Sailing with Bob & Vickie

Vessel Name: Serendipity
Vessel Make/Model: Hunter 41
Hailing Port: Michigan City, Indiana
Crew: Vickie Holsapple and Bob Lucas
Extra:
Our adventure begins the summer of 2015 - sailing a 2004 Hunter 41 from the cozy home port of Anchors Way Marina in beautiful Saint Joseph, Michigan to destinations south with the goal of wintering in the Bahamas. Our planned route will take us through the great lakes of Michigan, Huron, and Erie [...]
27 October 2015 | River Forest Manor Marina, Belhaven, NC
26 October 2015 | Alligator River Marina, Columbia, North Carolina
25 October 2015 | City Docks, Elizabeth City, North Carolina
24 October 2015 | tied to bridge fender system, South Mills, North Carolina
23 October 2015 | Salt Ponds Marina Resort, Hampton, Virginia
22 October 2015 | Dozier's Regatta Point Marina, Deltaville, VA
20 October 2015 | Zahniser Yachting Center, Solomons, Maryland
19 October 2015 | Annapolis, MD
18 October 2015 | Worton Creek Marina, Chesterton, Maryland
17 October 2015 | City Dock, Chesapeake City, Maryland
16 October 2015 | Chesapeake City Dock, Chesapeake City, Maryland
15 October 2015 | Utsch's Marina, Cape May, New Jersey
13 October 2015 | Utsch's Marina, Cape May, New Jersey
12 October 2015 | Utsch's Marina, Cape May, New Jersey
11 October 2015 | Seaview Harbor Marina, Great Egg Harbor Inlet, Longport, New Jersey
10 October 2015 | Mansion Marina, Staten Island, New York
09 October 2015 | Half Moon Bay Marina, Croton on Hudson, NY
08 October 2015 | Riverview Marina, Catskill Creek, New York
05 October 2015 | Donovan's Shady Harbor Marina - New Baltimore, NY
04 October 2015 | New Baltimore, NY
Recent Blog Posts
26 August 2018

Well, we did it! We are finally back where this whole adventure started on Aug 27, 2015 at our home port at St. Joseph, MI. We have put 1,184 hours on Serendipity and traveled about 5,000 miles in three years (with frequent months at home) and we are still speaking to each other. [...]

25 August 2018

Three Days in Grand Haven - This place earns her name!

We spend three days in Grand Haven, MI and we await a weather opening to bring Serendipity to St. Joseph, MI, where this adventure began. We love Grand Haven and are entertained each evening with a phenomenal water light show.

22 August 2018

Snug Harbor at Pentwater, MI - Wow!

2 Great days at Snug Harbor at Pentwater, MI

20 August 2018

Serendipity is back on Lake Michigan

A few stops on Lake Michigan

17 August 2018

Love the boating community

Almost to Lake Michigan

15 August 2018

Lake Huron - we're here!

Enter Lake Huron and the harbors are fairly vacant. Where is everybody? That's okay - the quiet harbors give you time to truly enjoy this beautiful country and the wildlife that I truly hope we can preserve for generations that follow. We have done a small part by delivering a few small land birds, [...]

26 August 2018
Well, we did it! We are finally back where this whole adventure started on Aug 27, 2015 at our home port at St. Joseph, MI. We have put 1,184 hours on Serendipity and traveled about 5,000 miles in three years (with frequent months at home) and we are still speaking to each other. We hope you have enjoyed our blog.

Serendipity has definitely earned her name. We have experienced so many places and met people that will always have a piece of our hearts. To our dear friends in Beaufort, SC, our families, our beloved friends who hopped aboard and those who continually kept in contact - words cannot express what you mean to us - it brings a tear to our eyes.

Love to all!


A recap of our arrival to Anchors Way, St. Joseph, MI

Aug 26 - Leave Grand Haven at 6:29 AM in heavy fog, waters are smooth but so foggy most of the day. At 2:57 PM we are at West Basin Marina to fuel up and pump out then wait for 2 bridges to get Serendipity back to Anchors Way Marina, St Joseph, MI and we arrive at 3:50 PM. Beers with Ken (who bid us bon voyage in 2015), a dip in the pool, showers and relax on the boat. We are home.

Three Days in Grand Haven - This place earns her name!

25 August 2018
We spend three days in Grand Haven, MI and we await a weather opening to bring Serendipity to St. Joseph, MI, where this adventure began. We love Grand Haven and are entertained each evening with a phenomenal water light show.

Aug 23 - Leave Pentwater at 7:05 AM and according to weather reports it shouldn't be a bad traveling today. It is not good - the waves are not especially large but they are coming at such intervals and produce waves that roll the boat - I believe the correct definition is swells. At 1:57 PM, we are glad to be in slip 13 at Grand Haven Municipal Marina. We anticipate bad weather for the next couple days and we are hoping the marina has some no shows because the marina is expecting to be full for a few days and can't promise a spot for us beyond today.

