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| Richard walking from the harbor to downtown Chicago |
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Saturday, August 28 Location: nearing Chicago Harbor lat 41 51 / lon 87 36
We just left our last stop – Hammond, In – where we had planned to stay for several days and take the train into Chicago for some sightseeing. However, one more attempt by our Captain, and we were able to secure a slip at Burnham Harbor in downtown Chicago on the campus of Shed’s Aquarium and the Planetarium. And, of course, a very short walk from Michigan Ave!
Chicago, here we come!
Chicago, here we come!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
August 26, 2010 Location: enroute to New Buffalo, Mi
Tadpole and Blue Max finally have a smooth sailing day and are taking advantage of it. We left South Haven early this morning after our failed attempt yesterday morning due to more severe wind gusts. Since we arrived back in the U.S. at Drummond Island on Aug 08, we have had 8 weather days that made it too rough to travel and the day we decided to go from Manistee to Ludington was no picnic. The captain was at the helm with his feet stretched out for support, our brass bell with a hanging center hammer rang itself several times, and Jacque and I spent the entire 3 hours sitting on the steps breathing fresh air and holding on. When it is as rough as it was that day, it is not a good idea to go inside and/or down below, and we didn’t feel like crawling up the stairs on our “behinds”. So we sat. Bear took to his regular hiding spot and Barbie looked at me “wide eyed” and wanted to be held for a little security. It was Tadpole's roughest ride with us aboard.
Today’s travel will take us New Buffalo, located on the Michigan, Indiana state line and only 75 miles from Chicago, then tomorrow on to Hammond, In. The lake is calm and we are relaxed.
Our original plans included a stop in the Chicago Harbor. However, the Tall Ships are at Navy Pier (24 -29 Aug) for the weekend, and this being the end of the northern boating season, we found it necessary to alter our route, avoiding downtown Chicago and all the boating traffic. We reserved a marina in Hammond, In. just several miles to the south which is near an Amtrak/South Shore station where we can ride a train to and from Chicago.
Jacque left us in South Haven Tuesday afternoon for home and another busy work year with the Portage Public School System. Bill, her hubby and Mary, her friend, drove up from Kalamazoo – just an hour ride – and picked her up after a short visit. It was super being able to spend time together again, walking, talking, laughing, and just doing “stuff”. Being with her makes me “happy”.
`
Today’s travel will take us New Buffalo, located on the Michigan, Indiana state line and only 75 miles from Chicago, then tomorrow on to Hammond, In. The lake is calm and we are relaxed.
Our original plans included a stop in the Chicago Harbor. However, the Tall Ships are at Navy Pier (24 -29 Aug) for the weekend, and this being the end of the northern boating season, we found it necessary to alter our route, avoiding downtown Chicago and all the boating traffic. We reserved a marina in Hammond, In. just several miles to the south which is near an Amtrak/South Shore station where we can ride a train to and from Chicago.
Jacque left us in South Haven Tuesday afternoon for home and another busy work year with the Portage Public School System. Bill, her hubby and Mary, her friend, drove up from Kalamazoo – just an hour ride – and picked her up after a short visit. It was super being able to spend time together again, walking, talking, laughing, and just doing “stuff”. Being with her makes me “happy”.
`
Monday, August 23, 2010
Monday, August 23 - 0700 leaving Ludington – direction south
Happy Birthday, Bill
After 4 days of high winds and strong gusts, we finally have pleasant weather for safe cruising. The lake is rather calm – 1 to 2 ft. We’re planning on a few very long travel days to make up for the days lost due to the weather. Will try and make it as far south as possible today, either Muskegon or Grand Haven and tomorrow to South Haven or Benton Harbor. Jacque, unfortunately, will have to leave us at one of these ports and we will miss her terribly. But, her hubby, Bill, has been a very good sport and misses her. There is also another minor point ---- she has to go back to work (yuck!). She's a very good skipper and deck hand but will need more practice----she will have to come back again.
