Eighteen days since we left Mackinac Island and we’re approximately 150 miles down the Michigan coast. We’ve spent more time sitting in marina’s studying wind and wave forecasts than we have spent on the water. At this rate, we’ll make Chicago (instead of Kentucky) by the end of October.
We have been traveling with Loopers Alittle Loopy, Saltaire, Adagio, Valentine, Vitamin Sea, Alcyone and Whiskey Business (all large power boats) until Tuesday. All headed out except Alittle Loopy (our 31’ Ranger Tug buddy boat) and us. Waves were running 3-5 feet on the beam; Stealaway’s cockpit is about 2 ft from the water, so it would have been a rocky and wet ride for sure (have we mentioned how cold the water is here??) Heard that evening from Adagio, a slower Trawler, that we made the right decision to stay; they were pretty beat up.
We have made stops on Michigan’s western shore at Harbor Springs, Charlevoix (lovely town, awesome marina – 4 days there), Leland, Frankfort, Arcadia Lake and now 9 days in Ludington. The coastline has been beautiful with high sand dunes and Caribbean-like turquoise water. It truly is like being on the ocean – only worse with short intervals between waves.
We have made the best of our unexpected vacation in Ludington. Along with 6 other Loopers, we boarded the S.S. Badger and crossed Lake Michigan 60-miles to Manitowoc, Wisconsin and back. Very cool 410 ft long, 1953 coal-powered car ferry, last one in operation in the U.S. We had a Mexican potluck in the boater lounge with 21 Loopers in attendance. Awesome food, margaritas and conversation. We hiked in Ludington State Park to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse, circa 1867, and climbed the 100-foot spiral staircase to the top.
After 9 days in Ludington, we know our favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurants. We have been to Walmart twice to provision. We have washed the sheets twice in the same laundry room. We have even gotten our flu shots! The next step is to open a P.O. Box for mail delivery here☹.