I love winter!  I jump up and down and get all excited when the first snow happens.  I enjoy going out and shoveling the driveway with the Lake Effect snow gently brings down the white stuff.  It's great to go skiing at one of the local ski resorts with family and friends.  Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without snow.  Let's all sing together, "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas."  

But.....it's March and it's time for a Spring Thaw!  My mind is dreaming of sitting on the back of the boat and enjoying a beverage with the sun shining, ripples on the water, and my favorite friends enjoying the Lake Effect that I really love.  

I really believe that Michigan is special because of the four season.  It makes you ready and anticipating the next.  Now that it's spring... Summer can't come quick enough.  Boat on my friends and enjoy the Lake Effect in Muskegon, Michigan.

I had a chance to visit some great places along the Shores of Muskegon this weekend. The first stop, Muskegon Yacht Club Open House, then on to Torresen Marine Spring Thaw event, finishing the day at Great Lakes Marina with the crew at Lakeshore Yacht Sales. Spring always brings a feeling of excitement as we anticipate the start of another boating season. I enjoyed seeing the newer docks and new bar area at MYC, loved the sailing products available at Torresen and Great Lakes had refreshed signs with new.  While all these places have buildings, docks and signs, what struck me the most was the people. It's the locals that make a place special.  

When I walked through the door at the Yacht Club, I was greeted by Nikki. She said "hi", showed me to the dining area where Kim the manager welcomed me to the club. Soon I was eating chili and talking to Corrine and Garret as we dreamed about summer sailing, swimming in the MYC pool and enjoying all the MYC events. Donna soon introduced herself and introduced me to 2 new members Joe and Jim that had just joined the club. Larry and Andy came over, MYC Board members ,as they explained the clubs mission and goal.

At Torresen's Judi greeted me as I walked into the Spring Thaw, Torresen's Spring event with vendors booths and special presentations about sailing and boating news. After signing me up for a chance to win some great door prizes, we talked about the summer Sailstice held in Muskegon each year. As I wondered through the exhibits, I talked with reps form the Muskegon Power Squadron concerning boating safety classes, and the area director of NOAA, Dennis Donahue about the federal grant that brings restoration projects to finish and the next steps in creating a Blue Print for development and growth.

Marjorie at Great Lakes greeted me with a smile, as she was servicing a new customer for a slip.  It was great to see her again.  I turned to see Dave salesman with Lakeshore Yacht Sales as we started talking about boats for sale and all the fun events happening on Muskegon Lake, including the powerboat weekend.  
It is the locals that make places special, the smiles, the conversation and the willingness to include visitors in the fun.  I hope you have the same experience as you get the chance to meet the locals.

Muskegon Michigan... where locals smile and visitors are always welcome.