Sept 29th Day 30

Yesterday was a great day, sun shinning and weather beautiful. We went to the Sears tower which is now the Willis Tower. It is 103 stories high. We went to the top and saw Chicago from the highest point in Chicago. They have a few glass extensions that you can go on and you are looking down 103 floors. The first step was ok but the mind said what are you doing. It is a real thrill. I could not pass up the opportunity when a skidish women stepped on the glass I said its cracking, she screamed and jumped off. After I told her I was kidding her friend was able to talk her into going out there again for a picture. Probably lucky she did not belt me with her pocket book. Next we walked over to the planetarium and took the tour. We headed back had a few cocktails and decided to call it a day. We were going to leave today but decided to stay one more day to get the boats ready for the river. There are 40 bridges we go under the first day so things have to be lowered as clearance is 17' and one bridge has to be raised (10' closed). I will also give the boat a good wash and dry. Lin & Donna are going shopping today and Dan and I will head to the liquor store.

Lin & Rich
DuSable Chicago

Sept 28th Day 79

Yesterday was a great day it was nice to wake up without a ripple on the lake. We are docked behind two break walls. We did the tourist thing yesterday walked about 6 miles or more on solid ground. We went to the Lincoln park zoo which was free and bigger and nicer than we thought. We spent about 4 hours there before heading to the magnificent mile which is Michigan Street, which sports all the top end stores. We just did window shopping. There are always people walking everywhere, one thing you do not do is step off the sidewalk before the cross light comes on, also you have to watch for bikes as they make better time than the cars. We had cocktails and dinner at Grand Lux Cafe really nice, one drink was more expensive than the meal. Today will be another tourist day. Tomorrow we plan on saying good bye to Lake Michigan and Chicago and head down the river.

Lin & Rich
enjoying Chicago

Sept 27th Day 78

WE MADE IT We crossed the D lake yesterday and are now sitting safe and sound
in Chicago. We left South Haven at 7:30 and headed out with Chicago as our destination.
Lake was not to bad but the swells kept us rocking for the 77 miles across. With 35 miles to go we could see the skyline of Chicago, at 9 mph it seemed like we would never get there. Each mile made the skyline bigger and bigger even with black clouds over head and swells under our hull we were thrilled to think we were finally putting Lake Michigan behind us. We are in DuSable Harbor marina near the Navy pier and downtown Chicago. We plan three nights here which will give us two days to do the tourist thing. We got here at 3pm Central time the marina has 400+ slips and we view the towering skyline. Last night we walked to Geno's suppose to be the home of the original Chicago deep dish pizza. It was very delicious and a six cut fed the 4 of us. Sure was nice sleeping on the boat without rocking, think I told you we had to spend two nights sleeping in the club hose at South Haven.
Again it sure feels GREAT to be off the lake.

Lin & Rich
Safe in DuSable Harbor Marina
Chicago

Sept 26th Day 77

What a beautiful morning. The sun is shinning and the wind is down even though it is
only 40 degrees we are all very happy. The lake still has 4 footers but today we plan
on getting the boats in order and moving our gear from the club house to the boats.
Today and tonight the winds and waves are SUPPOSED to calm down.
Tomorrow is supposed to have lite winds and 1 to 2 foot waves so we will make the run
from here to Chicago about 80 miles so 9 to 10 hours. The champagne is on ice for the Chicago dock party. Plans are a few days in the windy city and then river time to Sunny Florida.

Hope everything is well for all those following us.
The next time I write I hope it is from Chicago

Lin & Rich
loving the weather change
South Haven , Mich

Sept 25 Day 76

Morning came and we are all still in one piece and safe.
We slept in the club house last night as the boats were still rocking and rolling
Dan and I got up every few hours to check the boats, lines and fenders
The swell and wind in the harbor has not let up and does not look like it will for a few days
We have gone thru 3 dock lines due to chafing and breakage and Dan & Donna have gone thru 2.
Today's forecast on the lake is 4 - 7 footers 10 - 15 kt winds and tomorrow
calls for 3 - 5 footers with winds 15 to 25 kts'
Looks like our first safe day to cross unless things change will be Monday.
We are making the best of the situation and are planning some stops once
we get off this D lake. We will definitely spend a few days in Chicago (to celebrate a safe cross)
before heading down the river systems. We are thinking of taking a side trip on the
Cumberland River to Nashville. It is nice to think beyond this Lake.
I have grown MANY gray hairs is the last two weeks

