August 29, 2023

This one-night stop proves to have many surprises:

• Great Harvest – my favorite bakery
• Mexican and drones with Bill and Margie
• Grand Haven Musical Fountain Show

We depart Ludington early in the morning and follow Margie and Bill on their Grand Banks, Crustacean. Leaving Ludington, we see people out on their boats already fishing.

It is a nice ride to Grand Haven. Two lighthouses greet us as we enter the harbor, one shaped like the bow of a boat.

We dock ‘on the wall’ just outside the town. This is less expensive than staying at a marina ($40/night.) There is no water or electricity, but we can manage without that for one evening.

Great Harvest Bakery

A three-mile shop- and restaurant-lined boardwalk runs along the harbor to Grand Haven State Park beach and the south pier, home of the 1839 Grand Haven Lighthouse.

We see many joggers and families with strollers and dogs taking advantage of the boardwalk. We heard a trail with lake views winds through wooded dunes at nearby Rosy Mound Natural Area.

I take a quick walk downtown. Grand Haven is a welcome spot for boaters, with coffee shops, eateries, galleries, museums, and historical sites.  

But what catches my eye is the Great Harvest Bread Company.

You know how some spots just remind you of a favorite place? Great Harvest reminds me of Owensboro, Kentucky, my hometown. When in Owensboro we always go there for the best sandwiches and no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies. This location does not serve lunch fare. They do offer fresh scones, breads, and cookies.

Best of all – you get a free sample of bread. This isn’t your Costco sample in a plastic cup. It’s a whole slice of fresh baked bread. So, you have to buy something. I leave with blueberry and cinnamon chip scones for tomorrow’s breakfast.

https://www.greatharvest.com/

I highly recommend a stop at Great Harvest if you ever get the chance. The atmosphere is so welcoming, with inspirational Christian quotes on the wall and friendly staff.

I Want What He’s Having

Ever gone to a restaurant, they serve the meals, and you think “I wish I had ordered that!” Margie and Bill scope out the town and recommend a Mexican restaurant steps away from our boat. Turns out to be a great choice

I can’t decide what to order – grappling between the sampler plate (taco, tostado, and enchilada) or the ‘special’ burrito. I opt for the sampler. Bill orders the burrito.

I should have ordered the burrito.

It’s the largest burrito I’ve ever seen. It would have fed me for three days. All our meals are wonderful with leftovers for later.

Sunshine Gets an Aerial Photo Shoot – from Bill’s Drone

The big surprise before dinner is the aerial photo shoot Bill conducts with his drone. I’m amazed how he can control the movement of the drone so accurately. And the quality of the camera. Bill takes several aerial shots of Sunshine and Grand Haven.

We are so grateful for these photos – and for Margie and Bill’s friendship. Both are amazing!

Grand Haven Musical Fountain

Grand Haven is known for its seasonal Grand Haven Musical Fountain that features synchronized light and water shows. It’s shown on a hill directly across from our boats.

Around 9 p.m. we join Bill and Margie on their fly bridge to watch the show – incredible view. The show was much more than I expected. It reminds me of the Bellagio water fountain show in Las Vegas. The colors, the sound system, the music selection – all spectacular. Fantastic free entertainment. Spectators on the boardwalk and in boats enjoy the show nightly.

Sunshine departs the next morning for South Haven, Michigan. Bill and Margie are staying in Grand Haven for a few more days. We sure hope to catch up with them later on, either in Chicago or down the rivers.

Leaving Grand Haven poses a bit of a problem with all the fishing boats. Margie aptly calls them “bumper boats.” Captain Pat finds a boat to follow.

His wake makes it a bit easier. Off we go to South Haven.