Day 84 & 85: Underway: Heading South

Day 84: October 10: Another cold and drizzly day. It's been pretty darn cold all week so you think we would have gotten used to it; I already bought a blanket and today John took the bike downtown to buy some socks. I am very grateful I purchased a pretty warm jacket while we were on Mackinac Island. In this cold weather a sweatshirt doesn't cut it. 

Sandra and David left at about 7:30 am, heading under the Maple Street Bridge to the marina on the other side to get fuel and water. We didn't see them for the rest of the day. We spent most of the day finishing up the 4 part epic adventure: Lonesome Dove. Western movie fans might know this 1989 mini series starring Tommy Lee Jones, Ricky Schroder, Robert Urich, Danny Glover, Robert Duvall, Angelica Huston and more. 

Day 85: October 11: Hallelujah and praise the LORD! We all got underway this morning after spending 9 days in Manistee. David and Sandra came under the bridge and passed us by at 7:30 am. Scott and Michelle on "Dog on It" and we shoved off, following Zendeavor out of the harbor. Isle of Skye (Angie and Paul) actually left the dock at about 5:30), anxious to make good time. 

Just as we backed out a small environmental boat pulled out ahead of us, causing us to slow down quite a bit and fall behind Zendeavor. The harbor entrance was still unsettled; pretty big rolls had us bouncing up and down. We radioed back to Scott to be prepared for the rollers; David called back that once out a bit the lake became much smoother. 


Sandra captured this picture of us heading out

We were originally planning on heading to Muskegon, depending on weather conditions. It was cold, especially with a couple of the flybridge windows open (needed to obtain a clear view). Thankfully the lake was pretty calm. John set the course in a direction that had the waves on our stern, decreasing what was hitting us broadside, always appreciated. Not long after we left Manistee behind, Scott radioed that he was going to increase his speed and get moving. We travel at about 8 knots. Dog on It can travel quite a bit faster but doesn't usually want to due to fuel consumption. I guess he made the decision that getting as far south as possible was worth the cost. 

We had a surprise guest trying to catch a ride! This little guy must have gotten lost somehow. He landed on our deck and walked around a bit. I even put down some cloths hoping he would be able to warm up. Unfortunately he didn't make it. 😓 I think he was a juvenile but how he ended up out on the lake is a mystery. 


As a side note, John had replaced the stabilizer hoses before we left Westport but over time the oil leak has increased. Assuming it was actually the pistons leaking, he called the company the other day, asking how to lock them in place. He is hoping to be able to remove them and have them rebuilt but for now, exactly when we could use them, they are out of commission. 

Weather conditions changed throughout the trip. For awhile we were in a fog bank; icy drizzle spitting at us through the open glass. One thing fog is good for is it causes the water to lay down! So while we were cold, we cruised along on calm seas, with NW/W winds averaging 5 knots.


After awhile we could see the horizon looking brighter. While it felt like we could reach out and touch it, it took quite some time to reach the sunshine and finally leave the fog behind. What a difference the sun makes! It became much warmer, making the cruise quite pleasant. Conditions were good so we made the decision to pass Muskegon by and head further south to Grand Haven. The coastline did not change along the trip; sand dunes and trees with a few cottages and houses line the shore.


Our friends Jonathan and Morgan on Wayward Wind (the couple we traveled with on the Erie Canal) called a few times during the voyage. They were underway also, having left Whitehall after being held up there for about two weeks. They are on a sailboat and the wind and waves have not been in their favor, resulting in them staying put until today. We were looking forward to meeting up with them in Grand Haven.

We reached Grand Haven at 6:00 pm, having traveled 80 NM in 10 hours.



Looking back after passing the breakwater

AJ told me Grand Haven hosts a Coast Guard festival every year; and has been named Coast Guard City USA. 


We passed the station and caught sight of the anchor up on the hill on our port side (no banner present). AJ thought they may have taken it down once the season ended. 


David and Sandra, along with Jonathan and Morgan were already on the free wall; when we arrived we had our own welcoming party! Shortly after we tied up Angie and Paul arrived. While they had left Manistee 2 hours before us, they stopped for fuel in Muskegon, causing them to fall behind. 

Docked on the free wall for the night

We ate a quick dinner on board and then Sandra and I took a walk around the city. Our plan is to get UW in the morning so we won't be able to see any of it tomorrow. 






















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