Day 68 - Exploring to Crystal Lake
Last night was just as sticky and yucky as the past many, but thankfully the breeze and overcast today let us feel human again and we kept busy! Of course, we slept in and had a lazy morning. Took Kona for her normal beach walk. We tried to do pier jumping on the calmer side but the seas were still big and confusing so after one throw we just hiked the beach. The waves had been so big overnight that the beach had new pools that had been created overnight. The shore was alive with the sounds of the waves and they were still quite large, estimated to be nearly five to six feet high where they were first breaking near shore. Kona played in the shallows and had a blast. We met a white golden who was terrified of the water and we enjoyed playing with two tennis balls, one for Kona in the surg and one for the other dog who would try and beat the waves and not get his paws wet. It was adorable.
Captain and I brought our scooters and power packs to shore around noon to catch up on power and have a mid-morning bunch on shore while we waited. We chatted with Brooks a bit and then also Penny and her son Justin who had come in the day before next to Brooks. We tossed around boat battery tips and how much we loved our scooters. We let them try them and suspect they will be getting some soon as well. That has happened a few times now as sailors see how awesome and practical they are they go get them!
After we were all powered up we secured Kona aboard and went on a new adventure. We had discovered a bike trail that is quite extensive and decided to take the scooters 10 miles to the town of Beulah at the east side of Crystal Lake. I feel in love with this trail right away. It rivals the Madison bike trail system with spectacular views of the hillsides, wet lands, flowering fields and rivers. The wind in the trees and all the birds all at a lovely 15mph.
Just as the trail turned from paved to a nice compact gravel we stopped in the shade of the trees and had some water. As we continued just 100 feet the trees opened up and we found ourselves on the shore of Cystal Lake and a beach with Caribbean blue waters! It was so stark (from forest to Caribbean) that we just stopped in awe and wonder. There was a group of Filipinos having a beach party with music and dancing. Of course, we showed our approval and started dancing along with them from up at the trail. They saw us and invited us to join them! Oh my gosh! They had so much food! I’m sure we would have invited anyone in as well. It was super good and really nice of them to let us join in for 15 minutes. They are just a bunch of Filipinos who get together once a year for a beach party, and now, we are apparently invited every year! We exchanged a card with them and told them if they ever find themselves near us they should come visit!
We continued the gravel path that now had entered into the private backyards of the Michigan’s upper class. It was like the trail at Lake Geneva, only much more graded so that bikes and such could pass by. Michigan is a well-kept secret for her beauty. The lakes here are beautiful and I don’t think many people really know that! Also, Michigan rich is a thing that I fully don’t understand but there is a lot of older money around the coasts and fine lakes and the houses are jaw dropping.
We made it to town and decided to check out the local brewery for a drink and to say we did something at Crystal Lake. I had some house vodka lemonade that was nice and refreshing.
We returned home via the path around early evening. Something about riding the scooters makes us sore. Probably from just standing and the lack of suspension. Captain wanted to charge the scooters so we decided to put them on the charger and take a pre-dinner walk which I had the great idea to have dessert before dinner. I got my wish. One amazing waffle cone and mint chocolate chip ice cream was just what the doctor ordered for a sunset pre-dinner walk snack.
Eventually we made our way back to Ciara and with the cooler temps we had no issue making fajitas for dinner. While Captain made dinner, I took it upon myself to tidy up Ciara as we have been living like slobs and leaving things here and there since we don’t have a full boat! I also changed our sheets as the sand was starting to feel like sleeping in sand paper.
After dinner we took our already drained batteries back to shore to charge while we took showers!!! Those felt amazing and when we finally got back to Ciara for the night and tucked our clean selves into our clean bed with cooler temps, we both fell asleep instantly!
