Portage Ponit Inn.Onekama, Michigan.

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04-30-2011, 11:11 AM
magicalbill

Portage Ponit Inn.Onekama, Michigan.

Hi All;
Hope everyone is in good health, spirits and is gearing up to hit the ignition on our favorite boats to enter the 2011 season.
If this is of interest, please read this all the way through. I have tried to mention all the details that you would need to decide if this is something for you.
Rather than mention this on the Chat Page, as I have in the past, I though I'd put it here. Before I describe the scenario, I want to mention I am not overseeing or organizing this get-together. It is strictly between you all and the management of Portage Point Inn to book rooms, reserve dockage and agree on pricing. I am merely suggesting it since both Jason's and my 16's will be there. Gold-N-Rod and JustSayNo2 have given it their official "thumbs up;" and the potential exists for great photo opp's in the shallows in front of the Inn.

THE PLACE.
South of Traverse City and North of Ludington lies Portage Lake. It is one of only 2 ports of entry on the Western Shore of Lake Michigan that has clean water. (Lake Charlevoix is the other.) It is roughly 3 miles long, has an adequate ramp in the village of Onekama at the foot of the lake and good depths in most areas. You'll need your mate to drive the tow vehicle and empty trailer to the softball diamond near the Inn to drop off the trailer while you run the Donzi across to the Point. Leave the Green Can Bouy to Starboard as you pass Andy's Point on the way to the Hotel.
Portage Point Inn was where I worked as a kid in the 70's. It has an old, laid-back feel to it and plenty of dockage is available. The Hotel is retro and has a "warm fireside" vibe to it. Here it is..
www.portagepointinn.com

If you decide to call to investigate further, ask the front desk personnel to put you in touch with the marina staff for dockage rates and info.
PLEASE be aware that while there are several docking options, the hotel is in a free-running area of the lake. Therefore, there is NOT a No Wake Zone, and the wakes from passing boats are endless during daylite hours and good weather. PLEASE tie and fender accordingly! Plus, occasionally there are strong East winds preceding inclement weather and the 3 mile fetch of the Lake allows for short stacked 2-3 footers in extreme conditions.

THE REASON.
Depending on how many of you make the trip, the potential exists for multiple Donzis. This alone makes it worth considering.
When Lake Michigan is rough, Portage Lake offers limited, but adequate cruising. Your rigs could be wound up to full bore on the South Shore with reasonable caution. On calm days, the offshore runs on Lake MI are some of the finest scenery anywhere. Hi sand dune bluffs, forests and deserted beaches and clear water. Vis has been as much as 20 feet on my depthsounder in certain conditions. Frankfort lies 18 miles North with Arcadia in between. Manistee is 8 miles South. Both are easy runs in calm seas and both have waterside restaurants with dockage.

Our band will perform in a large tent near the beach Friday and Saturday nite, July 22nd and 23rd. With all modesty included, it's a rockin' act(Ask Jerry Eisele) and there are cottage summer residents, Hotel guests and large cruising rigs that make the run up the lake to see us. Great atmosphere and comraderie everywhere.

THE DATES

As mentioned, July 22 and 23rd are our performance dates, but Jason and I will be there for the week before and the week after.(We perform on the weekend between the two weeks.)

THE NUMBERS

Call for info..(231) 889-4222 Mention Bill Hayes of The Flying Toasters and they will get you room and dockage rates.
06-23-2011, 10:19 AM
magicalbill

Band performance dates, July 22nd/23rd.
Jason and I will have our 16's up July 17th.

Again, if anyone's interested, call Portage Point Inn for rates and dockage arrangements. The number is posted above.
Hope all have a great summer.
06-24-2011, 08:50 AM
roadtripse

We will be in state that weekend. If the Lake Michigan marine forecast plays out, we will make a day trip up there on the 23rd. I would love to hear that band, Bill!
06-25-2011, 10:10 AM
magicalbill

Hi Roadtrip..
Hope it comes together; Are you bringing a Donzi? I assume so, as you mentioned the Lake MI forecast co-operating. Be great to have you guys. We need to catch up anyway.
06-26-2011, 10:36 PM
roadtripse

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicalbill

Hi Roadtrip..
Hope it comes together; Are you bringing a Donzi? I assume so, as you mentioned the Lake MI forecast co-operating. Be great to have you guys. We need to catch up anyway.

Yep, we'll tow in. The weather was awesome on the Big Lake this weekend, so we are hoping for more of that.
06-27-2011, 12:03 AM
Tony

Don't know the details yet, but Randy and I will run into you sometime during your stay in Onekama. I've always wanted a close-up look at your 16's, and maybe even a spin for old times sake - since my first Donzi was a '67 Ski Sporter.
06-28-2011, 12:35 AM
magicalbill

Hey Tony..
Would like to meet you! A spin in the 16 is a given; I'd be happy to oblige. Let me know when your gonna make it there.
07-01-2011, 12:01 AM
Tony

Looks like Friday works for us. If weather cooperates we will boat down from Frankfort, with the trailer pre-planted to haul home later that evening - after some Toasters enjoyment. We're (Tony & Cherrie / Randy & Sheila) looking forward to it!

:beer:
07-01-2011, 09:07 AM
jl1962

ATTN - Tony, Todd, Bill, Magical, Jason:

One request - GET PICTURES!!!!

;)
07-01-2011, 09:28 AM
roadtripse

Saturday would be it for us....

Probably drag along Atomic Carl and Patti, too.

Can't do Friday, as Jill has already burnt up too many vacation days this summer as it is, new job and all.

