9/3/14: We left South Haven before 7:00 am headed to Chicago, Il. A long day 69NM and about 10 ½ hours of open water but the water was calm. We seized the good weather window opportunity which closes later today. Tomorrow the winds will howl once again making it impossible to travel on Lake Michigan.

The water was clam enough for Russ to grill out and pass food over to our two buddy boats, Miss Hadley & Endeavor.  This is Endeavor pulling along side for lunch deliver. 

TRIP STATS: Between 4/2/14 & 9/3/14:

·         Been on the loop  for 151 days

·         Went through 12 States & 1 Country (Canada)

·         Traveled 2332 Nautical Miles /2684 Statute Miles

·         Successfully locked through 72 Locks

9/2/14: Grand Haven to South Haven (45NM). The day started off with 2-4 ft. wave and calmed down to about 1-2 ft a couple of hours before South Haven.  We were ready to get to a calm harbor. We met 3 other Looper boats, one of which we had already met before in Delaware City.

Entrance to South Haven

Beach View South Harbor

8/31/14: We threw off the dock lines leaving Ludington behind with Grand Haven, Michigan (62 NM & 9 hours) as our next stop. Most of us Loopers like to stay in port during the weekends and holidays since the waterways are so crowded. But with the small weather windows on Lake Michigan we were forced to travel on a holiday. Boy were we surprised when we rounded the corner into Grand Haven. The number of boats inside this little channel was pretty amazing.

While we were at dock a Report with the Grand Haven Tribune interviewed us for a new article. Excited to see the story.

We got the last two spots at the Grand Haven Municipal Marina.  The winds picked up later in the evening & throughout the next day making the stay very uncomfortable. We would only recommend this marina in good weather. They do however have an amazing water light show across the river from the marina. Next to the marina is grand stand seating where people sit to enjoy the nightly show. 

8/28/14: We have been at Ludington Municipal Marina for 3 days. We had one day that would have been good to cross to the Wisconsin side however the days following that, about 6 days, showed bad weather. We would have been held up at the marina on that side. So we decided to stay on the Michigan side and ride out the bad weather forecast for Thursday, Friday, & Saturday. The weather is predicting winds as high as 40Knots. Lets hope this is one of the times the weather forecast is wrong.

Barb & Ross on Attitude Changer arrived for one night. Looper pot luck was great.

Ludington is a nice town. It is home to the S.S. Badger a 410’ Steamship. It is the largest car ferry to travel on the Great Lakes. The ship accommodates 620 passengers & up to 180 vehicles.

8/26/14:  We left Frankford & the fog rolled in. About 2 hours of nagivating using radar. Not fun but turned out well. We made it successfully to Ludington, Michigan.

Michigan has beautiful sunsets.

8/25/14: After leaving Leland we had a quick 24 NM trip to Frankfort, Michigan on 8/23. This port offers good restaurants, a grocery store, & shopping. We are waiting on a weather window to either continue south or cross to the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan. This morning a large line of thunderstorms came through & left behind high winds. The weather looks good tomorrow for a crossing.

Three Days of Smooth Water On Lake Michigan

8/22/14:  It was a quick 31 NM today to Leland, Michigan. The town is home to village style shops. Another good day on the water.

Twelve Stones at Leland Municipal Dock

Village Type Shops

A Dam In the Middle of The City 

The Dam makes a canal of sorts.

More Shops

8/22/14: Left Charlevoix this morning and the Lord provided a flat morning run. The weather may take a turn for the worse later, but this morning its beautiful.

Morning Sunrise

8/21/14: Well waiting on good weather certainly paid off.  Lake Michigan was flat and beautiful.  

We went 50 NM to Charlevoix City Marina. Charlevoix is known for its Hobbit style houses. When we arrived we were greeted by Limelight. We hadn’t seen them since Virginia. Of course we had a dock-tail party where we exchanged stories about our adventures. Limelight is only about a day away from crossing her wake.

Hobbit House Charlevoix, MI

Lighthouse at Charlevoix Entrance

Dock-tails with Loopers

John & Steve

8/20/14:  We had planned on leaving Mackinaw, Michigan yesterday but the wind was too bad. Then around 4pm fog rolled in and continued through the night and all through today. Normally from the slip we can see the Mackinaw Bridge, but haven’t been able to see it since yesterday around 4pm.

Some have left the marina and ventured out but we decided to wait this latest weather event out. From the dock we can hear the fog horns of the big barges but they are hidden by the fog. No way do we want to get out with them in these conditions.

The weather is still a mystery for tomorrow.

I (Elaine) have never been this cold in August in my entire life. 

8/15/14: Yesterday 4 Looper boats, friends we have met on the loop, were crossing Lake Huron. One boat experienced trouble.  All systems shut down, dead in the water. The water conditions were not good. One of the other boats tried to render assistance and began to take on water so they aborted & got safely to a marina. One of the other boats was able to standby until the coast guard arrived & towed the disabled boat to a marina.

In the end everyone was okay which is what really matters.

We were in a nearby marina & listened on the radio as this unfolded. It was a helpless feeling knowing there was nothing we could do to help. Nothing but pray, which is really the best thing to do.

While this trip has been amazing with regards to all we have seen. Yesterday it became clearer that it's so much more. It's the people we have met & have become friends with. The bond with other Loopers is truly the icing on the cake.

Thanking God today for His protection over all the Loopers while they live out their dreams.

8/13/14: Thanking God for a safe harbor here at the dock in Mackinaw, Michigan. Yesterday it rained and the lake had 8 ft waves west of Mackinaw bridge and 14 ft east of the bridge. Today we have registered 20 knot winds inside the marina. The wind is expected to continue through Saturday.

Mackinaw City Marina 

We had planned on staying here until Monday anyway so it has given us even more of an excuse to rest and take lots of naps. 

Our bow thruster (14 years old) stopped working so Russ ordered another motor and installed it today.

 I have started the MAJOR cleaning of the inside of the boat. Where does the dust come from?