While we were in Ludington, waiting on the weather, we kept ourselves busy walking the town over and over, went to the beach a couple of times just 1/4 quarter mile away (yes, the water was quite chilly), watched the ferry (S/S Badger) come into port and leave on its run between Ludington and Manitowac. Also took a 3mile hike to Walmart for some supplies. And, as usual, enjoyed our happy hours.
After 4 days of high winds and strong gusts, we finally have pleasant weather for safe cruising. The lake is rather calm – 1 to 2 ft. We’re planning on a few very long travel days to make up for the days lost due to the weather. Will try and make it as far south as possible today, either Muskegon or Grand Haven and tomorrow to South Haven or Benton Harbor. Jacque, unfortunately, will have to leave us at one of these ports and we will miss her terribly. But, her hubby, Bill, has been a very good sport and misses her. There is also another minor point ---- she has to go back to work (yuck!). She's a very good skipper and deck hand but will need more practice----she will have to come back again.
While we were in Ludington, waiting on the weather, we kept ourselves busy walking the town over and over, went to the beach a couple of times just 1/4 quarter mile away (yes, the water was quite chilly), watched the ferry (S/S Badger) come into port and leave on its run between Ludington and Manitowac. Also took a 3mile hike to Walmart for some supplies. And, as usual, enjoyed our happy hours.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
August 19, Ludington Mi
August 14-18 Manistee Mi
We had called ahead requesting two slips at the Manistee Municipal Marine and tied up to slips 2 & 3 which were well protected from the forecasted winds. After enjoying a swim on the very breezy beach and stops in town we climbed aboard for the evening. The winds were up to 25-30 knots by midnight and gusty..then we
were awakened by a 42 ft Coast Guard boat trying to get into the slip next to us with the winds directly on his side …Luc and I stood on his bow watching and wondering what the outcome would be…attempt
1, failed and he roared back in reverse back into the channel…attempt 2 failed in another wild attempt..
Sustained and gust winds were exceptionally strong.. The coast guard boat went parallel on a wall and
let two Sailors off to man the lines on the dock on the next attempt to slip in between us and the rock wall. If you have never seen a 42 foot boat enter a slip right next to you in the darkness with roaring
winds at approximately 15 miles an hour then full reverse into the dock…it is a bit scary. We later
learned from them that they were returning from a search in which they were unable to find a person
in the water..(his body was found in the morning).
This stop in Manistee also included a visit to the Casino..a great time was had and we all left our contributions to the slot machines.
After holding for 5 days for the winds to settle, we departed at 7am and left for Ludington approximately 3 hours down the coast with winds forecasted 8-14mph. Well, Tadpole had her roughest ride yet…
We estimate waves at over 6 feet..I’ll summarize by saying we have broken jars in the refrigerator.
Today we are settled in Ludington with winds forecasted at 25mph for the next three days..the good news is....the marina provides cable television and this Saturday's Nascar race is in Bristol. Next week we will continue southward on our journey to Chicago.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Thurs, August 12
Total days on Tadpole --- 110 ---
Left Charlesvoix at 0645, on the way to Leland – 34 miles away. Arrived at noon. Temp is very hot – 86 degrees. We walked the town and purchased fresh white trout for dinner from the local fish market, which was truly delicious . Alongside the market, we watched a family of otters playing in the river and kept us entertained for some time. The Leland Marina is located near the beach and Richard and Luc went for a swim in the water while Jacque and Tiki searched the beach for Petoskey stone. Jocelyne did not accompany us this afternoon.
Fri, August 13, 2010
Left Leland, headed south to Frankfort, Mi. We had reservations at Jacobson’s Marina complete with spa and pool, where we spent most of the afternoon. Later in the afternoon we walked the town, picked up steaks at the grocery store, then cooked them on the grill.
Sat, August 14, 2010
We visited the local farmer’s market before making headway to our next stop, Manistee, before the weather turns. 15-20 knot winds are expected.
Total days on Tadpole --- 110 ---
Left Charlesvoix at 0645, on the way to Leland – 34 miles away. Arrived at noon. Temp is very hot – 86 degrees. We walked the town and purchased fresh white trout for dinner from the local fish market, which was truly delicious . Alongside the market, we watched a family of otters playing in the river and kept us entertained for some time. The Leland Marina is located near the beach and Richard and Luc went for a swim in the water while Jacque and Tiki searched the beach for Petoskey stone. Jocelyne did not accompany us this afternoon.
