Our sister-in-law Nancy was at the Grand Haven, Michigan beach at 1:55 PM today, talking on the phone with their daughter Annie. Nancy commented "there go Rick and Rhonda" when she saw a blue-hull cruiser about a half-mile offshore, just south of the GH channel, heading south on plane, moving fast. Annie doubted that conclusion, … Continue reading Nancy Wins! →

After checking wind/wave forecasts for today and tomorrow, it was clear that we would be weathered in wherever we arrived today. Winds tomorrow at 6AM, per Windy Today offered clouds and some rain, but light east winds that smooth out the waves for the first half-mile offshore. So we left Leland at 6:45 with a … Continue reading Sprint Back Home →

Yesterday's high winds and waves were predicted to abate overnight and improve all day today. We left the dock in Petoskey before 8AM and headed west into the Little Traverse Bay, hoping to make a long day of it. Unfortunately, the waves had not read the forecast. We ran into strong winds, waves and spray … Continue reading On to Char-Leland →

Just yesterday morning we loosened our lines, coiled the cords, fired up the diesels, headed downstream on the Cheboygan River and, after passing the last set of channel markers, turned to port toward the Straits of Mackinac. We were only 15 miles from the bridge. We could see it soon and it quickly grew to … Continue reading The Mighty Mack, and Petoskey →

I was up at 0 dark 30 this morning in Harrisville, checking multiple sources of wind/waves/weather, talking with the guys in the marina restroom, and using all other available resources including my eyes and ears. The results were inconclusive: swirling clouds, buffeting winds, forecasts of low wind and waves in the morning but small craft … Continue reading Che-Che-Cheboygan! →

We caught the 7:15 AM opening of the Seventh Street and Military Street drawbridges in Port Huron today (they both worked!), idled down the Black River to its confluence with the St. Clair River, and turned to port (upstream) into the St. Clair River which carries the entire outflow of Lake Huron. The river has … Continue reading Happy to be in Harrisville →

After our first travel day on the new R&R, we spent the night at Jefferson Beach Marina, planning to cruise North the next day. But...strong winds and rain at St. Clair Shores kept us there for two nights. Yesterday we waited at Jefferson Beach Marina until noon when the weather improved and then left JBM, … Continue reading Blessed are the Flexible… →

Last December we sold R&R, our Carver 460 Voyager. She was in winter storage, so the sea trial was deferred until this Spring. We were happy/sad to complete the sale and did not seriously consider replacing R&R until this summer, when we surprised ourselves by starting to search for a smaller boat. And sometimes when … Continue reading …New Boat, New Loop →

Well, we recently experienced one of the two best days in a boat owner's life: R&R has a new owner. We bought R&R in early 2019 to travel America’s Great Loop, a 6,000+ mile circumnavigation of the eastern half of the USA. Yacht Basin Marina, Holland, MI One of 77 locks R&R (the people and … Continue reading Ode to a Sold Boat →

R&R, our 2003 Carver 460 Voyager, is for sale! During our Great Loop adventure we loved R&R’s generous size (47’ length, 15’ beam), large cockpit and salon with galley up, three sleeping cabins, and two full heads with separate showers. Our future boating will include mostly day-trips with occasional longer cruises, so we are offering … Continue reading R&R ready for new owner! →

In 2021 The Smithsonian Magazine named Charlevoix, Michigan one of the nation's top 15 communities. We planned a one or two day stop in Charlevoix, but liked it so much that we extended our stay. It is a beautiful town, just like the message on the manhole covers! / With Matt and Shirley, we took … Continue reading Charlevoix the Beautiful →

Today we are heading up the deep and wide East Bay of Grand Traverse Bay, on the way to Leland again. Leelenau Peninsula is two miles to port, Mission Peninsula is two miles to starboard, the sun is warming the air, and seas are flat. A beautiful day on the water! The past few travel … Continue reading Grand Traverse Bay at Hull Speed →

Matt and I cruised from Leland to Harbor Springs, located near Petoskey on the Little Traverse Bay, and checked in at the city marina. Many gardens are maintained by the HS Garden Club. For more than 100 years Harbor Springs has been a summer home community for wealthy city dwellers, with many impressive waterside “cottages.” … Continue reading Bugged by Harbor Springs →

Yesterday Matt and I cruised 106 miles north from Pentwater to Leland. We passed the massive Sleeping Bear Dunes to starboard. South winds built during the day, giving us a push but also causing waves and whitecaps as we approached Leland. The narrow harbor entrance at Leland is flanked by boulders just under the water … Continue reading Leland a/k/a Fishtown →

My brother-in-law Matt Bonne and I started the northbound trip on Friday. Rhonda and her sister Shirley plan to join us “up north” after a few days. The sisters helped us off the dock at Eldean Shipyard. We idled out the Holland channel into Lake Michigan, turned to starboard, and got up to cruising speed. … Continue reading Lake Michigan Northbound! →

With R&R in the water and almost of her refitting completed, we are beginning to load clothing, provision food and drinks, check boating equipment, and plan for this summer's voyage. We've made many trips from home to boat, and will make many more over the next few days. I arranged for a US Coast Guard … Continue reading Preparation and Shake-Down →

After completing our Great Loop voyage in Holland, MI last August, R&R (the boat) was ready for repairs and updates, some due to service intervals, others to improve visibility/safety/convenience, yet others to replace older items. Yacht Basin in Holland completed her 1,000 hour engine and transmission service (typical oil and filter change plus impellers, drive … Continue reading R&R means “Repairs & Renovations” →

Since crossing our wake (finishing our 6,800 mile voyage on America’s Great Loop), we have enjoyed good times with family and friends in the Midwest, and I have been in Indiana a few times for work. Radian Journey spent a few days with us in Holland. Sunset at Halfway Creek First Mate on the Bonnes’ … Continue reading PostLoop →

Dock Tales ALGCA (America's Great Loop Cruisers Association) is a well-run organization that provides excellent Great Loop training, support and resources. Whether one is dreaming about, planning for, currently cruising, or have completed the Great Loop, ALGCA is the place for information, inspiration, and camaraderie. Among ALGCA's many benefits are twice-a-year Rendezvous gatherings attended by … Continue reading Dock Tales! →

My sister Eve, her husband Pete, and their son Eli joined Don and me for a short day-trip from Arcadia to Manistee. Rhonda drove Eve and Pete’s car from port to port and ably assisted with take-off and landing. Leaving the narrow channel to Lake Arcadia The Captain, paying attention to the waves Do they … Continue reading Bouncing from Arcadia to Manistee →