Aug 24 - Water, wind, and waves are as predicted - good to be in a secure marina. We move to slip 16. The marina is not full, many boaters must have changed their plans and decided to stay put rather than fight the wind and waves. The lighthouse is cut off from the pier by waves slapping over the pier.

Aug 25 - We are definitely being rocked to sleep. Sometime during the night a 3/4 inch dock line breaks but Bob replaces with new line. We are planning a long day tomorrow and hope the wind and waves provides a safe passage. We are coming to the end of this awesome adventure.

Picture - Vickie finds time to spend at the fountain where she meets some awesome kids and perhaps provides a little sugar. How did my grandkids grow up so fast?

Snug Harbor at Pentwater, MI - Wow!

22 August 2018
2 Great days at Snug Harbor at Pentwater, MI

8/21/18 Leave Frankfort at 6:37 AM - it is still pretty dark and the water is choppy (some 5 footers). While en route we receive a call from Snug Harbor at Pentwater saying they assume we won't arrive today because of weather and water conditions (not this boat - we are still coming) - all the boats in the Harbor are staying put - so no slips but they can put us on the wall. At 1:15 PM, we arrive at Snug Harbor at Pentwater, MI - this marina and the owners and crew are beyond belief. They pump the fuel and do the most thorough pump out (these might seem like small things but in the boating world, this is quite a treat)l The caliber of service in this marina is what draws us back. We get to stay 2 nights so we can clean the boat, do laundry and shop before heading to Grand Haven. I love a marina where I can actually take a long hot shower off the boat. Wonderful facilities! Thumbs Up!

8/22/18 Lots of laundry, fabulous lunch - loved our server Emily - Good luck at college! We do a little shopping then back to the boat. We really enjoy meeting Bob & Cindy, our boat neighbors, and had the opportunity to teach their granddaughter how to play LCR: She wins every time. Nice evening at Pentwater, MI.

Serendipity is back on Lake Michigan

20 August 2018
A few stops on Lake Michigan

Beaver Island, Northport, & Frankfort

8/18/18 - At 6:20 AM, it's time to leave Cheboygan County Marina. . We are finally on Lake Michigan - Yea! Bob chooses Beaver Island as our next stop so at 1:35 PM we arrive at the Municipal Dock. The Coast Guard comes aboard to check out the boat and we pass the exam - All is good! This is such a Beautiful Island. We are very sad to hear that our sweet neighbor, Maxine Dunker, is no longer with us. Bob, Iris & I loved this lady. We send our prayers and condolences to her family.

8/19/18 - Leave Beaver Island Dock at 7:00 AM and arrive at Northport Marina at 1:12 PM. Bob makes a short trip to the store and then he spends some time working on the boat. We are tied on the wall next an awesome boat named "Warrior - Sailing" - this boat is helping military service members on the water by healing and strengthening. How wonderful! Okay now it is beach time so we actually get to walk into fresh water with soft gorgeous sand below. Lake Michigan has so much to offer. We head back to the boat for a wonderful dinner in the cockpit while enjoying our surroundings. Michigan - what a beautiful state!

8/20/18 - Bid farewell to Northport MI at 6:37 AM, pretty long day. At 2:30 PM we are assisted at our slip at Frankfort Muncipal Marina, Frankfort, MI. Very pretty area just steps from the boat so we venture off the boat for lunch - good choice. We enjoy some tasty food along with a local brew while we soak in the wonderful view at Stormcloud Brewing Company. We stroll through this beautiful town and absolutely love Betsie Bay and the quaint little shops. Vickie can't walk by the ice cream store and Bob can't pass up a stop at the hardware store. This town is a definite Thumbs Up. We hope to revisit this place again.

Love the boating community

17 August 2018
Almost to Lake Michigan

Presque Isle and Cheboygan

8/16/18 - Another early morning as we leave Harrisville, MI at 6:42 AM. Looks like it might be a good day for smooth sailing. I love reading a James Patterson book and chilling out on the boat. At 1:22 PM, we arrive at Presque Isle State Harbor, Presque Isle, MI. The water in the harbor is very clear and this is a beautiful spot. Bob is planning to do some fishing off the boat today. Later in the afternoon Don & Jan Fisher are in the slip next to us. We met them at Harbor Beach Marina and they followed us to Harrisville upon Bob's recommendation and so far they like his choice of spots. I love the path they have chosen - they are committed to having the adventure of a lifetime. They sold their home and most of their belongings (you know the stuff that bogs us down) and are traveling the famous loop.
Before you know it we are sharing stories with other boaters - Tom & Ann O'Donovan - Love our fellow boaters!! The six of us had a wonderful dinner at the marina restaurant. Funny story: Vickie goes to the restaurant to get a table and when Bob shows up he tells the waiter he is looking for a lady in a tablecloth dress and he immediately tells him where I'm sitting. Annie & Jan love my dress and we had so much fun (Annie loves her Walmart dress & Jan loves her Crackerbarrel dress).

