July 2001 Sailing Vacation

Our 2001 sailing vacation started from Racine on June 30 at 6:15 a.m. Our destination was Northbound, about 15 miles south of Racine. However, at 9:15 a.m., our shifter broke. Due to no wind and flat seas, we were able to get the motor in gear, take apart the pedestal, and determine that the part that holds the cable was permanently broken. Since Waukegan and Larson Marine was reachable, we decided to continue on and do repairs at the respected Larson Marine.

After 6 days, the shifter was replaced with a single handle unit (great!) and new throttle and shift cables. Joanne and I did the work after ordering parts and having them shipped overnight.

We enjoyed a patriotic concert at the lake front and probably the best fireworks we have ever seen on the fourth. We also enjoyed Corrie's visit and delightful lunch. Met John and DeeAnn.

We planned on going south to Chicago and Burnham harbor, but after asking around and not hearing good things about Chicago harbors and Hammond Harbor, we decided to cancel those reservations and go with the wind and cross the lake eastward.

We left at 6:15 a.m. for a 70 mile lake crossing to South Haven averaging over 7 knots with a southeast wind on the stern quarter. A great ride! Only problem was reversed wires on AutoPilot that turned us back to Waukegan every time it was engaged. Quickly figured out problem - hooked 'em up backwards when redoing pedestal wiring for shifter repair.

July 7 in South Haven was one of only two rainy days in July that we encountered. South Haven is quaint, full of shops and has great food everywhere. Paddle wheel steamer restaurant, wedding on a boat, draw bridge and very New Englandish. Strongly recommend.

We left South Haven July 8 for Saugatuck in dense fog. Thanks to radar and GPS the trip was uneventful.

Saugatuck is another Door County but with more shops and much more beach front and many more varied shops. It is a shallow harbor. The depth for 2 miles to Tower Marina is 4.5' or less. We made it but was surely in doubt according to everyone that saw us arriving. Found three oil paintings for condo and had them shipped back. Had lunch and met couple from the Netherlands that were going to Chicago for a Gideon Society meeting. Emailed them pictures. Toured 1900 steamer Kewaytin. Excellent and worth the $20. Saugatuck is well worth the visit.

July 10 we leave for Holland, with flat seas and no wind since we arrived in Michigan. Holland is on Lake Macatawa and we stayed at Eldean Shipyard Marina. It has excellent restaurant, pool, hot tub, the cleanest showers/rest rooms on the lake and a nice ships store. The best marina on the lake!!! Since Holland itself is five miles away, we did not visit the city.

July 11 and more flat seas takes us to Grand Haven. Another river marina, as most of them are on the Michigan side. On the riverfront stage was the Ron Warnaar Big Band and some of the best swing dancers we have ever seen in one place. There were at least 500 people there, young and old. Following the big band was the light, water and music show. Incredible and free, it is a computer controlled show right across the river from our slip. One of the neatest things on the lake.

The 12th we left in the fog for Muskegon, a lake surrounded with industry with really crappy docks. We got no help getting in the slip and couldn't wait to leave.

The 13th we arrived at White Lake, a wilderness lake. Crosswinds Marina is 5 miles in and very nice. There are beautiful condos and the worlds largest weather vane. Fortunately I did not get a picture. It was kind of corny.

The 14th we arrived in Pentwater, another place we especially like. We met Rob and Ione from Ludington, and Tom and Judy from Grand Haven on their Hunter 34, just like ours except it was holed in Hurricane Andrew in '92 (Florida) and had extensive repairs. Very extensive. They purchased it from a salvage dealer that repaired it. The owner of the old time marine store passed away, so one of our favorite places was closed until they figured out if the store would open again. We hope it does. We enjoyed an Andean band at the art fair and jazz at the outdoor restaurant at dinner with Rob and Ione. One of the best sunsets!

We travel past two of the most famous lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Big Sable and Little Sable.

The 16th took us to Ludington, one of the Badger ferry ports. The other is Manitowoc. The 17th it rained briefly. Since it was now getting really hot, that was a relief.

We left for Arcadia under little wind and flat seas. Arcadia is small, isolated, and is not visited by many boaters - we like that! However, the grocery store is out of business and so is the only bar and restaurant. Caught a bunch of rock bass and threw back in, and noted on the GPS that we are 154 miles from Racine.

On the 20th we headed for Manistee, another favorite. Manistee is on a narrow river and the town dock is 5 miles upriver. We just got into the slip and a huge freighter came upriver. It was almost close enough to touch. Could converse with the crew is normal voices - they were that close. There is a 2 mile boardwalk out to the pier head starting in town that is a real gem. Another concert downtown, this time rock & roll.

The 21st we went back to Ludington and stayed at the Ludington Yacht Club. We were guests of Rob and Ione for their pig roast and had a great time. Enjoyed meeting Dave and Nancy from Kalamazoo. The next day we attended Sunday service at the band shell on the Ludington harbor front. For music there was a Christian big band doing the music. BBop (Big Band of Praise). What a treat and service. I never heard the old standard hymns played like that! Must have been 3-400 attending. After service band cut loose with 40's tunes and everyone had a good time.

Because of heat we went to movie - Jurassic II. Don't bother. At least it was cool in the theater.

We left for Sheboygan 5:10 am on the 24th to waves on our bow. At 7:30 am the waves flattened and we had a 6.4 knot average motoring and arrived in Sheboygan at 2:30. Met Point YC members Julie & Bob. They were waiting to head north as soon as the wind cooperated. Also met Frank & Sue (Foolish Pleasure) who were heading south. Wind was kind of wild so we were not in a hurry to leave.

The 26th we left Sheboygan for Port Washington under small craft warnings but since wind was from north, we had our first sail since crossing way back on the seventh. We really ripped with the jib and whisker pole - 8-10 knots. 4.5 hours. Met Steve and Chris, also travelling south aboard Attitude Adjustment.

On the 27th in Port Washington, we were going to have cocktails and dinner aboard Attitude Adj, but decided, after the seas calmed down, to head for Racine at 6:00 p.m. We had a great twilight and night sail, incredible sunset, night fireworks in Milwaukee and arrived in Racine at midnight. Ken and Donna were up and helped us get Talisman docked and tied up. To bed at 2 am. Radar and GPS is a big help at night.

The trip covered 485 miles and $45 diesel fuel. Not bad for only 3 days sailing in the month. Slip cost in Michigan is controlled by the state, so our nightly fee was $27. In Wisconsin, the marinas are all private, so the cost is $35-45. The only place we encountered a shortage of slips was at Port Washington. We got the last slip. It turns out that all their slips are rented for the season.\

Back home!!!!!