Port Washington, WI

Christy and family came over for lunch last Sunday, we had a nice visit before they headed back to Chicago.  After they left we got on the bikes and peddled to town to hit some shops and then the grocery store to stock up a bit.  Found out there are lots of hills in Sturgeon Bay.

                                                                                                                          Waiting for one of those darn'd boaters.

Sturgeon Bay Sunrise

Morning light leaving Manitowoc

Port Washington entrance

Left Sturgeon Bay Monday morning and stopped at Manitowoc for the evening.  It was a nice comfortable SLOW ride but we got great mileage.  Still getting used to trawler speeds.  As we were approaching Sheboygan we saw Salt and Sand ahead of us by about a mile.  They were one of the Loopers who were in Frankfort with us.  It was nice meeting up with Rich and Carol again.

Had planned to leave early Wednesday morning but the winds have  picked up and it looks like we will be a day late in getting to Chicago.   At least all the laundry is done, the refrigerator has been defrosted and there is a car lined up for a grocery run this afternoon.
 

John & Mary

Sturgeon Bay, WI

Friday,

We left Frankfort at 4:40 am, with another Looper boat, Oddysea who was in the slip across from us.  We were shooting for a 4:30 departure, so not too bad.  There was a fishing tournament going on and  quite a bit of  traffic leaving the harbor.  After we were on the lake and out a few miles we had it all to ourselves.  We started out following Oddysea using “Christmas” navigation, we tweaked our course if we saw either a red or green light. The lake started out semi smooth, gentle one footers but built as the day went on to 2 – 3 foot rollers, which we were taking on full beam,  Once it was light we moved downstairs for a more comfortable ride.  

Passport crossing Lake Michigan

Oddysea crossing her wake

We arrived at Sturgeon bay without incident and took some pictures of Oddysea as she finished the Loop and crossed her wake entering the canal.  Congratulations Ross and Nancy!  We tied up at Skipper Buds, cleaned up the boat, had a much needed shower and took a short nap before Christy, Eric and the grand kids arrived on the way up to their new cottage in Sturgeon Bay.  We hung out for a while on the boat and the kids had fun at the climbing park on the marina grounds. 

We spent the night at the cottage and watched the kids while Christy and Eric went out for an anniversary dinner.  Because they had so much stuff in their car they had to go unload and come back to pick us up.  That worked out as we stopped at the grocery store and stocked up a bit.  This will be the last planned night sleeping on land until we head out to Park City for our Holiday visit in December.

Saturday,
After a great pancake breakfast at Christy and Eric's cottage we came down to the boat and took a trip through the canal into Sturgeon Bay and then into Green Bay and anchored in Riely's Bay in front of their cottage for lunch.  

Will playing in front of the cottage.

Jack riding his cottage bike.

This is the Schwalb cottage from the water.  We anchored for the first time on the Loop and had a nice lunch.

We made it under the first draw bridge but had to wait for the second one to open.

Jack and Will's favorite boat (except for Passport), an old Chicago Fire Boat now doing tours.

Christy and Kate  enjoying the sun.

Sherwood Point Lighthouse.

The crew heading back to port.

Then back to the marina for swimming, hot tub and a pizza party.  A very nice day on the water with family.  Christy and family will be back for lunch Sunday before heading back to Chicago.  We plan on leaving early Monday morning in order to be in Chicago by Thursday.

John and Mary

Frankfort, MI

Sunday,

Spent a relaxing  day in Charlevoix with sun one minute and rain and clouds the next.  Took a bike ride to Irish Boat shop looking for a generator filter and saw the boat we had under contract but decided against at sea trial last year, small world.  Met a nice Canadian couple, Chris and Lorraine in the slip next to us, Lorraine made great margaritas.  They have a place in Florida near where we will be spending a month next winter, we plan on giving them a call when we are in the area.  Met three other Loopers and exchanged boat cards, hope to meet up along the way south.

Charlevoix wildlife enjoy dinner.

Monday,

Left Charlevoix and caught the 7am bridge with quite a few boats, had 0 − 1 footers when we left. 

Our next boat?

OMG look what's right behind us.

We felt like the pied piper, leading the pack.

Smooth water, or so we thought.

Based on the forecast we had decided to pass on Leland having been there many times before and push on to Frankfort so we would be in a better position to cross over to Sturgeon Bay on the next good weather day.  Even as we passed Leland the marine broadcast was still calling for only 2 − 3 footers.  The winds were supposed to be out of the northwest  and not change to the southwest until Tuesday.  Bucked head seas the whole way.  The waves got so bad after lunch that we ended up moving to the lower helm for the last third of the way.  Doing that was a challenge as we had left the windshield sun screen on and it need to be removed so we could use the wipers.  The waves had built up to 4 −5 ' by the time we made it to Frankfort.  Passing the Point Betsie Light they waves were especially confused.

