Harbor Hopping 2025: Days 8 & 9, East Tawas

7/26/2025

Friday, July 25, 2025

We woke early today, both of us excited for the crossing over Saginaw Bay. After a quick breakfast, we completed the usual tasks—prepping the boat and loading up the dinghy—and by 10:22 a.m., we were pulling out of Caseville.

As much as we enjoyed our time there, we were ready to head for East Tawas, one of our favorite destinations. Caseville Municipal Marina is surrounded by high retaining walls, which makes for incredibly still water. And while I normally welcome calm and tranquility, the stillness felt too still—though I was deeply grateful for the protection it provided during Thursday’s storm. We were safely tucked in, watching the intense wind and rain from the comfort of our boat.

The ride across the bay took about an hour. With waves under a foot and clear skies above, it was smooth and beautiful. By 1:00, we were nestled into our new slip and eating lunch on the back of the boat.

This is our fifth time visiting East Tawas by boat, so everything feels familiar and easy. We could hardly wait to hop into the dinghy and cruise over to Tawas Point Lighthouse, one of our favorite places to walk the beach. It felt quieter than in years past—not nearly as many people and not nearly as windy.

What surprised us most were the low water levels. Even in the dinghy, we had to be cautious to avoid hitting bottom. The sandbars made it easy to beach and walk across the point to the other side. In some places, the water felt like a warm bath—so inviting beneath the soft breeze. I found myself wanting to wade deeper than just my ankles.

That evening, we walked into town and had dinner at G’s Pizzeria, then made our way back to the boat for a quiet early night.

Saturday, July 26, 2025
It felt so good to sleep in, knowing there was absolutely nothing on the agenda. We spent a long, leisurely morning reading and watching the gentle rhythm of dock life—boats coming and going, people wandering past.

Around 1:00 p.m., a steady rain began to fall and lingered for a few hours. We stayed cozy under the canvas, listening to the soothing sound of raindrops above.

Later in the afternoon, we walked into town and browsed several shops before heading to the Tawas Bay Beach Resort for a drink. A band called the Rockabilly Devils was playing—such a fun mix of 50s and 60s hits with a splash of Stray Cats energy. The lead singer even sounded like a young Elvis!

We kept things simple for dinner—warming up homemade Bolognese we had brought from home and enjoyed it on the back of the boat.

Now, as I write, the clouds are parting and the sun is peeking through—just in time for what promises to be a spectacular sunset.

Hello East Tawas!

Not your typical kitchen view, but one that fills me with joy. A basket of citrus, fresh basil, and the glimmer of water through the portal—it's the simplest things that make me feel most at home.