Great Loop: Grand Haven Michigan

Light House at Entrance to Grand Haven Channel

Grand Haven is a lovely town.  One in which it is easy to linger.  Recreation, at least in the summer time, has clearly become an important part of it's story.  From talking to locals, they shared that refugees from Florida's summer heat also migrate to town and then return to Florida for the winter.  New loft apartments are under construction along the waterfront.  Perhaps to serve this population.  

There is also a sizeable Coast Guard Base in town.  Grand Haven loves their Coasties!  Every year there is a Coast Guard Festival which draws a large number of visitors.  If you are in the area during the Festival, stop by and honor those that serve.

We arrived in Grand Haven after a 68 mile run south from Ludington.  This picture was sent to us by another Looper who got the shot from their drone as we were in transit.  It was very nice of them to send us a shot of Amy Marie underway.  

A shot of Amy Marie entering Grand Haven Harbor.

A welcoming committee was waiting for us when we arrived!  Daughter Katie, her friend Lyndsay, and Jean (Lyndsay's Mom), had made the drive from Grand Rapids to welcome us to town!  This made for a very festive arrival.  We had not seen Katie since Christmas time, so this was a real treat!

There were hugs all around and everyone was talking at once.  It was clear all were excited to meet and spend some time together.  Following hugs, the gang wanted a tour of Amy Marie.  They had never been aboard and only knew our Loop home from pictures.  Tour completed, it didn't take long, we walked into Grand Haven for a beer and lunch.  It was great to visit and get caught up.  As darkness approached, we reluctantly let the ladies return to Grand Rapids.  We would rejoin them in two days to help celebrate Jean's birthday!

Here is a shot of the Grand Haven Harbor break water at sunset

An animated fountain that sprays water to the accompaniment of music and lights is a staple of  Grand Haven summer evenings

Here is the gang that joined Jean's birthday celebration.  The party was held at a friends house.  A wonderful venue for the festivities.

The owner of the home, as a father/son project, built a tank body over a golf cart frame for his young son.  He used it to keep his son off screens and also to teach useful design and fabrication skills.  The kid loved showing it off and driving it around.  I can attest, the did a first class job!

Adjacent to where we parked the boat, Grand Haven had preserve an old Grand Turk Railroad coal tipple.  Steam Locomotives needed to replenish their supply of coal, which was used to fire the boiler.  The engine would pull underneath the coal tipple and coal would be loaded into the car directly after the engine.  In most cases, this car would also carry the water which was then heated to produce steam.

Here you can see the car which was loaded with water and coal.

While in Grand Rapids, we visited the Fredrick Meijer Gardens.  There are miles of trails which wind around various art installations.

One of our favorite areas was the Japanese Gardens portion of the park.

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Berthing Information

• We stayed at the Grand Haven Municipal Marina, right on the waterfront and in the center of downtown.
• They had good restrooms and showers.  
• Fuel and pump out is offered at nearby private marinas.

Track Log