We anchored just inside the lake entrance in what was a very nice sheltered spot except it was the weekend and we had lots of fishing boats, jet skis, and boats dragging screaming kids on inflatable rafts going as fast as they could in circles all around us.
We did get off the boat on the dinghy and found a public access spot where we could tour the old lighthouse. Nicely restored building, last 'manned' by a woman lightkeeper.
It had lots of historical artifacts and even had this life ring from the infamous Edmund Fitzgerald which sank almost 40 years ago in Lake Superior with the loss of the entire crew of 29 men.
Back to the boat and ready to go the next morning. Oops, we woke up to a partially deflated dinghy. The davit lift line (covered wire rope) had a splinter of wire that was exposed where the chafing wrap had worn through and that little splinter of metal had see-sawed all night and cut into the bow tube. That's not good! So the dinghy (our "car") is out of commission.
Made it to Grand Haven Municipal Marina and headed immediately to West Marine for glue to patch the dinghy. Busy spot with families enjoying the riverfront parks and lots of boats touring up and down the harbor.
Had plans to leave early in the morning, forecast was good, only to wake to radar that was showing a lot of rain and wind coming toward us. We delayed until the radar showed clearing and left with 3 other boats; not exactly smooth! We decided it was too rough for us and turned back. The others continued on and made it to St. Joseph. Life is too short to spend 6 hours bouncing around.
"Ariel" (Robert and Corrine) showed up at the marina later that afternoon; they complained about a rough ride down from Pentwater. The rough water outside rolled down the entrance and caused a rough night at the marina. Enough of that! Got on our bikes in the morning and found several marinas inland and moved that morning to Spring Lake for two nights. Much better and cheaper. Joined later by "Ariel". The weather deteriorated even further that day and we biked out to see the opening of the inlet.
Lots of wind surfers enjoying the large waves.
Waves coming right over the breakwater walls - got to jump out of the water!
This is looking across the opening into the harbor and the other breakwater wall is almost completely covered with the waves. Good day to stay at home and not travel.
August 21st the weather cooperated and we headed for Saugatuck in reasonable waves; we still want to explore some of these towns on the lake. "Ariel" continued on to St. Joe. - they just want to "get off this lake!"
Anchored off the marina in Saugatuck and were later joined by "First Snow". Saugatuck is a typical tourist spot, lots of cute shops, bars and restaurants, ice cream 'shoppes' and the requisite fudge stores.
It does have an interesting history though. The original settlement, called Singapore, was further out towards the lake and was quite a boom town in the 1870's while it's poor cousin was called the "Flats" - where Saugatuck is located now. When the lumber boom ended, the town was abandoned and eventually was covered over by the shifting sands of Lake Michigan. Some local entrepreneur should start selling "Singapore, MI" hats and t-shirts - I couldn't find one!
Left the next morning and went to the South Haven municipal marina where we were joined by "It's About Time", "Time Out" and "See to Sea". Great to see Werner and Kathy again - last time we saw them was weeks ago in Little Current in the North Channel, Canada.The weather forecast is to be lousy again for several days so we decided to rent a car and drive to Minneapolis, MN, to visit our son Jeremy and family. Coincidentally, other son Josh and family were visiting that weekend so we really had to take advantage of the opportunity.
Left Saturday afternoon and made it to Rockford, Illinois. We had to keep stopping at the state welcome centers to get maps - we only had the iPad for directions. Made it to Minneapolis (actually Edina) about noon on the 23rd, Sunday. Had a great visit with Jeremy, Marisa and their two boys, Connor and Crosby and with Josh, Darcy and Ian.
Lots of fun playing outside and driving the truck!
And then it was time for dinner - the boys!
Josh and family left early Monday morning to fly back to Florida, we kept Jeremy's two boys home from school that day and spent the whole day with them, going to the park, seeing Connor's new school (Kindergarten) and fun times at MacDonald's - don't tell the parents!
Next day we hung around the house and did chores for Jeremy and Marisa on their new spiffy house!
Left early Wednesday for a long drive (8 1/2 hours through five states) back to South Haven - whew!
August 27th we escaped South Haven with Werner and Kathy and had a long day to New Buffalo. Got slips at the marina, did a quick tour of the town (another cutsie tourist spot). A co-worker of mine, Mike Salesberry, from the AARP SCSEP program, lives quite close by (St. Joseph) so he and his wife (Audrey) drove down and took us out to an elaborate buffet dinner at the Four Winds Casino. Lots of stories about the "good old days" - we are both retired now.
My cousin Vicki and husband Bob have a summer house near New Buffalo and despite lots of emails and plans we missed them here. Very frustrating.
Left early the next morning for the very large marina at Hammond, IL, just south of the entrance to the Calumet River. A bit rough at first but it settled down and we got to the marina about noon. I had been emailing Vicki of our plans and just by coincidence she happened to be in Hammond right then! So she and Bob came for a visit on the boat - it was just great to see them!
The Calumet River is one of two options to start down the Illinois River south to home, the other is called the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal which goes right through the heart of Chicago. This canal connects Chicago with the inland rivers permitting ship traffic to go south via this system, and to take all of Chicago's sanitary waste south. Put another way, Chicago's waste does not pollute Lake Michigan, it flows south contributing to pollution on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers ending up in the Gulf of Mexico. Hey, that's where we live! It obviously works because Lake Michigan is crystal clear and this river is filthy brown and stinks!
After much hemming and hawing we and "It's About Time" decided to leave the next afternoon (about 1:30) and head down the river. Knot Home and Reflection decided to wait until the next day.
We are finally on our way south to Mobile, AL on the Gulf of Mexico - 1,200 miles or so! As Valerie keeps saying, "Good-bye Lake Michigan. Next time we'll see you by car!"
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