We left Frankfort on July 12th to head back home to tie up loose ends and make good on important commitments.  It turned out there were many more loose ends and commitments than either of us imagined but we kept at it and were ready to head back to the Namaste 4 minutes before our ride arrived on Friday morning, July 23rd.  We accomplished and enjoyed grandchildren sleepovers, a wonderful ski boat weekend at Boyne, two official trips to Camp Lookout, a haircut for Sammy, haircut and pedicure for Jo Ann, financial and legal documents revised and signed, two chipped teeth fixed, new glasses adjusted, MSU final retirement on-campus tasks done, Sunshine (our 14 year old black cat) adopted to the farm (no, the real farm complete with horses and chickens),  Landmark Advanced Course completed,  and wonderful breakfasts, lunches, wine and dinners with family and friends.  The garden isn’t in as great shape as I would like,  I haven’t cancelled Comcast and we need to contract with the marina in Chicago to take down and ship our masts but everything else feels happily complete.  The farewells were bittersweet all around but it feels great to be back onboard the beautiful Namaste.  After the weekend in Frankfort including a peaceful dinner with Curt and Brooke and our first official, non-famiy visit from Monica this afternoon we will depart tomorrow, July 26, for Manistee and we’re on the loop again!

Drop off and pick up of Ashleigh at Camp Lookout – a grandparent’s honor and pleasure!

I am really leaving this garden . . .

. . . and this lake???!!!

Slooppy joes and corn on the cob with Liam and Klava after a great summer day on Dunham Lake.  Note Sammy looking for the crumbs.

We spent the 4th with family in Frankfort including a parade complete with ear splitting sirens, bells, whistles and Lookout campers marching and singing camp songs.  Other highlights included picnics, sunning on the Lake Michigan beach, Pizza and pontoon boat rides, followed by more ear splitting fireworks with 10,000 of our closest friends.

Quote of the day:  Where will we and the Namaste be July 4th, 2016?

Gratitude of the day:  A grand-kiddo sleepover on the Namaste including pancakes cooked by chef Klava and dinghy rides by captain Liam.

Everyone up early creating  this  Camp Lookout parade entry! 

Leonie marched in the parade (read ran) for the first few blocks, then dove headlong into the stroller.

Lake Michigan Beach time for all.

Flip flop shopping anyone?

Klava,Leonie and Liam eating red, white and blue sprinkle donuts onboard the Namaste.

Anyone go to a theater like this as a kid? Plymouth, Michigan for me. We watched the Women’s Soccer World Cup free with standing room only.

USA WON! Perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

And finally, the sun setting over Lower Herring Lake and Camp Lookout. (Photo with permission and compliments of Andrea)

On July 2, 2015 we traveled Leland for Frankfort (36 miles for a total of 79 of a 5,600 minimum) with all four sails full in 10-15 mph NW winds we “ran” all the way.  Sorry, those pictures are hard to come by.  With the diesel engine silenced we relished in a peaceful and fast ride.  If you are in Frankfort, we are at the Municipal Marina much of the month so stop by for a visit.

Boat Name of the day:  SeaCure Refuge

Quote of the day:  Let’s get this crazy auto-helm fixed!

Gratitude of the day:  Strong winds with following seas

Yep it was cool and windy!

What is Sammy thinking now?

Note next to Jim’s right hand: everything must have multiple purposes. Our bike bottle holder and pedal baskets are also cockpit coffee cup holders and a Biggby billboard.

Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes from a 3/4 of a mile out. As always, folks were running down and climbing back up – happy to be sailing!

Sunday June 28, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

After 50 yeas of dreaming, 6 months of talking and 5 months of planning, Jim, Jo Ann and Sammy threw off the mooring lines of the Namaste and departed the Harborage Marina in Boyne City, Michigan to “do the loop” (see the about tab later for more information about us and the loop).  We have many people to thank for helping us make this happen and if you are reading this, you are likely one of them – you know who you are so thank you, thank you, thank you!

It was a smooth departure except for letting the dinghy float away at the last-minute and realizing that Sammy’s life vest is way too small.  With the company of Pat, Heather, Lexi, Ashleigh, and Nate we managed our shakedown cruise to Sommerset Pointe Marina where we celebrated with champagne, raised the loop flag, and had a bon voyage dinner together.  We spent the night there for some minor engine adjustments and then set out for Leland on Monday (43 miles) with beautiful sunshine and calm seas.  The Namaste ran perfectly, Sammy assumed second mate status, and Jo Ann got her 10,000 steps in for the day.  We grilled chicken and microwaved corn on the cob for dinner and then slept ten hours.

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