Days 139-141 Thursday Sept 4-Saturday Sept 6, 2025

THURSDAY

Weather may have kept us grounded today (and likely the next few days), but that didn’t stop us from making the most of it.

We (Ron,Alisa, Jeff & I) spent the day exploring something truly unexpected and magical — the famous mushroom houses (also called gnome homes or hobbit houses), tucked right here in town. These fairytale-like cottages were the vision of Earl Young, a local legend who had a lifelong love affair with rocks. Seriously — the guy collected boulders like most people collect stamps.

In the early 1900s, he began crafting some of the most unique homes I’ve ever seen, using massive stones he dragged from Lake Michigan by hand and sheer will. His goal? To prove that a small, whimsical stone cottage could rival the grandeur of a castle. Mission accomplished, Earl.

Each home feels like it’s straight out of a storybook — curved lines, mossy roofs, and those unforgettable stone details. The history behind it all is deeply rooted in this town and absolutely worth the tour.

After our little architectural adventure, we strolled through town, did some shopping, and ended up at the Weathervane Restaurant — another one of Earl Young’s creations. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a living piece of his legacy.

We sat at the bar and met Vlad, the bartender, who was an absolute character (in the best way). We all had SO MUCH FUN with him! We shared warm bread, a whitefish trio, some killer clam chowder, and of course — martinis all around. 🍸

One of the most incredible features inside? A massive boulder built right into the fireplace. Earl was so taken with that particular rock, he hid it for over 20 years before finally incorporating it into the Weathervane. Talk about long-term vision.

All in all, it was a terrific way to spend a rainy day — surrounded by cozy charm, local lore, fantastic friends and a martini to top it off!

FRIDAY

Another wild, windy, and rainy day on the lake — but that didn’t stop us from venturing out to see the waves. And wow… they did not disappoint. Forecast said 10-footers, but just a bit south they were rolling in at 14 feet! Spectacular to watch — from a safe distance. No thank you, Poseidon. 🌊

We ducked into The Happy Troll Deli & Pub for lunch, and it totally lived up to the name — cozy vibes, great food, and the perfect place to warm up after the wind.

Afterward, we wandered through town again, checking out a few more shops and making a stop at the local fish market to pick up some dips (because priorities).

The evening was slow and sweet — we hung out on the back deck of the boat, watching the sky play games with us: a few golden rays breaking through one minute, followed by sheets of rain the next.

Dinner was just appetizers, laughter, and soaking in our last evening with friends. Simple, relaxed, and kind of perfect.

But then… just as we were wrapping up for the night, we thought we heard something — a tiny, high-pitched cry, barely audible over the rain.

A kitten.

Us girls went to investigate and sure enough, we found it — I’m sure it was soaked and shivering under the dock by the gangplank. We called to it; it meowed back, over and over… until the sound faded. Whether from exhaustion, fear, or the cold, it finally went quiet. 💔

There wasn’t much we could do in the dark and storm, but it was heartbreaking to walk away. We’re hoping for a better chance to help in the morning.

SATURDAY

The rain had finally eased, but the wind still wasn’t letting up. First order of the day: Operation Save the Kitty.

Alisa headed up to the marina office first thing to let them know about the kitten we’d heard crying under the dock the night before. Within minutes, two amazing women from the marina came out to investigate. After assessing the situation, they decided to wait for the dock master to arrive before taking action.

Meanwhile, we had to say a bittersweet goodbye to our friends, who caught a local cab for the hour-long ride to Traverse City. We had hoped to take them ourselves, but the wind had other plans.

Back to the kitty…

When the dock master arrived, he didn’t waste a second. He started pulling up dock boards right away, and soon his wife and the two women from the office joined in to help. The kitten, hearing the commotion, started crying louder — a mix of fear and maybe a little hope.

They finally pinpointed where it was stuck: behind a header beam. Out came the skill saw. More boards were cut. The cries got louder. And then — freedom. The tiny kitten darted out, terrified… and in a panic, leapt into the freezing cold water.

Without hesitation, the dock master reached in and scooped it out, wrapping it in a towel and holding it close.

And then came the moment that made this story unforgettable.

I told him, “You should keep the kitten — you saved it.”

He paused, and then quietly said, “I think I will. We just lost our dog last week… it’s been hard. This feels like a sign.”

He’s thinking of naming it Doc — after the dock where it was rescued, and maybe even a little nod to fate. 🐾💙

Next great story of the day- we are Great grand parents! Granddaughter Maia and her husband Tyler had a baby boy this morning! Bennett Lee-Roy Carns was born at 7:30am. He is healthy and beautiful and all are doing well!

After that emotional morning, the afternoon settled into a slower rhythm: laundry (as always), and then a meet-up with fellow Loopers in the marina lounge. There was a casual burger cookout going on for the college football game. We didn’t stay too long, but long enough to share some stories and swap plans.

Right now, the weather window looks best for a Monday departure. The plan is to head down to Leland for two nights, then make our crossing over to Door County on Wednesday, when the lake should (hopefully!) calm down.

Here’s hoping the forecast holds… and that Doc the kitten is settling into his new home just fine. ❤️