Have a great weekend

Lin & Rich
Waved and winded in
South Haven Municipal Marina
South Haven, Mich

Sept 24th Day 75

We were up at 3am rocking and rolling. The wind plus the surge from the lake made it impossible to get sleep. We went out and redid lines and fenders. Went up to the club house which was nice but were worried about the boat so back we went. Again tried to calm the boats rolling down with out much luck. Then out came Dan and Donna to reset their boat. The 4 of us adjusted and readjusted fenders and lines. Dock party time, we ended up with 12 lines on and double fenders, Dan & Donna had almost as many lines. We are in the lounge enjoying a non rocking spot. We were hoping on crossing the 80 miles to Chicago but that may change as of right now Sunday does not look to good. Think about us while you are on solid ground.

Lin & Rich
South Haven marina

Sept 21st, 22nd, 23rd Days 72, 73, 74

Weather was bad on the 21st due to a heavy storm the night before. The winds were hollowing and pushing us up against the docks which were not the greatest. The wind and storm lasted about 2 hours and we rechecked fenders and lines after it cleared. The storm out of the west stirred up the lake so travel on the 21st was not an option. We walked the 2 miles into town and did the tourist thing. Got up on the 22nd with plans on reaching New Buffalo as we left the harbor the lake was still rough from the storm. there was no wind to say but the lake had not laid down from the storm. We traveled 20 miles and then decided to go into Saugatuck Harbor to drop anchor for awhile to see if the lake would lay down some. When we got to the end of the harbor there was no place to anchor so we headed back to he lake killing about an hour. Back on the lake it seemed a little calmer but not much. We ventured on as we could see Chicago getting closer. We called New Buffalo to find out if they were still open, no deal they close mid September. We all decided to take refuge at South Haven Municipal Marina, a state run facility.
Did the usually tourist thing and had dinner out. Today September 23 is a weather day predictions have the waves over 10 feet so it is a no go ONE MORE TIME. actually it looks like we may be here till Sunday the 26th. Then the weather looks good for the 80 mile run to Chicago, but that could change anytime.
The weather has changed and it has turned hot again one good thing. We are still enjoying the adventure even with the lake trying to discourage us, we almost have her beat.

Lin & Rich
Weathered in
South Haven Munical Marina
South Haven, Mich

Sept 20th Day 71

Today was a big travel day for us. We were up and off the hook at 7:30 and 9 + hours later we had put 80.3 miles under our hull. Not much to see except shore line and a lot of water. It felt real good to pull into the harbor knowing we are much closer to Chicago. We will be here tomorrow as the Lake will have 6 to 8 footers with high winds. There is a small town here so we will probably venture there tomorrow. If all goes well we could be in Chicago by Thursday, weather plays a big part on this lake and you don't dare mess with Mother Nature. Forgot to mention when we were in Leland days ago it is has a place called Fish Town, well they suggested we go to this restaurant and have a Chubby Mary. Well this drink came out with a dill pickle, two olives, and a smoked chub(fish) head and all staring at you. It was a strange looking drink but we all drank it and ate the fish. When in Fish town do as the Fishtownions do(i guess) needless to say one was enough. Well so far we have logged 1,598 miles in 71 days and are looking forward to the next 294 days.

Till next time
Lin & Rich
Cresent Shores Marina
Holland Mich

Sept 19th Day 70

Today was a GREAT travel day. We were up and underway by 7:45 a little foggy but we knew it would lift. Out of the harbor and headed south, even some of the fishing boats were taking advantage of the nice weather. It got a little rough in the early morning but in the afternoon it was the smoothest water we have seen in two weeks. We cruised down the coast about 4 miles off shore the farther we went the better it got. At 3:43 we pulled in to Pentwater harbor and picked out an anchorage in 30 feet of water. Dan and Donna dropped the hook and we rafted off of them, that way there was no need to put a dingy in for dinner and cocktails. We had a great ham, squash and salad dinner after making our plans for tomorrow. Looks like tomorrow will be a repeat of today so we will make a 6+ run to Holland Mich. Tuesday looks like another weather day so Holland looks like a good anchorage for bad weather. If our plans come together we could be off the Lake and in Chicago by Thursday. If you have any connections with the big guy up above say a prayer that our plan works. We are READY to get off the lake and away from so many weather hold ups.

