9/6/2010 LELAND TO FRANKFORT

Even though the wind was still blowing, we decided to make a break for it and head from Leland to Manistee, about a 70 mile trek. By 8:30 we had checked out and, with a helping push off by Ed, Connie and Jerry, had made the passage through the breakwater only to find Paula and Todd (they had left about an hour earlier) headed back in. We hoped our extra heavy Quest would be able to make the transit easier in the choppy 3’ to 5’ waves. The wave height was not such an issue; it was the closely spaced, wind driven chop that made it so difficult. Quest chugged on and by 9:11 we were half way between the Equator and the North Pole.

45 DEGREES NORTH

We motored on past the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore Park with its 480’ tall sand dunes and white beaches then passed by the photogenic Point Betsie Lighthouse.

SLEEPING BEAR NATIONAL LAKESHORE PARK

POINT BETSIE LIGHTHOUSE

Things were really getting rough now with waves at 7’ to 9’, breaking almost upon each other. We “threw in the towel” and opted to end our day’s travels at Frankfort, traveling on 44 hair-raising miles today. The Frankfort North Breakwater Light was a much welcomed sight and Dan expertly maneuvered the narrow opening into the relatively calm Betsie Lake. We were welcomed to the Frankfort Municipal Marina where we tied up with all available ropes and fenders, preparing for the real wind that would be arriving by Tuesday.

FRANKFORT NORTH BREAKWATER LIGHT

ON OUR PORT SIDE

SOUTH MARKER TO OUR STARBOARD

WELCOME TO FRANKFORT

Labor Day picnickers were playing volleyball and pot lucking in the municipal park right in front of our dockage. A small number of people were milling around the town as we meandered through but by 3:30 we were all scurrying for shelter from the rain and distant thunder. This tall-ship made it in to safely anchor before nightfall.

ANCHORED TALL SHIP