Elk Rapids - Lake Michigan

Elk Rapids

We left Charlevoix and travelled to a small harbour called Elk Rapids expecting it to be a little back water marina up a creek. Instead it turned out to be a newly upgraded marina, with clean facilities and the town within walking distance. The shops were very modern, arty and with good quality products & the men found a hardware store, the equivalent of a gift shop or grocery store for women. The community library that had been bequeathed to the town was comfortably set up in an old restored house with armchairs & rockers and a fire place – very inviting on cooler days.

Next day, Larry, whom we had had drinks with at the Brewery in Charlevoix came & picked us up to take us to his part of Michigan and show us around the local area. We got the tour of his large home, chicken house & barn which was full of boys toys – vintage motor cycles, a couple of snow mobiles, and ski boat. He then hauled out a couple of boats which we launched on a nearby river – the Manistee - and with Ted & Sue in the canoe & Colin & I in the kayak, we floated down the river for about an hour & a half paddling when necessary to avoid logs or very shallow areas – no one got wet or capsized. We saw trout, many log cabins (summer cottages) on the banks, blue jays & a hawk and enjoyed a peaceful time away from busy harbours and bumpy water. Colin later enjoyed some 4 wheel driving on a 'gator' through the sand trails – first with Larry driving & then with Larry holding on while Colin got the feel. We sat around an open pit fire then enjoyed a BBQ dinner with Larry & wife Deb & son before he delivered us back to the boat. We are continually amazed at the generosity of the Americans who invite us to share meals with them and show us around their homes. Larry's neighbour, Tom, from whose river bank we launched the canoes from, proudly showed us through his two log cabins one of which he had built himself. He was a former CEO or similar of Pilkington Glass and he and his wife were a delight to chat with. He was very proud of a new 'medical' bed that moves up and down & had just been delivered and set up. He invited us in by shaking my hand and saying “would you like to come and see my new bed?'' What a great opening line!