Lin & Rich
on the hook
Pentwater Mich

Sept 17th & 18th Days 68 & 69

Morning yesterday looked like a good day to travel so we got ready and shoved off from Leland at 8am for a forty+ run to Frankfort Mich. the first 20 miles were not to bad had a few bays we had to pass that stirred up the water a little but not to bad. Then we changed course to South West (wind direction) and things started to pick up, the farther we went the rougher it got. Our last course change made the ride rougher, but we could see the harbor light house some 8 miles in the distance. Eight miles another hour no problem we thought wrong. Wind and waves picked up and had some 6 footers that but the bow pulpit in the water for some cleaning. We had to go past the harbor so we could enter with the waves at our stern instead of midships(on the side) which really rocks and rolls you. We both made it into the harbor and were glad to see calm water behind the breakwall. We were secure at the dock at 1:30 after a 41.5 mile run. Each run gets us closer to getting to Chicago and off the Lake. We celebrated our safe travel day with a few cocktails and a nice dinner out. This town has a REAL size supermarket which we will resupply at today. Right now it is raining and the wind and lake forecast for today will keep us here. Looks like tomorrow and Monday may be good travel days for us. Like our weather back home you wake up look outside and figure the weather out yourself.

Lin & Rich
Frankfort municipal marina
Frankfort Mich.

Sept 14th 15th 16th Days 65, 66, 67

On the 14th we were again weathered in At Mackinaw City, by now we know all the street names. You know you have been there too long when the girl in the hardware store knows you by name. Have run out of things to do on the boat can only check the oil and fluids so many times. The 15th looks like a good day so we plan along run. Got up early fueled and pumped out and were underway by 8:30. The first 20 miles was a little rough but we had seen worse. Once we were out of the straits of Mackinaw the lake laid down for us. It was the smoothest water we had seen in a month or so. We logged 80+ miles in 9 hours and pulled into the state marina at Leland Mich around 5:45 in a lite rain. It was great putting that many miles in which put us about 1/3 of the way down the lake yahoo! Today will be another weather day as gusts could be 40 mph but tomorrow could be better and a travel day for us. Frankfort is the next safe harbor on the east side and is about a 40 mile run (5 hours) if the weather is good we will go farther.
We are ready to get off the lake and hit the Windy city(Chicago). From what I am reading there are a lot of loopers on the lake waiting for that weather window. Hopefully when I blog again we will be at a different location.

Lin & Rich
Weathered in(what a surprise)
Leland state marina
Leland Mich

Sept 12th 13th Days 63 64

Yesterday was beautiful in the morning, Dan looked at the weather and the buoy in the middle of Lake Michigan said 1 to 1.5 footers so we decided it was a great day to do the 50 miles to Charlevoix to replenish and refuel. Untied and were underway by 7am as we headed to the Mackinaw(5 mile bridge) the wind and waves picked up. We decided to give it a few more miles before giving up. Well as usual the farther we went the worse it got all of a sudden I hear Dan who was in the lead on the radio say UNCLE so around we turned and took refuge in Mackinaw State Marina, really nice and there are only 4 boats in here. For now it looks like the weather will have us here till Wednesday before the Lake will settle. While here I got a call from Tom Joy checking in with us and our progress. He asked where we were and if we were going to be at the boat. When we said yes he said well we are in Charlevoix and got here last night figuring we would surprise you. Well as you know weather changed that. They drove up to Mackinaw to visit with us. It was a big surprise and we were surely glad to see our good friends. They had to chase us around the lake but they were determined to find us. We all had dinner on our boat and come to find out Tom and Elizabeth know Dan and Donna's neighbor in fact they are delivering a car to Oregon for them. Sure is a small world. They stayed overnight with us and left this morning on their way to visit with their son in Montana before going to Yellowstone and Oregon. It was great to see them but for the second time this year hard to leave them, this time it was them heading out. Tom and Elizabeth are always full of surprises. Today we will make plans for a couple of big days on the lake to beat the weather before it beats us.

