Michigan City to CHICAGO!!!! WOOOO!

I will try to curb my enthusiasm.

Technically we're not off the lake yet. In fact, it reminds us of that fact since we're bouncing a bit in the Burnham marina. However, we no longer have to cross it. The only bit left to do is take Cat-n-Dogs up to the first lock that gets us on the Chicago River.

I'm very glad we didn't try to cross yesterday. It was cold and dreary, and the wind and water didn't look at all friendly, especially in the last half of the trip. Today, however, was fair. The wind was behind us, so we have a mostly following sea. I say mostly because -- it seems to be a law on this lake -- we also had waves on our beam. As we got closer to Chicago the waves grew from 1 to 2 feet. Square, too, so there was some meat to them. Our autopilot had a hard time maintaining a straight line.

Misty city skyline.

The weather also kept us from seeing the city as we approached. I'm sure on a clear day it's pretty awesome coming into Chicago. Actually, it was pretty awesome anyway.

About three weeks ago Russ contacted a canvas company here in Chicago. We're going to fully enclosed the fly deck. We decided this was necessary for the coming river run, believing this fall would be as nippy as the spring and summer had been. Enclosing the top deck means we can heat it if need be. Most folks who have enclosed deck say if the sun is out it acts like a greenhouse. I'm down with that.

Our marina is next to Soldier Field

We got into Chicago around noon. They came by at 2 pm to take measurements. The install will happen Friday. I love it when a plan comes together.

Chicago sunset

South Haven to Michigan City

Lots of swells. As we'd go down them, we'd go
faster. Which Nebo marked as red on the line.

New state, hello, Indiana.

New time zone: Central.

Not a great day. Not even a good day. Pretty much a bad day.

Waters hadn't fully settled from the churn of the night before. While the winds calmed, we had 2 - 3 foot swells, with the occasional 4, all the way here. The only reason that wasn't miserable was that the seas were following, coming from behind us and moving our way. Mostly. We got an occasional swell from the west, because as far as we can tell, Lake Michigan can't just have waves from one direction. Ever.

It was enough to make me go below and ride from the inside helm. Russ stayed on the fly bridge, pretty much unphased by the motion. Lots of bouncing, sliding, twisting, but no slamming.

Pretty flowers with LARGE petals. As big as your hand.
Sometime you'd expect in Hawai'i, not Michigan.

Plus the sun was out and the skies were blue. Around us it was lovely.

One more day until Chicago. We're only 40 miles now. But the water and weather is looking worse than today. 

This was Dorian a few days ago through the eyes of an app
called Windy. What's striking is how land affects the winds.
Windy is our go-to weather app, popular with loopers

This lake is just gonna make me fully hate it by the time I get off it.

An unexpected day in South Haven

Last night, the day we arrived.

There are a number of loopers here. Most of us got in yesterday, a couple first thing this morning. All of us planned on spending the night because of high winds predicted throughout the day and into the night. Most of us, however, were told we'd have to leave. Another 50 boats were expected to come in. Needless to say, angst and frustration and worry filled us. 

That is until the government issued a small craft advisory. We all ended up staying. Some boats did make it in. Nutsos, if you ask me. No where near 50.

As the day progressed the winds got worse. It's predicted to go down around 10 pm. As eight, as I type this, winds are still over 20 mph.

The video is tonight.

Muskegon to South Haven

At this point we've abandoned the idea of getting to Wisconsin. We're just heading south with the intention of crossing over the Chicago from Michigan City or St. Joseph. Assuming we ever have a weather day to do that.

Today was amazing. Beyond amazing. Not glass-like, mind you, but not far off. Originally we thought we'd get to Saugatuck, but the marina prices there were a bit outrageous, more expensive than Chicago. Besides, it was nice to chunk down another piece of this lake.

We started the day with a small task of calibrating our electronic compass. We noticed it was about 30 degrees or so off from the rest of our gadgets. To do that you have to put it in a calibrate mode and drive in circles. Our Nebo map amused me.

Boat Donuts! Wooooo!