8/17/18 - Leave Presque Isle State Harbor at 6:15 AM, Annie radios us and wants to know if I'm wearing my tablecloth dress- funny girl. We make a quick stop at Cheboygan County Marina for fuel and then wait on the bridge and soon we are tied to the Cheboygan City Dock to run a errand in town. Both of us decide we like the County Marina better so at 2:58 PM, we are finally settled in for the night. Another beautiful marina run by the DNR. Dinner on the boat and early to bed. We both enjoy the name of the boat in slip very near "Myasisdragon" - Pretty funny!

Lake Huron - we're here!

15 August 2018
Enter Lake Huron and the harbors are fairly vacant. Where is everybody? That's okay - the quiet harbors give you time to truly enjoy this beautiful country and the wildlife that I truly hope we can preserve for generations that follow. We have done a small part by delivering a few small land birds, who have gone too far out to sea, back to land. What a beautiful, awesome experience!

Aug 13 through Aug 15

8/13/18 -Time to leave St Clair, MI at 8:00 AM - slow travel day going against the current (at times less than 3 knots) but at 1:13 PM we dock at Lexington State Harbor, Lexington, MI. - very few boats. We are now on Lake Huron.

8/14/18 - Leave Lexington State Harbor at 6:05 AM, We do get to use the sails today and arrive at Harbor Beach Marina, Harbor Beach, MI at 12:30 PM. Very vacant marina but we meet Don & Jan Fisher.

8/15/18 At 6:05 AM, we begin our day (actually Vickie went back to bed). We leave Harbor Beach Marina and soon we are cutting across the thumb of Michigan. While en route two small birds hitch a ride - the water is a bit rough and it is windy. We have no clue how these small land birds have gotten so far from land and they are fighting the wind. Before long they find their way into the cockpit and are safely traveling with us. One bird decides to sit on Capt Bob's shoulder "The Pirate of the Great Lakes". I am reminded of Long John Silvers and the parrot on his shoulder but he has nothing on Capt Bob with his parakeet. Traveling on a sailboat is truly awesome. At 2:00 PM we pull into the fuel dock at Harrisville Harbor Refuge, Harrisville, MI. The girls at the dock are very impressive - assisting with fuel and pump-out. This harbor gets another thumbs up!
Serendipity's Photos - Main
August 2018 Memories
42 Photos
Created 29 August 2018
20 Photos
Created 22 August 2018
18 Photos
Created 21 August 2018
24 Photos
Created 19 April 2018
Our trip in the Abacos
57 Photos
Created 6 March 2018
37 Photos
Created 4 February 2018
Back to Lady's Island
14 Photos
Created 31 January 2018
On the ICW
34 Photos
Created 12 March 2017
Lady's Island with friends
46 Photos
Created 28 February 2017
13 Photos
Created 31 December 2016
12 Photos
Created 19 November 2016
7 Photos
Created 8 November 2016
7 Photos
Created 16 October 2016
8 Photos
Created 16 October 2016
Thursday June 16, 2016
11 Photos
Created 16 June 2016
1 Photo
Created 15 June 2016
Leaving Lady's Island, Arriving Palms Island Marina
6 Photos
Created 14 June 2016
Time spent with old friends and new friends - Awesome month
36 Photos
Created 1 April 2016
Family visits and fun with fellow boaters
22 Photos
Created 1 March 2016
Staying on Serendipity in the marina
20 Photos
Created 1 February 2016
51 Photos
Created 5 November 2015
Stephanie wants to join
27 Photos
Created 17 October 2015
Beautiful scenery - leaves are changing colors
16 Photos
Created 9 October 2015
What a fun bunch! Hard workers, big hearts and full of spirit - our kind of people
29 Photos
Created 8 October 2015
Another fabulous meal at the marina restaurant
9 Photos
Created 3 October 2015
30 Photos
Created 29 September 2015
18 Photos
Created 26 September 2015
18 Photos
Created 25 September 2015
19 Photos
Created 22 September 2015
14 Photos
Created 20 September 2015
22 Photos
Created 19 September 2015
5 Photos
Created 18 September 2015
Boat Appliances
8 Photos
Created 17 September 2015
10 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 15 September 2015

About & Links

Photo Albums
29 August 2018
42 Photos
22 August 2018
20 Photos