Lin & Rich
Weathered in again
Mackinaw State Marina
Mackinaw City

Sept 10 th & 11th Days 61 & 62

Yesterday we did the tourist thing took a buggy ride around the island and took in all the sites. Really a nice place with some gorgeous houses. Went up to the Grand Hotel where Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour made a movie. Cost $10.00 to walk on the street and porch needless to say we did not do that. Visited Mackinac Fort that's where they shoot off the cannon that makes you jump and play taps to tell you when to go to bed. It was a great day and we had a lot of fun. We planned on taking off this morning but the radar showed a big storm coming so we held off for awhile. The longer we waited the storm did not materialize. By this time it was to late to do the 50 miles before dark. It did rain a little here but it could have been worse out farther like the radar indicated. Well anyway we made the best out of the day and went to the butterfly conservatory and museum it was very interesting. Lin is a big butterfly fan.
Donna and Dan are making lasagna tonight. Hopefully the weather will look better for tomorrow and we will be on our way again

Lin & Rich
Mackinac Island

Sept 9th Day 60

We made our crossing yesterday. Waited the weather out and left Drummond Island at 10am we were going to get out of there good or bad weather. Trip across was pretty calm till the last 5 miles but we could see Mackinac Island so it made the rough water calm. Mackinac Island is 8 miles around with only horse and buggy or bike transportation. We arrived here at 4:30 after traveling 47.3 miles. Walked around town nice to see something different after 5 days on Drummond, had cocktail and dinner. Tomorrow we will do some more tourist type things and take a buggy tour. Donna and Lin are happy as they both need hair cuts. The Mackinac Fort above us fires a cannon off every once in awhile, well the firs time it about put us into shock At around ten pm they played taps so we figured it was time to hit the rack. Boat ran great with the pounded out props.
One tidbit when I registered he asked my name and when I gave it to him he said I was already in the system I said not possible. There is another Richard Nitz who lives in Michigan and I thought all this time I was ONE OF A KIND.

Till Tomorrow

Lin & Rich
Safe at Mackinac Island

Sept 9/4 - 9/8 Days 55 thru 59

Finally got some Internet so I will bring you up to date. Some good some not so good. On the night of the 4th the wind pick up and was like gale force and kept shifting directions as we slept.
About 4 am on Sept 4th we awoke to a lite scrapping sound which got us both up and out of bed. When up we decided we had dragged anchor and were rubbing against something and figured it must be rocks. It was darker than dark and even with the lights on we could not see. Made a call to the Coast Guard to let them know our situation and they decided to dispatch a boat. Well two hours later after hearing some unbearable scrapping in the pitch dark and figuring we were in big trouble boat wise the sun came up and we could see we were only about 5 feet off shore. I kept checking the bilge for water and we were not taking on water which made us feel real good. The anchor had reset and if it had done so 5 feet sooner we would have been in deeper water. Now two hours had passed and the Guard still was not underway as we talked to them every 15 to 20 minutes. Figured we might as well start the genny and make coffee. I had called the local marina and let a message of our situation and that I would need a tow. The wind was still in gale force mode and when it shifted we would hit on the rocks then swing off all we could do was pray and wait for someone to get us off because the winds sure were not letting up. About 7:15 the Yacht Club called and said they got my message and said they were getting a crew ready to get underway. We felt relief even though we knew we could walk to the Island. We put all our paper work, cards, grand children's pictures pack and waited. There came our tow boat and the Coast Guard, now the challenge was to get the boat away from the rocks and pick up the anchor in the wind. All worked out well and we were under tow to Drummond Island. Seems we always have problems on a Holiday so could not be lifted till Tuesday.
9/5 9/6 Just sat in the marina waiting for lift out, in the meantime Donna and Dan would dinghy over for cocktails and a visit. One day Dan and I hooked up an alarm in the main berth to go off if the anchor started to drag, I must have tested it a FEW times while we wait. Dan who seems to hold his breath forever dove down to check the damage his report was very little damage and could be fixed on site. We were all thrilled by that as there would not be a major delay.
9/7 pulled out prop repaired and back in the water. Now all we are waiting for is for Mother Nature to give us a window to get the 45 miles to Mckinac Island.
9/8 weather too bad to leave high winds and waves hopefully it will lay down by tomorrow. Plans are to leave at 7am if the weather permits and hopefully they will. It has been in the 40's and 50's at night feels like late fall back home, gotta get south.

