats are already taken out of the lake. As we rode west I had my winter coat, hat and mittens on.

This is the house of our friends Art and Jane that we met through Jim and Chris who we met at our garage sale. See, garage sales are a good thing. They built this house, just the two of them. I am sure they had certain things done like electrical, plumbing, and foundation, and etc. But the majority was done by them. They are still working on the inside, but will probably wrap it up this winter. I am always amazed when I see people do this on their own. Our friend Jim built his house too. On our way back home it had warmed up, and the hat, mittens were gone. The sun had come out!

October 19  
  Dillon, our dock/boat lift installer and removal and crew arrived.

He is getting smarter, and has purchased a tractor to remove the boat lift.

Normally Joe drives the boat to Summerset Marina and Dillon drives the trailer to get Joe and boat at the marina. But the marina wasn't open that morning so he parked our boat at our neighbors, until the crew was gone and I was going to have to drive the trailer to the downtown marina instead.

Our new dock is much heavier, (Joe and I could pick up our old dock sections together, but I could barely pick the new one's up). We moved our old docks to the back side of the shed when we knew the new dock needed to go where theold dock was. Dillon still puts the dock sections on his back and climbs up the rock embankment, then steps up on each dock already placed and lays it down. He is tall and thin, but must be all muscle. I just don't know how he does that by himself.

Wave runner lift out, dock out; boat lift out, and boat out. (Marina opened up in time so Dillon could take and back the trailer down into the water for Joe). I need to learn how to do that.

October 20
One last toy still available to us, so off we go.

I just love boating in the fall when there are little to no boats on the lake. The lake clarity is magnified and everything on the bottom of the lake can be seen.

I was brave and brought my phone again on this adventure too.

Our home from the waters.

View to the right of our home. Our neighbor Mindy and Larry's home is in amongst the trees. She loves her privacy more than views. We love our views more than privacy!

I am such a Midwesterner, I love the 4 seasons!

There was a sail boat out, while we were kayaking, but they don't make too many waves, especially when they are way on the other side of the lake. (This is a zoomed in and cropped picture to even get a semi close up picture of it).

I was trying to get a picture of the still waters. Joe was adding to the picture.

Another picture of Joe's leaf in a different filter. I couldn't decide which I like best, so decided to but in both. I like this one because the leaf is in focus for the changing season.