16 July, 2021. Crossing Saginaw Bay

29 SM; 4.4 hours

 0400 wake up call.  Cold front passage last night, winds supposed to be acceptable before increasing from the north and northeast around middle of the day.  Clear, dry morning.  No fog, clouds or thunderstorms today.  Timing of wind shift is of concern and there remains a 10 knot wind blowing down Saginaw bay confirmed by a weather buoy about 30 miles away on the western side of the bay.  Winds apps all indicated decreasing wind and flattening of the waves for about 5 hours this morning.  So, we plan an early go.  All checks complete, coffee finished,  we untied the lines,  easing out of Port Austin harbor at 0610.  Traveling with Sea Moor and Curt's Dream again today.  About a 4.5 hour crossing according to the electronic charts.  A straight as an arrow course from channel marker to channel marker.  It was not calm by any stretch, but the nearly beam seas were not too bad and for the first hour; only about a foot high.

Almost half way to Oscoda, MI

Half way, no sight of land, no cell coverage, just three small boats bobbing in the water doing 7 MPH on a course of 348 degrees.  Today winds never really decreased as forecast, but did not get too much stronger.  Generally winds remained NE at 10 knots with gusts of 12-13.  Seas building slightly, and the last hour 2+ feet in height.  Rolling and bouncing we continued until entering the protected channel at Oscoda.  Oscoda located on the Au Sable river which empties into Lake Huron is our destination.  A Gold Looper (completed the loop) and 1/2 through their second loop; Tom and Carol,  summer here and have arranged dockage for our three boats.  We enter into the river and shortly are secured at a dock near the private community at 1015.  Kim's Oscoda video

Au Sable marina and campground

Glad to have the bay crossing complete.  (map) Glad to be secured as the winds build this afternoon and tomorrow.  Not really bad, but NE winds blowing across the width of Lake Huron will kick the waves up to 3 feet tomorrow.  Today, will be chilling out, going to the grocery store for steaks.  Tom and Carol have invited us all to their summer cottage (park model) for grilling and conservation.  We had a great supper ashore, and enjoyed everyone's company and stories.  Nearly 10pm when we returned to Serenity.

Tomorrow, planning, walking, cleaning and enjoying the day off.  Sunday winds are looking favorable as we continue traveling northward toward the end of Lake Huron.  

5063 SM traveled; 1904.5 hours hobbs