Lake Michigan Part 1

Lake Michigan

August 08 2012

We got up at 0500 to leave St Ignace and were on our way by 0530. It was just beginning to get light in the Eastern Sky.

Mackinac Bridge at 5am in the morning

The waters were relatively calm as we went under the Mackinac Bridge which spans the Straights of Mackinac, which is where Lake Huron meets Lake Michigan.

With the wind coming from the north we had mild beam seas and I started to feel a little yukky (probably nerves more than anything else) I laid down on the bench on the upper helm for a little rest while Gary kept an eye on Otto ( Our Autohelm)

An abandoned lighthouse at Rose Shoal
off Waugoshance Island

When we turned south towards Charlevoix, the going was great. With wind and waves on the stern Time and Time would fall into the trough of a wave and slow down to 7.3mph but at the pushing crest of the wave we were going along at 9.5mph. 

We were making good time and the lake was being very good to us.  We started talking and decided to push through, using the good conditions to our advantage and head to Frankfort, Michigan. Our 43 mile trip became a 120 mile trip. Even though the waves were pushing and we were averaging 8mph it still would be a long day …and it was.

We kept an eye on our charts and a look out for markers. The channel markers we are used to are about 4 feet high out of the water. Here, because we are so close to the steamer routes, the markers are huge light-houses.  Sometimes it feels like you are not getting any nearer to the marker, because you can see it from so far away.

North Mantiou Shoal Light House could be seen
from miles away..

We arrived in Frankfort around 7:30pm. We had been travelling for 14 hours!! We were pooped.

You might not think so but being on a boat can be tiring, especially when there is some motion involved, one is constantly bracing and tensing to control your body.

Light House at Betsie Point Frankfort

The cruise was a long one but it was good. We were very proud of the fact that we finished it and were never uncomfortable.

During our trip we were followed by a couple of monarch butterflies. It is a very surreal feeling being out in the middle of a lake and having a butterfly flying around your boat. We both felt a great emotional response to the little butterfly keeping us company.

The Huge sand dunes on the eastern Shore of Lake Michigan

As soon as we docked at the Municipal marina in Frankfort we met a couple fellow loopers, MV Shirley Ann which we met going through the locks in Healy Falls Ontario and MV Putzin with Gary and Ginny who completed their loop in 1997 and still proudly fly the burgee.

We also met Henning and Joanne and their son, Erik, off SV Flying Free. They only started their loop adventure two days ago. Henning is organising the mast transportation for all the sail boats from Chicago to Mobile.

SV Flying Free anchored in Frankfort 

We enjoyed dinner of leftovers warmed up, the cats reveled in the fact that they could be outside (it was a long day on the boat for them too) and after a shower Gary and I were in bed and again very happy to be in Frankfort , 1/3 of the way down lake Michigan on our way to Chicago.

August 09, 2012

Frankfort was found by Father Jacques Marquette, who was the same guy who founded St Ignace…cooll hey!!!

It is a tourist and fishing town with about 2000 year round residents.  The fishing boats come and go day and night. There is very good fishing around here. We actually saw fish jumping out of the water as we got closer to Frankfort. Our first thought was that it might be an Asian carp but it is more apt to be a King Salmon.

We went for a long walk on the beach, with its huge sand dunes. 

Sitting Pretty in Frankfort

The sand is so fine it makes a whispering noise when you walk on it. I picked some Pink Bounching Bet and White Sweet Clover, the fragrances of these wild flowers floating on the air is incredible!!

Sandy Beaches

We had a peaceful lovely day and enjoyed to scenery and nature and friendliness of the people here very much.

We stopped for lunch at Dingys Bar and Grill and had a huge salad each.

In the evening we visited with SV Flying Free and enjoyed home-made cookies baked on board by Joann. During the night the wind picked up as expected but we were nice and safe on the hook in this well protected harbour.

August 10, 2012

It was a very windy day. We were smart not to try and get near Lake Michigan. So we went exploring instead. A long bike ride later we found a farmer selling fresh veggies and fruit from a road side stand. He gave us a great deal on some corn and the sweetest peaches I have tasted in a long time.

Tugboat Frankfort Mi

Gary changed the filters on our water maker and because I had access to the internet, I checked the weather. Things still looked too windy to leave for at least two days.

            SV Flying Free came over for cocktails and snacks. At sundown MV The Unchained blew the conk.

August 11. 2012

We did some shopping at the farmers market that is held every Saturday in Frankfort. We bought jams and baked good that should (hopefully) last us a while.

We met MV The Unchained and they said they were heading out towards Manistee. They figured even though the wind was still pretty strong, it was coming straight out of the north and would therefore make for a good passage south. I thought that the winds were still too strong for us to try and make a go at it. After we had lunch I told Gary to radio The Unchained and ask them what the lake was like. Hey reported that the rollers were giving them a good push and that the wind wasn’t too bad, waves were 2-4ft.

