Back at the Gladstone Bay campground in the very best spot – site 62! Nothing but grass between us and Lake Michigan!

First excursion – a Sunday morning day trip to the Marquette Maritime Museum, which serendipitously coincided with their Lake Superior Day festivities!

We toured the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse. Fascinating history including two ghosts – first the Captain of the Coast Guard lifesaving station whose typewriter can still be heard in the crews station house. Then the little girl who fell to her death on the rocks below the lighthouse, whose foot prints can be seen on the freshly painted floorboards…

Fortuitous day indeed as Chris & I scored THREE new lighthouses! Marquette Harbor Light, Marquette & Presque Isle Breakwater, and the Stannard Rock Light Station! And I was gifted a lovely pair of lighthouse knee socks by BA & Robbie!

Monday was A Tale of Two Boats. The six pampered travelers took a very plush private cruise on a luxury pontoon boat escorted expertly by Captain Tanner! Our adventure departed from Scrooge’s Alley in Christmas, Michigan on Lake Superior!

GRAND ISLAND NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

While cruising along the coast we viewed 300 ft. cliffs, many waterfalls, 2 lighthouses, many beautiful beaches, eagle sitings as well as heard about the history of the island and its homes.

We first saw the Grand Island East Channel Light during our Clan O’Brien Pictured Rocks cruise in July 2022, but today we got to see it up close! Such a beautiful old girl!

With this cruise I scored two new lighthouses! The privately owned Grand Island North Lighthouse and The Grand Island Harbor Range Lighthouse.

After the cruise we stopped at The Duck Pond Eatery for a late lunch. The walls were decorated with shelves full of handcarved ducks. My favorite, however, was the tiny little rubber ducky seen below!

The second cruise actually began first, with our stout-hearted fisher folk setting off at FIVE AM! The obnoxiously early departure gifted them the opportunity to experience the beauty of sunrise on Lake Michigan!

Their effort was also rewarded with two king salmon & two steelhead trout, which we will enjoy for dinner tomorrow!

Tuesday was a quiet gray rainy day. We gathered at the Swedish Pantry for lunch and then feasted on yesterdays fresh catch for dinner! King salmon grilled up by Paul, enjoyed over jovial banter & memories!

Wednesday was Indian Lake. Fortunately the rains were gone! Merry’s dear friend Dolly arrived with her son Dave. Dolly and Merry had become lifelong friends at age 5!

As we sprinkled the ash I said “it spreads and swirls like curls of smoke in the water!” To which Chris replied “Sounds like Deep Purple”, at which point we laughed and commented on how perfect deep PURPLE was for Merry!

Dolly spread some of the ashes from her lakeside wheelchair while holding Tigger & Eeyore in her lap!

After the ceremony we all went to Cedar Creek Cafe in nearby Manistique for lunch.

Thursday was a quiet camp day. We walked to the Dewdrop Inn for breakfast then dumped and I cleaned the camper. Chris sat outside in the shade reading and the boys enjoyed a nice game of chase & wrestle in their shady fenced yard! Tomorrow we start the journey home.

We started home on Friday morning, ending the day at Finns Camp in Bay City, Michigan.

Saginaw bay has a massive wetland sea of grasses, bamboo & cat-tails that reminds us both of Everglades National Park. It’s fringed with a deep swath of gorgeous wildflowers! Evening primrose, thistles, queen annes lace, chicory, mallows, goatsbeard and more! Simply delightful! We walked out to the bay then back thru the forest path. A nice peaceful change of pace!

This morning Chris commented that he felt the celebration of Tom & Merry went well. That they would be happy to be home again at Indian Lake, and I’m sure Wally & Joyce have welcomed them! Sunday we’ll be home as well.