Big Muscamoot Bay Boaters Hangout

Everyone knows that Michigan is a boaters' paradise. A favorite spot to drop anchor and swim is Big Muscamoot Bay off the southern tip of Harsens Island. The noise level is off the scale with stereos blasting and music blaring. It is one huge party haven on the weekends and sometimes R-rated. Literally hundreds of boats are scattered throughout this bay on a beautiful day like today.

Knot Just a Bar in Bay Harbor

Talk about inviting, Knot Just a Bar which overlooks the Marina at Bay Harbor, begs for you to step through their doors. Any place that offers outdoor seating with a view in the summertime already earns beaucoup points.  There are many tempting options on their menu like fish tacos, smoked whitefish pâté, rosemary hummus, veggie burgers served with aioli and cucumber mojitos. If that isn't enough, they have live entertainment Thursday and Saturday evenings, too. You can catch the Tigers battling Cleveland at 4pm for first place on their TVs, also. Anibal is pitching.

Kayaking Torch Lake

One of the most beautiful inland lakes in Michigan is Torch Lake. Nineteen miles long and just two miles wide, it's waters are crystal clear. There is a small public park on the northwest side in Torch Lake Township where you can put your kayaks in the water and just float around in bliss. The name comes from the Indians who used to hunt fish at night here using torches.There will be massive boaters out on the sandbar on the 4th of July as Kid Rock (who also has a home on this lake) made mention of it in his song "All Summer Long".

Dockside in Bellaire

We were blessed with the perfect weather yesterday at Dockside in Bellaire and there isn't a better setting for al fresco dining.  It's been the place to hang out on Torch Lake where the Clam River runs into it for over a century. Come by car or by boat. We recommend the fish tacos with aioli sauce--simply outstanding.

Bay Harbor In-Water Boat Show

We'd never experienced an "In-Water" boat show before, so this one in Bay Harbor last weekend was so delightful! We were able to climb aboard some very beautiful and unique boats, running the gamut from fishing trawlers to high end yachts. Of course, we want one now!

Bay Harbor Resort in Petoskey

A wonderful venue for a wedding is the Bay Harbor Resort on Lake Michigan, just south of Petoskey. Back in the 1800's, this huge area used to be a lime stone quarry. Somebody had a great vision 20 years ago.  This became the largest reclamation project of North America and today Bay Harbor has 1200 acres of homes, a hotel, a marina, boutique shops, a banquet center, golf courses and restaurants. Many of the hotel suites come with golf carts to scoot around the complex.

J.W. Westcott II--Detroit's Boat Post Office

The only floating post office in the world is located in Detroit--the J.W. Westcott II with its own zip code of 48222. It anchors on 24th Street in the shadow of the Ambassador Bridge. The delivery is called "mail in the pail" as the little diesel motor boat snugs up to a big freighter which then lowers a bucket with mail and messages to be sent/exchanged with the Westcott. Captain J.W. Westcott began this service back in the 1800's. Today, Captain Sam says he'll take visitors on his boat to show you just how it is done.

Navy Week in Detroit

It's Navy Week in Detroit through September 9th in celebration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812. Yesterday we heard the rousing Navy band play while the public was invited to tour two war ships.  The US Brig Niagara is a replica of the actual one used in that battle on Lake Erie with Commodore Oliver Perry. When you go below deck, even shorties have to duck their heads!  It has very cramped quarters.  You can also board the USS De Wert, a navy frigate that is 453 feet long. They were both free of charge. Look for them in front of the GM Renaissance Center.

AJ's Salt Docks in Marine City

We found AJ Salt Docks in Marine City through word-of-mouth. Sit on their patio, have a two dollar beer, watch the boat traffic on the St Clair River and enjoy these last few days of summer. Very friendly and attentive service.

Harrison Township's Crews Inn

In Harrison Township on North River Road near Lake St Clair stands Crews Inn.  It's a great place for boat watching and people watching and water watching with their large wrap around porch. People come here for the food and the ambiance. We like the perch and chips and the burgers and they have a wonderful variety of fresh salads. Entertainment on occasion can include a Boot Scootin' Boogie by Single Shot. It's loud and popular during boating season, but open year round.

