Boating down Lake Michigan - Leaving Muskegon Harbour

Being boaters for ages, we know that the weather is a critical factor in how far or fast we travel. Well we are finding it unusually challenging as we make our way down to Chicago.  We have been delayed five times. But, it's better to wait for a good day then to risk danger. Even some Canadian friends are warning us of the hazards of venturing out on the Great Lakes. Of course hurricane Harvey or Irma is playing a role in all this.

It's not a bad thing, as it makes us explore more.  We take walks, ride our bikes
around. We went out for a dinghy ride on an inland lake. We visit museums, do a bit of shopping, eat out and make friends along the way.

1st bad meal


1st docktail



We visited a light station in Ludington and it was fairly calm.  Here's a picture taken years ago on a not so calm day.  What a contrast!  I wouldn't recommend the half-mile walk on the jetty to get to the light station on a nasty day.

Calm Water! Solid Structure!

Rough Water!

We went to the Maritime Museum in Ludington.  It is an old Coast Guard Station.  We met a retired Coast Guard who used to be stationed there 40 years ago.  He met his wife while stationed there.  He had some interesting stories to tell.

Ludington is popular for the daily Badger Car Ferry.  If you look on the map it's part of Hwy 10 from Bay City to Minneapolis. It's quite the show when the ferry arrives at 6.30 twice a day.  People come and watch at the pier and the beautiful park.  We watched it one night.

Ferry Arrival by the Light Station

Ferry Onlookers.. Can you see Sylvie?

Early morning departure.  This was taken from our boat.

We are finding the hospitality of Loopers fabulous!  We were greeted by a fellow Looper who lives in Ludington.  Becky brought us a welcome kit that included munchies and a restaurant guide in which she circled her favorite restaurants and favorite food to order.









For Labor Day we cruised to Muskegon.  The entrance to Muskegon Lake was so busy as we arrived on a Sunday afternoon.  So many sailboats out enjoying the wind!  We stayed in a private marina instead of the city run marina because of it's location.  What a difference, or it's the long weekend. The boaters were so friendly.  We met fellow loopers who have rented a car and offered to drive us around.

Here we are to the USS Silversides Submarine Museum.  What an experience to walk thru a real submarine.. decommissioned of course.
This is how to wait out the storm.  No problem on this vessel.





Here's our friend Luc. 
His first ride on a city bus.  Lot's of first coming up for him. We took a city bus to get a cheap tour of the city since they don't have tours.  Stopped in town for lunch at the Boar's Belly.  Interesting menu. Food was delicious.  Too bad all the museums were closed.  Another reason to return.

This is Luc and Sylvie entering the South Haven Harbor. The swells from the lake are bringing the water over the jetty and rocking us in.

Here's the map of our journey so far.

      We are all in the same boat in a stormy sea, and 
we owe each other a terrible loyalty.