Saugatuck/Douglas and My Chapman

In 2004, several new stimuli accelerated my fantastic voyage. The first stimulus was that I had gotten married in 2003 (I was a professor in the School of Information at the University of Michigan - Go Blue!). My wife Noemi and I lived in Ann Arbor and were interested in exploring our wonderful state of Michigan.   In this exploration, we were amazed by the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, Holland, the Upper Peninsula and the historic Mackinac Island, and its longstanding prohibition against motorized vehicles on the island. While these treats of the state were incredibly interesting, what struck us the most was the tremendous boating life on the Great Lakes (both sailing and power boats).  Clearly, one of the jewels in the crown of Michigan boating are the amazing twin towns of Saugatuck/Douglas.  These two beautiful towns of Saugatuck and Douglas are separated by a little footbridge, and have a spectacular marina.  Noemi and I strolled along the marina smitten by the boats, and dreaming of the possibilities - one day.  As a treat (and perhaps an inspiration), we stopped into a wonderful used book store and Noemi bought me my first Chapman's Guide.  Formally known as Chapman Piloting & Seamanship, but referred to by most people as the Chapman's Guide, Chapman, or simply "the Boating Bible."  I still have this Chapman, and refer to it frequently.