Day 107 Frankfort

Was not a clear, sunny day, but we left Leland for Frankfort with hopes that the weather would improve - and it did. Wore a couple layers of clothing on the way here, but as soon as we passed the breakwaters, (pic 2) the sun came out and it was a gorgeous day. (Pic 3 is the view from our dock) After leaving Leland, we passed the Sleeping Bear, which is a massive sand dune. (Pic 1) Chippewa legend says that an enormous forest fire on the western shore of Lake Michigan drove a mother bear and her two cubs into the lake for shelter. After many miles of swimming trying to reach the other side, the two cubs lagged behind. When the mother bear reached the shore, she waited on the top of a high bluff. The exhausted cubs drowned in the lake, but the mother bear stayed and waited in hopes that her cubs would finally appear. Impressed by the mother bear's determination and faith, the Great Spirit created two islands, North and South Manitou, to commemorate the cubs, and the winds buried the sleeping bear under the sands of the dunes where she waits to this day. The park around the dunes extends for 35 miles. Who knew the Michigan shoreline was this beautiful?! After we docked, we saw Capt. Diane and Peggy, who we had run into at a couple of other marinas. They are also doing the Great Loop, but since Peggy is still working, they travel 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. Then our new found friends, Becky and Dell pulled in in their sailboat. Had an entertaining evening sitting around a picnic table swapping stories with everyone. This has been one of the biggest assets of the trip - meeting such a multitude of wonderful people. Update on the damaged Chris Craft in Little Current - the Pugliese's emailed us and after returning to Killarney, "Dr. Wayne" did some wood surgery and she looks good as new. So happy to hear it! Storms are suppose to move in on Labor Day so we may be here tomorrow too. Will know more when the sun comes up!