The Michigan DNR — & Harbor Springs, Michigan
Well – in St. Ignace (last Sunday), the Michigan DNR followed us as we were entering our slip at the marina & ticketed us for being an “unregistered” boat. Tennessee does not require US Coast Guard documented yachts to be state registered, unless they’re in the state for more than 90 days (which we have not been). Hank explained that to the young, enthusiastic officer, but he ticketed us anyway. Checking (after the Labor Day holiday) with Tennessee, the DNR officer found that we were correct and agreed to suspend the ticket for 2 months pending resolution of our state registration. Many states do not require documented yachts to be registered and we have traveled without problem thru 18 states & 5,600 miles, with no state registration in the past 11 months. Many other boats are in the same situation. We now must decide whether or not to state register in some state or to continue as we have – a hassle we really didn’t need!!!
Moving forward, yesterday we had our longest trip in the past few weeks (58 miles) into Lake Michigan; we’re currently at the municipal marina in Harbor Springs. We were surprised to be met at the dock by our friends off Deborah Ann, Jeff & Deb! We came down the Mississippi River with them & last saw them in Port St. Joe, FL last February. It’s been good to catch up on our travels & reconnect with such good people! We were also met by the harbormaster, Mike Johnson, who has raced at the Level Regatta in Youngstown, NY & knows our good friend, Don Finkle – once again – it’s a small world after all.
This morning we did household chores – has to be done on occasion! And afterward we toured this village – very upscale & quite charming. A nice day here — & we’re invited to dinner on Deborah Ann – what could be more right after a nice day. We’re looking forward to Jeff & Deb’s expertise on traveling down the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. We’ll take our Skipper Bob book to dinner & mark it up with all the places to see – and places to avoid.
