Outboard motor incident, beautiful marina, sun and more

Old Mission Peninsula Light house

Bowers Harbor sunset

7/19/2021

Thursday we went into the beautiful Elk Rapids marina. We first went to the fuel dock to do a pump out and get our slip assignment. It was windy and when trying to get off the dock area the outboard motor for our dinghy that was on a bracket at the rail hit into a dock post and was flung into the bottom of the channel! Submerged at about 12 feet ----pause and imagine the captains words! What to do? We went to our slip and walked over to "the scene of the incident". A diver was discussed but thankfully the dock hand and Jeff retrieved it with a grappling hook. It went to our boat and you tube told us how to try to save it.

Drying it out

Where it happened

So the next day we put it back together and luckily for us, it works!! Good news for us!

Friday was sunny and beautiful so were were able to ride bikes, go to shops, go to the beach and Jeff fished a little. This is a pretty big marina in Elk Rapids and we love it. The library is really cool too.

Saturday we left and went to anchor in Bowers Harbor of Mission Peninsula. This anchorage is so beautiful with clear water! Friends from back home stopped by on their boat for a drink and laughs. We had three "Jeffs" aboard! After they left, we took the dinghy to a beach and crossed the road to the Jolly Pumpkin for a dinner. Have dinghy with working motor, will travel😊.

Saturday was absolutely great with warmth and calm waters. We even went swimming around the boat. Then around Power Island and arrived in Elmwood Township Marina around 4:00. We are 2 miles outside downtown Traverse City. We went to dinner at the West End Tavern that overlooks another marina and celebrated our one month of living on the boat and still talking to each other! Jeff computed we have completed 419 miles on the water. We stayed at 13 marinas and 4 anchorages. Indeed life is good!