Fri, August 13, 2010
Left Leland, headed south to Frankfort, Mi. We had reservations at Jacobson’s Marina complete with spa and pool, where we spent most of the afternoon. Later in the afternoon we walked the town, picked up steaks at the grocery store, then cooked them on the grill.
Sat, August 14, 2010
We visited the local farmer’s market before making headway to our next stop, Manistee, before the weather turns. 15-20 knot winds are expected.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Thursday, August 12 Location: Leland, Michigan
Arrived back into the USA, cleared customs in Drummond, Mi. and are now travelling south on the east coast of Lake Michigan. Below is a summary of our travels through Georgian Bay and the North Channel.
Leaving Port Severn (the smallest and busiest lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway) we traveled through the South Channel using the small craft route beginning at Roberts Island.
Monday, 26 Jul - We anchored off Gilman Bay
Tuesday, 27 Jul - stopped at Parry Sound for groceries (courtesy car to and from).
Anchored at Pointe au Baril on tues and wed due to expected high winds.
Thursday, 29 Jul- anchored off Henvey Inlet – had difficulty with our anchor – would not hold and
Moved Tadpole closer to the inlet for the night. Evening storm came through, and our anchor held.
Traveled through Cunningham Channel. Entered the North Channel at Killarney….traveled through Collins Inlet, – a route with many rocks throughout.
Friday, 30 Jul - made a lunch stop at Killarney. Tadpole docked at a private dock, separate from our traveling companions due to limited space , paid the owner a few dollars to stop for an hour or two.
Had fish and chips at Herbert Fisheries – an old red school bus selling fish and Serving fish and chips with fish just caught out of the lake. The best we’ve had!
Left Killarney and anchored at Covered Portage Cove. Beautiful. Joe took me on a dingy ride as we have not yet put the motor on our dingy.
Saturday, 31 Jul - It was on to Little Current – a very busy harbor. Stayed 2 days. It was Hawberry Festival weekend plus Civic Holiday on Monday. Sunday was complete with a parade through town, a day long street market with vendors selling foods and snacks and art work, clothing. There was a boat parade and fireworks in the evening. The town turned out for the fun and so did we.
Mon-Thurs 02-06aug Left Little Current with Joyce and Joe (Takitez) for the Benjamin Islands. Luc and Jocelyn stayed behind for some mechanical work on Blue Max.
Anchored near the south Benjamin Island and stayed 4 days, first, to wait for Blue Max, then another few days due to the weather – a cold front was moving in creating high winds with significant gusts. We put out an additional anchor for a strong hold and opened the bridge windows to lessen the drag of the boat from the wind. We slept with one eye opened while the wind gusts whipped around Tadpole. Each time one of the boats anchors came loose, any boat that would notice would blow his horn to alert all the others. A red sailboat had quite a bit of difficulty anchoring – his anchor coming loose 3 times- and each time, they were away from their boat, having gone off on their dingy for a trip to shore and/or a visit to another boat. They returned very quickly to secure their boat. Fortunately, our worry was for naught.
The Benjamin Islands are beautiful and a very popular anchorage for the locals and also one of our favorites. Smooth, colorful, mountainous rocks made up of solidified granite, quartz, and many other types of rock that were carved out by 2000 foot thick glaciers over 70 thousand years ago. The exposed rocks are over 1 billion years old, the oldest on the universe.
We walked around the huge boulders several times during our layover, getting our exercise and watched the sunset from the west side of the island. I tried out Joyce’s kayak, paddled it from their boat to ours with the current and Richard pulled me back to their boat which was against the current. It was fun.
Depth around the glacier area can drop from 10 to 200 ft, created by the glaciers downward pressure.
Friday, 06 Aug Traveling westbound in Whalesback Channel, passing through Little Detroit (announcing our passage with a securite) and on to our next anchorage in a cove called Bear Drop (lat 46 10/ lon 82 40) which follows the coastline and the trans-Canada highway 17.
