Holland, MI

Aunt Aggie exits a marina.

Today we left North Shores Marina with a good feeling.  When I paid our bill, I paid for the dockage and asked what we owed for Jim's services yesterday.  I was told that there was no charge.  What??

He spent an hour and a half with us, working in the heat, adding fluid and checking our steering system.  We were amazed and so pleased.

We cruised to Holland,  just 20 miles away today, for a couple of reasons:

1.  The weather forecast said waves were increasing this afternoon to 2 - 4 feet. 

2.  We wanted to call Pat and Dick from Gypsea since Holland is their home port.

3.  We do not need to hurry to Chicago.  Now that we are having great weather and low waves, 

we can move a bit every day.  We want to get to Chicago for the weekend not earlier.

So we motored along and arrived at Holland around 11:30 am.  We came into the marina and asked for docking assistance.  The person on the phone said that their dockhands had returned to college, and she didn't know if anyone would help us.  Then our friend Jack from Nearly Perfect called on the VHF radio.  "This place is worthless.  We didn't get any help with docking.  What is your slip?  I'll

come and help you."  What a great guy!

 So we actually had a dock hand show up + Patti, Jack's wife, + Jane, their friend, and eventually Jack himself.  It was a party.  We were so glad to see friends.  

Lots of loopers are here tonight.  Nearly Perfect and Spirit came in right before we did.  Loophole and Gypsea live here and came by to visit.  Special Request and Dollinger are on the loop and are beside us.  Two gold loopers are on the other side.  It is a looper extravaganza.  We were glad to introduce Steve and Ruth, our Atlanta friends, to so many loopers.  

 While we were at docktails, this guy came by and asked if anyone had a boat for sale.

We said that Aunt Aggie will be for sale in October.  

Later he came by to look at the boat and take photos.

Here George asked him to pose for a photo, pretending to close the deal.
Notice Darrell, the "buyer" looks nervous.

We had so much fun with Ruth and Steve.  Today we went out to lunch in downtown Holland.  Then they took us to the grocery.  Ruth helped me, and the guys waited in the RV.  It was great to be able to buy the heavy items we can't carry when we are on foot; for example, we got a twelve pack of Coke.  After shopping, we went swimming here at the marina.  The pool was cold and wonderful. We had pool time, docktails, and dinner on the boat.  It was a great day.

                                      

Big crowd for docktails at Holland, MI.