We decided right there and then to beat the feet and within a half an hour we were on our way. The rollers were big but there were hitting us right on our stern. Gary kept the bow pointing south and we made Manistee in good time.

When entering the harbour we hit a wave that us up from 6knots and brought us in at 11.1knots. Imagine a 38foot surfboard, it is the weirdest feeling and not one that I particularly enjoy.

We pasted MV next to me on our up the Manistee river where we anchored for the night. Tomorrow we look forward to travelling and visiting with friends we haven’t seen in weeks.

Manistee Lightouse

August 12, 2012

We got rocked all night long by fishing boats coming and going. Eventually at 4:30am we go up and started to get ready for the next part of the journey. We were amazed at the amount of fishing boats that were also heading out of Manistee harbour. We got caught in a bit of a traffic jam as we started to head out. There must have been 100s of fishing boats and they would pass us on either side, criss cross in front of us, just doing what they feel like. Because it was still dark the fishing boats had there lights on and instead of the huge darkness of lake Michigan it looked more like a floating city with all the lights on the water.

Once again we had very good conditions for travelling and we decided to go on a little further to White Lake instead of Pentwater. The lake was a smooth as glass, Otto was doing a fine job steering the boat and I lay down for a nap. 2 Hours later I woke up when we were off Little Sable Point.

Little Sable

We anchored in White Lake in a nice sheltered spot as advised by Active Captain. Just after we had lunch I check the weather and saw that the next couple of days were not looking too good for travelling. I also got a text from MV next To Me saying that they were going to take advantage of the good weather and were going to Grand Haven.

 Gary and I looked at each other, we had been on the road since 5am and I had had a good nap but poor Gary was really looking forward to just relaxing.  Unfortunately the weather rules everything here, so we sadly pulled the anchor up and started out towards Grand Haven another 30+ miles. We stepped up the pace and did it in 3.5 hours. We were just securing our lines to the free wall in Grand Haven when MV Next to me pulled in behind us.

 It had been a long day but we were so happy to be here with our friends. Cathryn invited us for pizza and we were joined by Jim and Sharon from MV Blue Angel platinum loopers.

We took out our charts and Jim shared some more anchorages with us. Again I was just blown away by the helpfulness of people who are more than willing to share the information they have and do so with great pleasure. Loopers are a unique bunch of people. I have not met a single Looper who isn’t willing and happy to share information about anchorages, weather, where to eat and what to see. We are a lovely community of people from all walks of life and back grounds with the loop adventure that gives us a common ground.

The evening ended with a high note when we were treated to the spectacle of the world’s largest musical water fountain, right in front of our boat.

The Musical Water Fountain is held here every night at dark,
from our boat we have the best view.

August 13, 2012

Gary and I spent the day lollygagging. It was actually quite chilly and we just relaxed and enjoyed walking around Grand Haven. We walked past the US Coast guard station just as they were leaving the harbour on an exercise.

Official "Coast Guard City USA" that distinction belongs solely to Grand Haven. 

The evening we were treated to another musical water fountain show.

August 14, 2012

I have been having trouble getting internet on the boat so I got on my bicycle and drove to the library. Gary had something to pick up in Home Depot so we parted ways while I tried to update Facebook, check email and do some banking.

While I was checking my email I got a note from Ann saying that MV Wild Goose was in Grand Haven. It was wonderful to see our friends again. We went for a guided trolley tour around Grand Haven for the bargain price of $1.50. Afterwards we treated ourselves to what must have been the biggest banana boat (banana split) in the world!! I wish I got a picture….I wasn’t able to eat it all and will probably not have to have ice-cream for a year. Jim was asking me a question and I told him I was too full to think, he found it rather amusing.

We checked the weather and saw that the only good travel day was going to be Wednesday but we don’t feel like moving yet and we are way ahead of schedule so we decided to stay a little longer to enjoy the farmers market, free wall, our friends, the musical fountain every night and the great hospitality of Grand Haven. Ann just told me there is going to be a carnival tomorrow and they are going to be serving funnel cakes WHOO HOO!!

August 15,2012

How can it be so cold one day and so hot the next?? Welcome to Michigan, if you don’t like the weather just wait a minute…..

At the farmers market we stocked up on cheese, veggies and fruit. Gary decided that Time and Tide needed a bath and I cleaned on the inside. We are enjoying our days of rest and relaxation.

We will probably be in Grand Haven for a few more days as the weather is supposed to change and get nasty for a few days. Oh well, we are not complaining, we are most comfortable here.

(PS thank you to Ann and Jim for the use of their internet to post this blog)

………………………………..to be continued