Day 324 Ludington 8/4/10

Ludington Light house




410' Car ferry "SS Badger" crosses Lake Michigan to Manitowoc







The Badger







Active Coast Boat here for repairs



Coast Guard Boat we're hoping to tour tomorrow.








Sallyann and Andrew celebrating crossing their wake






The 4 of us on board "Freedom"






Early 1930 Ford pickup





At stop at the beach on our bike ride.







Saturday we again lucked out on the calm lake and traveled to Manistee. In the 1840 men were becoming millionaires from the lumber and salt industries. In 1896, the population of 10,000 was one of the richest cities per capita in the US. As in so many cities today, when you walk the streets of Manistee, you see many businesses that have not survived.

On a beautiful Sunday we arrived in Ludington where our fellow Loopers Sallyann and Andrew arrived shortly after us. Their boat “Freedom” just crossed their wake and invited us to celebrate with champagne. Crossing your wake means you have returned to where you started your trip and are crossing back across that same water.

We took a bike ride around town and had our daily dose of ice cream at the House of Flavors. We had dinner on board of meatloaf, (one of my favorites), creamed new potatoes, corn on the cob and asparagus. Not low on the calorie scale but oh well.

Today, Monday is a cloudy day but we’re inside the boat doing chores anyway. Tom is changing oil; and I might add it wasn’t pretty. He dropped the old filter full of hot oil in the bilge. It is a very tight space and the hot oil is extremely slippery. No bad language during that chore! Meanwhile, I defrosted the freezer (amazing how much room I have now) and scrubbed down the shower.

Ludington is another gorgeous Michigan coastal community. The area surrounding the two Municipal Marinas has bicycle trails, winding walkways along the waterfront, picnic tables, barbeque pits, kid’s playground and the beautiful landscaping makes this a stunning attraction. The marina and the staff are first class. There are several dining options all within walking or bicycle ride distance away. Since the marinas are getting closer together and more marinas per port, slip availability has become more accessible. This is a very worthwhile visit, and I think we will stay a few days. Our friends Andrew and Sally Ann (Freedom) are staying here also. Weather permitting the four of us plan on dinner at PM Steamers tonight.