Point Betsie Light.

Calm water at last.   Met more Loopers in the harbor and were invited to a Happy Hour on the Oddysea which was right across from us.  They will be completing the Loop when they get to Sturgeon Bay, which is also our next port.  Had a nice time visiting the other Loopers who were at various stages in their Loop.  It is true that you will meet many Loopers along the way.


Weather looks as if we will be here for a few days, hope to make it to Sturgeon Bay no later than Friday to meet Christy, Eric and the grand kids.

In the mean time we plan to relax and enjoy the calm water in the harbor.

John & Mary

Charlevoix, MI

Our second day on Beaver Island was just as windy as the first, it started out calm but picked up quickly.   Went for another bike ride, stopped at the maritime museum and walked to town for ice cream.

Saturday,

Left for Charlevoix at 7am, calm in the harbor and only 1-2 footers all the way.   Other than the generator shutting down when we tried to make some toast the trip was uneventful.  We had called earlier and was put on a waiting list for a slip, just as we approached the pier head they called and had a slip for us.  Hal, the harbor master and 3 dock hands greeted us at our slip.  Hal was very friendly and accommodating and even gave us a Looper discount on the slip.

Leaving Beaver Island.

Passing a large yacht and the ferry boat following us in.

Once we got settled John looked at the generator, first thought that it was something to do with the recent new fuel filters.  It turned out to be a disintegrated raw water impeller.   due to the generator location and it's sound shield it took a while to install a new impeller and get things cleaned up.

We were able to take a nice long dinghy ride around Round Lake and into Lake Charlevoix before heading to the grocery store for some supplies for dinner.

Mary enjoyed all the flowers.

John enjoyed the old boats in the  boat houses. 

After dinner went for a walk along the docks and spotted several Looper Boats.  Enjoyed a nice water and light show at the fountain.

Sunday am woke up to cloudy skies and light rain, so we decided to do laundry.  Still adjusting to our new way of life and accommodations for the next year.  So far we seem to be doing well.

John & Mary

Beaver Island, MI

We have begun our adventure!  We left Mackinaw City Marina around seven this morning, had to stop for fuel and then we were off to Beaver Island.  The trip wasn't too bad, 2 − 3 footers, our preference would have been calm seas but it was time to get going.

John finally gets to unfurl the burgee

Ready to go at last

View of the Mackinaw as we were filling up.

Passed a couple of light houses along the way.

 Old Waugoshance Point

Grays Reef Light

Very windy in the harbor at Beaver Island, a bit of a challenge docking.   Went for a long bike ride on the bike trail and cooled off with a dip in the lake when we got back.  The water was 72˚, quite nice.

Found a spare engine, should you need it.

Plan to spend another day here and weather permitting will head to Charlevoix on Saturday.

John & Mary

Mackinaw City

We left our home in Rolling Meadows last Wednesday with only one trip back planned over the holidays. I will be stopping by when Mary has a hair appointment the day after Labor Day.  We have been working on boat projects and are nearly ready for our departure.  We have all our clothes stowed on board, we have been refining what will be stored where, (all we have to do is remember where we have put things), the topsides have been waxed, switches connected at each helm to control the auto pilot, lower aft deck speakers installed, flag pole varnished, etc.

The Cat service man was out on Friday and went through the engine, adjusted all the valves, and injectors, removed and cleaned the turbo and after cooler, inspected the zinc's they are in good shape so I have a spare set to change out along the way.  He changed the raw water impeller, which I'm glad I had him do because you need a special bolt to removed the impeller, which I will be picking up today.  We also changed the engine and transmission oil, I still need to change the generator oil, my last project.

The new top is nearly completed, it has taken a bit longer than anticipated but has not impacted our schedule.  We opted for polycarbonate for the front and side windows and it is so clear that I would be on the bridge looking out and couldn't figure out why it was so hot and no wind.  They are that clear.  There are screens for all the polycarbonate windows as well as one for the strata glass door to the bridge.  We also had screens made for the three cabin hatches as well as the side cabin door.  We should be able to enjoy the fresh air without any bugs.

There have been quite few Looper's in the marina, our dock mates for the past few days are from Louisiana and are on the last leg of their Loop.  We have enjoyed chatting with them about the Loop, and hope to meet up with them along the way.  I found a bow flag pole that will fit our 1 1/4" rails.  Mary won't let me put up the Loop flag until our actual day of departure, which weather permitting will be later this week.

John's cousins, Barb and Catherine are staying at the cottage next door, we had a nice dinner with them last night and they will be joining us at the boat for a little get together along with our cottage neighbors, Ivan and Henrietta tonight.  Finally getting some time to relax a little now that most of the projects are done.

John & Mary