That said, last night it looked like we'd have 3 or 4 good travel days ahead of us, which would get us to Chicago by the 8th of September. However, it looks like tomorrow is going to be another big, blustery day with winds to 20 mph. Waves are predicted to be 2 - 4 feet, and our experience with the Lake Michigan weather reporting is that their wave prediction is always under estimated.

So, fine, we'll stay here another night. It's looking like we won't get another good day for a while. 

Oddly, the closer we get to Chicago, the farther it seems to be.

I wish all the days on the lake were just like this.

I mean, seriously! Look at that water!

Ludington to Muskegon

Two days ago the trip was okay. Yesterday it wasn't great. Today, it was "Jane, stop this crazy thing!" I'm not liking the trend.

We were shooting for Grand River, which was only another 10 miles away, but the water was just dreadful. Right out the gate we hit 2 - 3 foot waves, which dwindled to 2, then grew back to 3. For the entire trip we bobbed, dipped, slammed, and tipped. Loopers call Lake Michigan Lake Washing-machine. Today was a prime example of why -- the water is frequently confused, so waves come at you from more than one angle. As a result, you just can make the ride smoother. You just have to get beat.

Weather is coming again bringing really high winds for the next two days, so we're going to stay here for that time. Fine by me. Been a long couple of days. Our buddy boat says we've covered 198 miles in the last three trips. Time for some down time.

Ultimately, it was too bad we left Ludington. Cute town, lots to do, and all very walkable from the boat. Would have been a fine place to spend the next couple of days. But we wanted to keep our momentum southward, and all the apps and info we could gather claimed it would be a fine trip. (Liars, all of them.) We are getting there, though.

The Badger -- heading back out for the evening

Last night some loopers gathered for docktails. While there the Badger came in. The Badger is an old (and currently the only remaining) coal powered ferry that goes between Ludington, MI and Manitowoc, WI. Watching it park was quite the event. It doesn't require tugs to help it in. It heads right into the port, drops its anchor, and uses that to flip itself against the loading dock. Crazy to watch, yet worked incredibly well.

I'm inspired to try it sometime.

Below is a glimpse of our day today:

Frankford to Ludington

South!!! Not that things are getting any warmer but that's why we're jamming through. 

As travel days go someone said it was mediocre. Not the best, but not the worst. Fact is we beat through 1 - 2 foot waves for the entire trip. Russ made some changes in how the boat holds weight, moving our big anchor and it's rode to the stern and getting it out of the bow. As a result we don't seem to slam near as hard when we take waves on the nose. But the south wind meant lots of bobbing, and taking it on the nose.

Some things are all set and setting. The sun was out, the sky was blue, and we were largely accompanied by many, many fishermen in tiny little boats. As a result, it just didn't seem awful. I suspect if it were gray skies, biting wind, and rainy with no one around I would have insisted we head to the inside helm.

As for the fishermen, apparently this is Chinook salmon season. We've seen them catch 'em, too. That plus Labor day equals many, many tiny boats on the water.

Bad weather is coming again. We're going to do another longish day tomorrow, then hunker down for a couple of cold and blustery days.

Petoskey to Frankfort

Tried to get to Leland, but they had no room. Labor Day, donchano. Thus the long trek here.

The red bits along the travel line indicate 10 knots or more. We traveled a bit faster today to make the time shorter. I did it for the dogs, you know, who aren't fond of very long days.

Not a great day, but not a bad day either. When we left the water wasn't choppy, exactly, but it wasn't swells either. Kind of a choppy-swell. Around 2 feet or less in the Little Traverse Bay, but down to less than 1 foot in a couple of hours. Our biggest grumble was the temp -- we left in 51 degree weather. It only ever got to about 64 on the water.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Lots of sand dunes on this part of the journey. The Sleeping Bear Dunes are a sight from the water. Probably worth investigating in the future.

Depth on the crossing, nearly 500 ft!

Besides the occasional fishing boat waking us, the trip was good. 

Now, however, I need to sleep. Which might be a challenge; there are predictions that we might see northern lights tonight.