26 July, 2021. Hello Lake Michigan and goodbye Lake Huron

 

50 SM; 7.3 hours

Last night winds were questionable to depart this morning, especially the southern portion of the route.  Rise and shine at 0400, coffee mug in hand, the weather gods appeared to change their minds.  The entire route wind forecast was more favorable, but waves probably were going to be on the choppy and lumpy side.  We checked and double checked and decided it was a go to begin the long southern leg of Lake Michigan.  Gear stowed for rough conditions, checklists complete, the little Yanmar diesel warming, we untied the lines at 0545.  Southerly winds forecast to gust to 20 knots later in the day, so early departure required.  Eased out of the slip and out of the marina with the navigation lights illuminated as official sunrise was still distant.  Not dark, nautical twilight and visibility excellent.  We are traveling today with Sea Moor, another looper in a 29 foot American Tug.

Retired Icebreaker

Illuminated Tug

Only about three miles traveled and we passed under the Straits of Mackinaw bridge and officially entered Lake Michigan.  Yea.

Looking NW; still in Lake Huron

Getting closer

West side of bridge heading west; officially in Lake Michigan

The above route picture shows a nearly 3.0 hour transit west.  There is a peninsula that juts into the lake nearly 21 miles and at the end are numerous rocky shoals.  Careful navigation and finding the navigation markers were key—much easier now days with GPS and electronic charts, but visual confirmation a good thing if the magic quits.

Abandoned light house—replacement to the right out of view

Winds and waves were stronger and higher than forecast.  Westerly and waves 1-2 feet on the bow.  Ahead 2.5 hours was Beaver island with a good anchorage and marina.  We contemplated heading there, and would have but as we got to our western turn point the winds as forecast began to shift to WSW.  Turning south, the waves were on the starboard bow and not too rolling.  So we pressed ahead another four hours toward our intended destination.  Our wind app predicted decreasing and shifting winds from about 0900-1100 along with a calming sea state.  In fact it happened as forecast.  So we enjoyed OK conditions until about 1100.  Then the winds resumed and built up 10-14 MPH from the SW and resultant wave action did too.  Last two hours of travel was a curving path toward the SE, putting the waves on the starboard beam so it was roll, roll, rolling along we went.  Not violent, but definitely had to hang on and we stored items off of the helm station.  Crazy deep harbor; 95 feet deep mid harbor.  We headed toward the anchorage and got as close as we could to the beach and yacht club before dropping the anchor in 20 feet of water.  Engine secured at 1245.  (Map) We both gave each other hi-fives for completing our first leg on Lake Michigan. This was a bit challenging and there were no bail out options without long open water passages.  So blessed to have this first leg under our belts. Kim’s video

Nap time, then afternoon coffee.  We splashed the dinghy and took Kaos to town. This is a very high end community.  Homes massive, yacht and tennis clubs everywhere, and big boats fill the waterways. Harbor Springs, MI  We walked around for exercise then rode Kaos back to Serenity.  

Homes along the shoreline

Main Street home

Dinghy dock; Kaos at the very far end

Left overs for supper.  Cool breezes tonight on the anchorage.  Thunderstorms forecast late tonight or very early tomorrow morning.  Remainder of tomorrow after the thunder and rain pass through looks go for traveling.  Plan to make leg number two on Lake Michigan tomorrow.

5260 SM journeyed; 1933.7 hours hobbs