Waiting (safely) out the weather in Charlevoix, MI.

Charlevoix is on the eastern side of Lake Michigan and has a much protected harbor on Lake Charlevoix.  Local boaters in Mackinac told us it was the best place to ride out a blow, because of the safe harbor, and Charlevoix is an upscale town with shops, restaurants, a movie theater, all within walking distance of the city marina.  So here we sit, eat and drink.  Another late looper (most are ahead of us) is here, Susan and Dan on the MV Potest Fieri.  They are from British Columbia, but visit friends in Natchitoches, LA regularly. 

Tuesday was a great day, with light winds, fair weather, and about 80 degrees, so we had a blast touring Charlevoix.  Today it is raining, blowing like heck and cold, so we are doing boat chores (there is a never ending supply of those).  We will continue our trek south Friday if the weather gurus are remotely correct.  Our tentative route is Leland, MI to Lundington, MI, then across the lake to Milwaukee, WI then to Chicago, IL where Stanwood and Janet will join us for a week.  

Charlevoix Marina and Park.

Downtown shops.

We are doomed.  

The Episcopal churches here all have red doors.  Is this a Yankee thing?  

Monarch Butterflies are everywhere (just not when I have my camera) here and are beautiful.  This statue is at the library.  

This very small marker is on the lake, and piqued my interest.  Another spotty chapter in our history of intolerance.  It seems a splinter group of Mormons took over Beaver Island after being persecuted in other areas of the US, After the head guy proclaimed himself "Religious King" of Beaver Island, and became quite erratic, he was murdered, and all the rest of the Mormons run off by the good local town folk, with a covert assist by the US Navy.  Another reason for the anti establishment clause in the Constitution, although the right to property, free speech and trial by peers, did not mean much in 1853.  

The calm before the storm.  Our trip here was on smooth seas.  

One of Charlevoix's "mushroom" houses.  Also called gnome or hobbit houses.  Earl Young, a local designer, began building these homes here in 1921.  He eventually built about 30,

Hobbit house on Lake Charlevoix.  

Lake Charlevoix  off of Lake Michigan.  We toured it by dinghy, although there are several large marinas and plenty anchorages for the big boat.  The locals tell  me it completely froze this winter, and the ice extended into Lake Michigan for 1/4 mile till May!  

We had a great dinner at the Grey Gables restaurant.  As my daughter in laws will attest, berry desserts are my favorite, and from Ontario to here has been berry country, and I have sampled many cobblers and pies.  This cherry cobbler was the best!  

Nice boathouse.