The winds are still gusting, but not as bad. The temperature this morning is cool, in the 50’s, making a jacket feel very good.
Arrived at about noon, and took we all took a dingy tour of the anchorage. We followed that with a chart study at Blue Max and noticed Tadpoles anchor was dragging due to the increased wind and pushing us very close to Blue Max. Joe kept her away from Blue Max by pushing her with his dingy while Luc and Richard starting her engine and pulled up the 2 anchors that had lost their hold due to the very high wind gusts. It was a very stressful time and one we really hope not to experience again. She is now moved to another location and hopefully secure for the night.
It is our last night with Joyce and Joe (Takitez) and we had planned a final happy hour with them, but….did not want to stray from the boat until the winds lessened, unfortunately, too late for us to get with the group.
They are continuing with their son, Michael, to Gore Bay, then home to Goderich, On.
Our route will take us to Thessalon, On., then Drummond Island where we will clear customs, then on to the Straits of Mackinac. 5-6 days travel, weather permitting.
Sunday, August 8 Spent Saturday in Thessalon. Spoke to one of the boater’s that was anchored By us in Bear Drop. He said the wind gusts had measured up to 35knots.
Our departure for Drummond Island was delayed this am by rain and fog, but Underway at noon and cleared US Customs without delay.
Monday, August 9 Docked at a new state marina in Mackinaw City and Richard and I took the ferry to Mackinaw Island for the rest of the afternoon. No cars permitted. People Get around by foot, bikes, or carriages – some horse drawn. We made sure to Dodge them all.
Tuesday, August 10 Had to delay our departure to Petoskey until around 1100am after the fog lifted,
Arrived later than we like – about 630pm. Had dinner on board, then, walked Around the city while waiting for my sister, Jacque, to arrive from Kalamazoo by bus. Hope this newest crew member is a fast learner as we plan on putting her to work – go swab the deck, mate!!!!
Leaving Port Severn (the smallest and busiest lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway) we traveled through the South Channel using the small craft route beginning at Roberts Island.
Monday, 26 Jul - We anchored off Gilman Bay
Tuesday, 27 Jul - stopped at Parry Sound for groceries (courtesy car to and from).
Anchored at Pointe au Baril on tues and wed due to expected high winds.
Thursday, 29 Jul- anchored off Henvey Inlet – had difficulty with our anchor – would not hold and
Moved Tadpole closer to the inlet for the night. Evening storm came through, and our anchor held.
Traveled through Cunningham Channel. Entered the North Channel at Killarney….traveled through Collins Inlet, – a route with many rocks throughout.
Friday, 30 Jul - made a lunch stop at Killarney. Tadpole docked at a private dock, separate from our traveling companions due to limited space , paid the owner a few dollars to stop for an hour or two.
Had fish and chips at Herbert Fisheries – an old red school bus selling fish and Serving fish and chips with fish just caught out of the lake. The best we’ve had!
Left Killarney and anchored at Covered Portage Cove. Beautiful. Joe took me on a dingy ride as we have not yet put the motor on our dingy.
Saturday, 31 Jul - It was on to Little Current – a very busy harbor. Stayed 2 days. It was Hawberry Festival weekend plus Civic Holiday on Monday. Sunday was complete with a parade through town, a day long street market with vendors selling foods and snacks and art work, clothing. There was a boat parade and fireworks in the evening. The town turned out for the fun and so did we.
Mon-Thurs 02-06aug Left Little Current with Joyce and Joe (Takitez) for the Benjamin Islands. Luc and Jocelyn stayed behind for some mechanical work on Blue Max.
Anchored near the south Benjamin Island and stayed 4 days, first, to wait for Blue Max, then another few days due to the weather – a cold front was moving in creating high winds with significant gusts. We put out an additional anchor for a strong hold and opened the bridge windows to lessen the drag of the boat from the wind. We slept with one eye opened while the wind gusts whipped around Tadpole. Each time one of the boats anchors came loose, any boat that would notice would blow his horn to alert all the others. A red sailboat had quite a bit of difficulty anchoring – his anchor coming loose 3 times- and each time, they were away from their boat, having gone off on their dingy for a trip to shore and/or a visit to another boat. They returned very quickly to secure their boat. Fortunately, our worry was for naught.