We'll get some shots Jay!
07-03-2011, 11:58 AM
magicalbill

Fun stuff a-comin'.
Todd...Are you planning to stay over and go back to Motor City the next day? I hope so..A nite with our band and trailering the 200+ back to Detroit after partying seems a bit severe. There are some Mom-and-Pop Motels around there if you don't want to stay at the Inn..(They may be sold out at this point..)

Tony/Randy..Have a plan "B" if the Lake is roaring and you can't get down from Frankfort. Trailer down to Onekama or something and launch there...

Jay..Pictures??? Throw logic away and drive over to join in the fun!! (Well, I guess it's easy for me to say, but it would be great to have you and your 16 there too.)

I want you all to meet Dick Forwood, my boating mentor and the guy who gave me my 1st Donzi ride in 1973. He had a '67 Ski Sporter,(Same year as mine and Jay's.) Had the Eaton drive and all.. I never forgot it and now I'm able to give him rides and let him drive mine 37 years later. THAT'S a big deal. I'll bet Jay's, Mr. Forwoods and mine were all on the assembly line together in 1967. He still summers up there after all these years.Incredible guy..

This will be fun..Can't wait to get and give Donzi rides, perform for you all and FINALLY meet some of you. Todd and Jill bought my 18 Scorpion as some of you remember, so I know them...
07-03-2011, 04:14 PM
magicalbill

I keep forgetting..

I want to thank Mad Poodle, or whoever the administrator is that put this in the "Sticky" catagory.. Much appreciated.
07-05-2011, 10:04 AM
roadtripse

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicalbill

Fun stuff a-comin'.
Todd...Are you planning to stay over and go back to Motor City the next day? I hope so..A nite with our band and trailering the 200+ back to Detroit after partying seems a bit severe. There are some Mom-and-Pop Motels around there if you don't want to stay at the Inn..(They may be sold out at this point..)
...

Yes, we'll work out some logistics. Not a big fan of towing too far at night. May stay in the area or we might go back to Lake Station, where Carl and Patti have their place. All good.
07-20-2011, 09:51 AM
Just Say N2O

Weather permitting, I'm still planning on towing my 1967 Ski-Sporter up for the day, and then listening to some "Toasters."

I'm anxious to see Bill's and Jason's boats again, only this time with a whole new appreciation having spent 27 months redoing mine.

We have to have a performance conversation too. I'm perplexed about mine. Or lack there of.
07-22-2011, 01:00 PM
roadtripse

Bill or Bill, when does the music start Saturday night? Not sure where we are boating yet this weekend, but we my do a drive-by to see the band perform.
07-23-2011, 11:23 PM
Tony

Great time yesterday in Onekama!

Thanks Bill for the invite, and also for the entertainment.
I put a complete account over on .net, linked here:
http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthre...d=1#post608736

Just Say H2O Bill, you will have a fun time meeting Magical Bill, comparing restorations, and grooving to The Flying Toasters.

:speed:
08-02-2011, 09:21 PM
Tony

The Flying Toasters, MagicalBill and his son Jason's band, is all that and a bag of chips! They are very entertaining, with loads of talent on all instruments. They take turns fronting, with Jason mostly in charge, many of them sing well lead or backup, and several of them are very versatile...especially Jason, Bill, and the (highly recognized & accomplished) keyboardist. His C-Lo covers were way cool, by the way!

I also found it a neat touch when Jason introduced songs and states exactly what year they came out and who first did them. He is a true music historian and aficionado, no doubt a by-product of growing up with his Dad!

The band plays a wide variety of songs, and had total audience participation. The dance floor was packed from about the third song on. We had to leave after two straight hours of music. We kept waiting for them to take a "set break", but Bill kept telling the crowd that, "We're just getting started!"...and this was after two hours of playing with no break. Who knows what time they played to, but they sure are an energetic bunch!

Bill was busy setting up, but we got Jason into my 22 for a short cruise. He's owned an 18, and now a Ski Sporter, but had never been in a 22 so that was cool for him.

Thanks for the great entertainment, Bill and Jason, it was very cool to say at the gate, "We're with the band!"

Pics below show;

1. My wife Cherrie, Sheila, and Randy
2. Sheila and Randy with Onekama harbor entrance in background
3. Entering Portage Lake from Lake Michigan
4. My '96 22'
5. Portage Point Inn
6. Portage Point Inn, with band tent on left
7. MagicalBill's beautifully restored '67 Ski Sporter

http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachme...1&d=1311457312 http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachme...1&d=1311457312 http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachme...1&d=1311457312 http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachme...1&d=1311457312 http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachme...1&d=1311457312

http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachme...1&d=1311457336 http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachme...1&d=1311457336
08-10-2011, 10:02 PM
magicalbill

Hi Tony;
Thanks for the kind words. We owe you a commission check for the advertising!
I am truly sorry about the late reply. I was gone for 2 weeks to Portage and my computer was and still is down being repaired.
Glad you had fun, and I feel rotten I didn't get you a spin in my 16 and a ride in your 22. My drum tech who sets up my kit and accompanying electronics couldn't make Portage so it fell to me. Between that and getting ready for the show there was just no time. I wish you could've stayed over; We would've had time for boating Sat.

Anyway, I want to thank you again for saying all the nice stuff about the band and my 16. It was great meeting you and I certainly hope to cross paths again.

Jason got his red 16 back the next week and his upgrades worked well. He raved about your 22 and now we're thinking about one ourselves just from the short ride you gave him!
Enjoy the rest of the summer..