We Made It!

We cruised across lake Michigan today, from Sturgeon Bay, WI, to Frankfort, MI. 60 miles, almost 7 hours, and 1 time zone. The weather conditions could not have been more ideal! It was incredibly beautiful all the way across! We had been dreading this crossing for months, but we were blessed with calm seas- waves less than 1 foot.That was an answer to prayer. We left Sturgeon Bay at 0-dark-30. The sunrise was spectacular.

Wait- what's that saying about "red sky in morning, sailor take warning?" Should we be worried?

The sunglasses are hiding the fact that Becky is sound asleep at the helm. No worries.

Love those sparkles!

Smooth sailing

We tied up at the Frankfort Municipal Marina and immediately met new friends and fellow Loopers Wayne and Rhonda on Help Me, Rhonda-  docked next to us. 

We went for a walk around town and the beach. So pretty.

Better than Florida- at least in the summer!

Guess these funny fish on a stick followed us across the Lake- or we followed them.

We ended the evening having dessert with Rhonda and Wayne, and touring each other's boats. More adventures tomorrow!

Crossing tomorrow??

To Do List:

• Fill fuel tanks- done
• Check weather forecast- done
• Pump out holding tank- done
• Check weather forecast- done
• Fill water tanks- done
• Check weather forecast- done
• Purchase groceries- done
• Check weather forecast- done
• Stow supplies securely- done
• Check weather forecast- done
• Make a marina reservation in Frankfort - done
• Check weather forecast - done
• Replace frayed lines- done
• Check weather forecast- done
• Plot course-done
• Check weather forecast- done-
• Say good-bye to Sturgeon Bay friends- done
• Check weather forecast
• Survival suits and EPIRBS ready - done

I think we are ready to cross Lake Michigan-- as long as the favorable weather forecast is still good in the morning! It will either be scary, unpleasant, or boring, depending on the wind and waves. We are hoping for boring!

We cruised across the Bay to buy diesel this afternoon. I backed the Mara Beel out of her slip, scared out of my mind. Mark pulled up to the fuel dock and then drove back into our slip in strong winds. Glad that our friends were on hand to catch our lines.

And finally- one last Sturgeon from Sturgeon Bay:

Projects and Provisions

Back in our home port of Sturgeon Bay for a (hopefully) brief stay. Mark and Mark fixed the latch on our cabin (bedroom) door. We didn't realize it wouldn't stay latched until the storm the other night when it banged back and forth with each passing wave. That was no bueno. I knew that our fresh water tanks are located to the aft of our cabin- but never thought much about it until the storm. The wind and waves caused 160 or slightly less gallons of water to slosh violently seemingly under our heads. That was no bueno either, and fortunately a rare occurrence. It was very noisy with all that banging, sloshing, and thunder. Nothing like a bit of excitement in the wee hours!

The Marks also took off the starboard door and re-tooled the rollers so the door opens and closes more smoothly.They then tackled a problem with the shower faucet in the aft head-- that one is still to be resolved.

Meanwhile I took the laundry to the laundromat, where I was amazed at the prices. I guess they are not unusual, but I had not been to a laundromat in a few decades- thankfully. Seems like only the prices have changed.

After lunch at the Neighborhood Pub, I re-stocked our pantry with trips to Marchant's Meat Market and EconoFoods.

Mark C. left for Muscatine in our truck around 4:30 PM. Now we are without a vehicle -except for our folding Dahon bikes- we are truly Boat People at last! In fact, Mark had to pedal to the hardware store while I was grocery shopping. It works!

Our plan is to cross Lake Michigan to Frankfort, MI, the first chance we get. We need waves of 1-3 feet max and either westerly or easterly winds in northern Lake Michigan. North or south winds would give us beam waves, which are uncomfortable. Our crossing distance will be about 60 miles, and we cruise at 9-10 mph. We will be prepared to leave early tomorrow morning if conditions are favorable. Keep your fingers crossed.

Back to Sturgeon

Wow- what a storm over night Tuesday, Aug. 6! Lightning, strong winds, and heavy rain hit us around 1 AM, and since we knew the storm would be coming during the night we chose an anchorage that was protected from the south.  Even so, the guys were up for almost 3 hours keeping an eye on things. A sailboat got way too close to us and had to pull up their anchor and re-position during the worst of the storm. It is normal to swing from side to side a bit while anchored, but Mara Beel did a 360! We were never in danger, but we were very glad to have another Mark, this one a seasoned captain with us to reassure us.We learned later that the storms were very bad around Green Bay and other areas- luckily we were on the northern edge of it.

After all that excitement we slept in a bit and had a leisurely breakfast - the guys cooked bacon and eggs on the grill. Nice! Great food and minimal clean-up.

We left Nicolet Bay around noon and I "drove" most of the way back- and even called for a bridge opening on the radio. (I hate talking on the radio, for no good reason.) I pulled into our slip (with guidance form Mark C.) while Mark M. handled the lines. Our confidence is continuing to grow.

After a dinner of Pasta with Prosciutto, Kalamata Olives and Feta Cheese we walked up the street to Martin Park and the weekly Harmony By the Bay Concert. This week the group was Blue Chicago Summit. We topped off the evening with ice cream from the Door County Candy Store. I can personally vouch for "Caramel Collision." Wish I had taken a picture!

Another Fine Day

We left Escanaba this morning and traveled 45 miles to Nicolet Bay in 5.2 hours. WI. I (Becky) drove the boat out of the slip, to the gas dock where we added 100 gallons of diesel and were pumped out, and then out of the harbor!! That is a huge achievement! 

We expected a bumpy ride, but it was actually pretty smooth sailing. Due to the haze and distance from shore, we didn't see land for several hours. We dropped anchor in Horseshoe Bay to put the dinghy into the water and play around for a bit. It was so much fun!!

Mark C. snorkeling in front of the Mara Beel

The 2 Marks- what a brain trust!

Since the wind is from the south we are spending the night in Nicolet Bay which is sheltered from the southerly winds.

Cocktails, supper, and sunset....

Escanaba

Today we traveled from Fayette to Escanaba, MI, a distance of about 23 miles and 3 hours. The ride was a little bumpy, but we are getting used to that. In case you are wondering, Escanaba was named by the Noc Indians and means "flat rock."

We are spending the night at the Municipal Marina. We took advantage of their free bicycles to bike to the grocery store. We hadn't gone far when we realized all of our tires were nearly flat! I was really struggling, and couldn't believe I was THAT out of shape! Luckily we passed a bike store that let us pump up our tires with their air machine.

We walked a few blocks to dinner at the Hereford and Hops Steakhouse and Brew Pub-- steaks and their beer from their butcher shop and microbrewery. 'Nuf said.

Jill, this is for you!

It's not a sturgeon, but it is a fish on a stick!

Pure Michigan

After a restful night in Horseshoe Bay (near Ephraim, WI) we headed mostly north around Washington Island. We idled in Washington Harbor while we ate lunch, then checked out picturesque Jackson Harbor.

We decided to tie up for the night at Fayette State Park in the UP of Michigan. It is the site of a ghost town that is now a park. It is a quiet and beautiful place, and has NO cell phone coverage unless one climbs to the top of the bluff.

Mara Beel

Cell phone signal on top of this bluff. Luckily there is a good trail to the top.

The 2 Marks

Another Looper boat pulled in next to us, and we met Rick and Debbie from Ontario on What's Next - good times!