The Benjamin Islands are beautiful and a very popular anchorage for the locals and also one of our favorites. Smooth, colorful, mountainous rocks made up of solidified granite, quartz, and many other types of rock that were carved out by 2000 foot thick glaciers over 70 thousand years ago. The exposed rocks are over 1 billion years old, the oldest on the universe.
We walked around the huge boulders several times during our layover, getting our exercise and watched the sunset from the west side of the island. I tried out Joyce’s kayak, paddled it from their boat to ours with the current and Richard pulled me back to their boat which was against the current. It was fun.
Depth around the glacier area can drop from 10 to 200 ft, created by the glaciers downward pressure.
Friday, 06 Aug Traveling westbound in Whalesback Channel, passing through Little Detroit (announcing our passage with a securite) and on to our next anchorage in a cove called Bear Drop (lat 46 10/ lon 82 40) which follows the coastline and the trans-Canada highway 17.
The winds are still gusting, but not as bad. The temperature this morning is cool, in the 50’s, making a jacket feel very good.
Arrived at about noon, and took we all took a dingy tour of the anchorage. We followed that with a chart study at Blue Max and noticed Tadpoles anchor was dragging due to the increased wind and pushing us very close to Blue Max. Joe kept her away from Blue Max by pushing her with his dingy while Luc and Richard starting her engine and pulled up the 2 anchors that had lost their hold due to the very high wind gusts. It was a very stressful time and one we really hope not to experience again. She is now moved to another location and hopefully secure for the night.
It is our last night with Joyce and Joe (Takitez) and we had planned a final happy hour with them, but….did not want to stray from the boat until the winds lessened, unfortunately, too late for us to get with the group.
They are continuing with their son, Michael, to Gore Bay, then home to Goderich, On.
Our route will take us to Thessalon, On., then Drummond Island where we will clear customs, then on to the Straits of Mackinac. 5-6 days travel, weather permitting.
Sunday, August 8 Spent Saturday in Thessalon. Spoke to one of the boater’s that was anchored By us in Bear Drop. He said the wind gusts had measured up to 35knots.
Our departure for Drummond Island was delayed this am by rain and fog, but Underway at noon and cleared US Customs without delay.
Monday, August 9 Docked at a new state marina in Mackinaw City and Richard and I took the ferry to Mackinaw Island for the rest of the afternoon. No cars permitted. People Get around by foot, bikes, or carriages – some horse drawn. We made sure to Dodge them all.
Tuesday, August 10 Had to delay our departure to Petoskey until around 1100am after the fog lifted,
Arrived later than we like – about 630pm. Had dinner on board, then, walked Around the city while waiting for my sister, Jacque, to arrive from Kalamazoo by bus. Hope this newest crew member is a fast learner as we plan on putting her to work – go swab the deck, mate!!!!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Monday, August 2 Location: Little Current, Ontario
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| in Little Current |
Hi..Saturday July 31..after anchoring out last night outside Killarney, we pulled into the marina at the town of Little Current which puts us officially on the North Channel… This coastal route will take westward across southern Canada then down to Lake Michigan. This part of our trip offers an additional navigation challenge as there is no published route to follow on the charts.
What a journey it has been for us these last 3 months..up the Atlantic to New York…then the Hudson river to the Erie canal.. to Oswego.. across Lake Ontario to Kingston. Then we continued up the Rideau waterway 150 miles northward to Ottawa… returning to Kingston and cruising across the Trent-Severn waterway westward into Georgian Bay. Now after traveling at little more than 443 hours underway at the helm, we continue westward across the North Channel for approximately 150 miles.
As the photo’s will show, this past week we have been navigating across this beautiful country between rocks, rocks, and more rocks..depths often quickly go from 20ft to 250ft were during the last ice age. The weight of moving glacier’s years ago carved out the bottom.
Just a short entry this time as our availability to wifi is limited and will add photos with this post.
Thank you, Christine, for updating everyone on our adventure together. It’s quite obvious we had a great visit.
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