Lin & Rich
Weathered in again
Drummond Island

Sept 3 Day 54

Great night calmed down and did not pick up much wind till this morning. Now it is dark, windy and raining. We will probably be weathered in thru the weekend from the sounds of the forecast.
The Straits of Mackinac where we are heading next have high wind warnings out and it is about a 50 mile run for us. Lake Michigan is reporting 9 to 16 foot waves so I imagine there will not be much boat traffic over the Holiday for sure it won't be us. Once on Lake Michigan it is about 300 miles to Chicago and they say there are safe harbors every 20 miles or so. We both decided if we get a nice weather window some day we will make a long run of it and get as far as we can.
Well just hanging out getting a few things done while we wait.

Hope you all have a great holiday weekend and fair weather.

Lin & Rich
weathered in at Harbor Island
Potagannissing Bay

Sept 2 Day 53

We decided last night to get up early and put some miles on today as the weather forcast for the next few days does not look good. We were up and under way by 7am. The weather looked real good and the forecast for the next few days did not, so after a few hours out there we decided to head to Drummond Island in the US of A. At 12:45 after logging 49.3 miles we entered US waters, so down came the Canadian flag. It was a good feeling to look at the land and know it was the US. We spent 46 days in Canada and traveled 1,072 miles thru many canals and locks. We saw many places and beautiful landscape in that time but the site of the US land was a highlight. Tonight we will celebrate being back in US waters with a venison hot dog roast, with beans and salad with Dan and Donna. The weather from Noah for Lake Michigan tomorrow calls for 9 to 12 foot waves with 45 mile winds so it looks like we will be tucked in here for awhile. We have a great anchorage which should keep us out of trouble. Well here comes the storm so I will try and get this out while I can

Lin & Rich
At anchor in the USA

Sept 1 Day 52

We came up the North Channel on a hazy morning and by noon time it started to get real stormy looking.
We battened everything down and closed all the hatches and here it came. Could hardly see in front of you, but we had Dan to follow when we could see him. All of a sudden I heard Dan over the radio say come to a dead stop I hit something. I pulled her in neutral and looked at the depth finder and we were in 80 feet of water. Dan came over the radio and said it was a log 12' by 6" round he hit. By this time the storm was over had it stopped a few minutes earlier he would have seen it. Dans boat seemed ok no vibrations so we continued on. The sun came out but the wind picked up a little to roughin the ride, but nothing like the Georgian Bay.
We reached the Bear Drop Harbour at 1:10 traveling 32 miles, to date we have put 1,212 miles under the hull. This is another great anchorage but with the wind we are spinning a little but it is suppose to let up. Dan went in the water with fins and mask to check for damage, looks like the log hit sideways on the front of the hull and only took some bottom paint off. Dan and Donna came over for cocktails as we planned tomorrows adventure. Looks like another 30 or so miles to an anchorage or farther if the weather is good. We went to their boat and Dan made pizza really good. Another great day behind us and one day closer to the US of A and better prices, need a grocery store soon.

Lin & Rich
Anchored
Bear Drop Harbour

Aug 30th 31st Days 50, 51

Well I gave you a few days off without no blogs, actually we had no Internet service up here in the wilds of Canada. Since we made it across the bay it has been really nice with some great anchorages. On the 30th we passed thru Little Current and anchored outside of town. We took the dingy in and had fish and chips at Mr Perch a must stop in Little Current, it is cooked and served out of a bus on an old wharf it was a great meal. Walked around town which consisted of a small store, post office in the town building and a few small marinas. Had to stop at the liquor store to restock, can't wait to get back to the US where the prices are a lot better. The 31st we went into Mudge Bay to see the Bridal Veil Falls in Kagawong it is about 1/2 mile walk up a nice kept path to the falls. You could walk behind the falls which was nice but we really expected a little more out of the falls. Up a million stairs and across the road there was a do not miss lunch spot. This time it was served out of a camper which had some picnic tables around on the grass.
Again looks are deceiving the food was great fish was real fresh and the burgers were hand made.
Got back to the boats and headed to an anchorage behind Clapperton Island really nice on us two and one sail boat. Middle of the night had a quick and hard burst of rain, by the time everything got closed it stopped.

Lin & Rich
heading up the North Channel
to Whaleback Channel and
anchorage in the Bear Drop Bay