The Idler in South Haven

Although we have been to South Haven many times, this was our first experience on the Idler and we loved it.  The boat is permanently docked on the Black River and offers charm, pleasant service, an incredible view and a variety of food choices. The ship was built in 1897 and used to pushed or pulled by a tug up and down the Mississippi back in the day. It was owned by Vincent Price's father for more than 50 years. Moored in South Haven since 1979, the Idler is well known for their drink called South Haven Iced Tea (the use the 4 initials for a nickname) and patrons are never allowed more than 2.

Mahi Reuben at Mike's in St Clair Shores

The mahi reuben sandwich at Mike's on the Water in St Clair Shores was a delectable, mouth-watering morsel that goes into the annals of "never-to-be-forgotten".  We can never look at reuben in the same way again.  Mike's may look just like any other boater's haven, but their food and wine choices make them a cut above.  The rain today was a welcome relief and our view over the bobbing vessels was serene.

St Joe's Swing Bridge

There is a swing bridge in St Joseph that is still in use today.  Built in 1904 over the St Joseph River for the Père Marquette line, the tracks are now owned by CSX.  Trains still run across the bridge and it still opens to let boat traffic through.

The Bramble in Port Huron

The Coast Guard ship Bramble is currently being considered by the Michigan State Preservation Review Board as a possible candidate for National Register of Historic Places. It was commissioned in 1944 and has been one of only 3 coast guard ships that have sailed entirely around North America, having traversed the infamous Northwest Passage in 1957. The 4500 mile trip took over two months to complete. The ship is owned by the Port Huron Museum and it used to be open for tours, but lacking funds, the museum is seeking other means of support.

Waterford's Dodge #4 State Park

When weather like this hits in November, you have to forego football games and get out to take it all in. Dodge #4 State Park in Waterford was sublime yesterday. We saw hikers and dogs, picnickers, boaters, bikers, fishermen and lots of photographers.  In 1922 the Dodge Brothers Corporation donated 139 acres for use as a park.  With its mile of sidewalks and paths on Cass Lake, it's a beauty.

Saugatuck Duck

We rode the amphibious Harbor Duck in Saugatuck this summer.  It was a hoot.  You start out on land and take a tour of the area then dive into the water and check out the sights by boat.  Pretty awesome adventure on a 30 foot World War II vessel. This time of year, it only runs on the weekends.

Detroit's Gold Cup races

Watching the Gold Cup Races on the Detroit River will knock your socks off.   The roar of the engines, the huge rooster tails, and just the thrill of the competition gets in your blood when you watch them from the shores of Belle Isle.  The APBA Gold Cup is the oldest active trophy in motorsports, having started in Detroit in 1904. Cal Phipps from Sterling Heights won his first Unlimited Hydroplane heat riding in his U-17 Miss Red Dot. We got to peek at one of these sleek machines up close. A 30-foot long boat weighs upwards of 6000 pounds with a 3000 horsepower helicopter engine!

2010 Detroit Boat Show

For thousands of Michiganders their thoughts transition from Winter activities to thoughts of Spring while attending the 2010 Detroit Boat Show at Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit. This year the boat show ran Feb 13-21 and covered over 500,000 square feet and displayed over 1000 boats that ranged in length from 10 feet to 50 feet. Michigan ranks 3rd in the USA for the number of registered boats. It's no wonder! You are never any further than six miles from a natural water source in Michigan and always less than 90 miles from a Great Lake shoreline! Michigan is a boater's paradise!

Chocolate and Wine tasting!

Michigan wines and chocolates are paired together for an inexpensive tasting at the Funships Chocolates and More in Frankenmuth. Our knowledgeable sommelier, Andrea, told us that during the warmer months the tastings are done on an intimate cruise ship on the Cass River. Can't wait to return this summer. When you go, ask Andrea for her Pear-Honey wine dessert recipe --fantastic!

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club

Driving east on Jefferson Avenue from Detroit, water is visible for most of the trip. The Grosse Pointe Yacht Club is a landmark by water or land. It was started by 25 men in 1914 who wanted to pursue their interests in ice boating and sailing on Lake St. Clair. The clubhouse bell tower stands 187 feet tall.