Hammond Marina (part of it) The 20th port of our boat journey is a bit of a shocker. It's a long walk, maybe a half-mile, to the marina office. Music floats over from nearby boats, often loudly. We need a key to enter and exit the docks. And, this marina has 900 slips! We're not … Continue reading To Hammond, Ind. (Day 35)
Tag: boating
To New Buffalo (Day 32-34)
So close and yet so far. We are 45 miles across from Chicago, which is a day trip in calm seas. New Buffalo shoreline Seas are not calm. So we're spending a 3rd night in New Buffalo, some five miles from the Indiana border, along with seven other Looper boats. It's not a bad place … Continue reading To New Buffalo (Day 32-34)
St. Joe (Day 31)
When you "meet" a city -- or a country, for that matter -- it sometimes helps to look beyond first impressions and seek the full story. (Same with people.) St. Joe, as the locals call St. Joseph, was once the site of a French fort. It was a trading post. A shipping center. A manufacturing … Continue reading St. Joe (Day 31)
To St. Joseph (Day 29-30)
The sculpture at the entrance to St. Joseph is called "And You, Seas." It's the sounds of St. Joseph that grab me: trains that run right by the marina, church bells and live music from across the channel, the warning horn of the nearby swing bridge that's about to open, and the deep honk of … Continue reading To St. Joseph (Day 29-30)
To South Haven (Day 28)
South Haven certainly was a haven for us because of a generous and very welcome visit by my cousin and his wife. (And their fabulous poodle, Bailey.) Jeff and I hate to shop, but it is necessary -- and hard, when you're living on a boat. Leon and Sandy made it a lot easier. They … Continue reading To South Haven (Day 28)
To Saugatuck (Day 26-27)
What comes to mind when I think of Saugatuck? Expensive! Hot! Doesn't sound great, but it actually was an enjoyable 2-day visit overall. Passing Grand Haven lighthouse on the way out. I wanted more than one evening in Grand Haven, but this journey is always dictated by weather. It remained favorable, so we moved on. … Continue reading To Saugatuck (Day 26-27)
To Grand Haven (Day 25)
We heard lots of positive things about Grand Haven, and it didn't disappoint. The biggest treat was the famed musical fountain, right across the narrow river from the marina. Superb! We were under way today by 0730 and made the 52-mile trip down the coast to our newest port in 6.5 hours. That means we … Continue reading To Grand Haven (Day 25)
Pentwater (Day 24)
Did you know that rough seas can often bring warmer water? At least that's my memory of Lake Superior. The wind blows the warm surface water to shore, or some such. It's true in Lake Michigan today. I felt like a kid, romping in the surf. A good feeling. I needed it. Sometimes this boating-as-lifestyle … Continue reading Pentwater (Day 24)
To Pentwater (Day 22-23)
(Update: Boo returned an hour after I posted this. Whew! Taking a pet on The Loop is rewarding--and sometimes stressful! Still, many people do it.) This is where Boo the Cat bolted. That's how I'll always think of Pentwater! I hope that by the time you read this, she has returned, but I decided to … Continue reading To Pentwater (Day 22-23)
To Ludington (Day 21)
Calm seas. New companions. Easy docking. Fabulous sunset. A good day! I'll have to remember this one when the "bad" days come, as surely they will. (Long-term boating is never all good, no matter what some die-hard boaters say. That's not to say it isn't worth doing -- just not "all good.") Our Frankfort-to-Ludington leg … Continue reading To Ludington (Day 21)
For Many Moons 