9 July, 2021. Windy choppy day on Lake St. Clair

 

32 SM; one detour, 5.2 hours

We knew today was going to be choppy on lake St. Clair.   Several bail out options identified  along the way as we intended to anchor up at the northern end of the lake, placing us in a good position tomorrow to head toward Lake Huron.  Winds northerly at 10-15 with waves two feet or less was the forecast.  Winds decreasing later in the afternoon and clock around to the NE.  We cast off the lines at 0735 and eased our way back into the Detroit river for a run of about five miles before entering the lake.

Gray and choppy morning entering lake St. Clair

Into the lake and coming out of the lee of the US side, winds were a little bit stronger than forecast, but everything seemed manageable.  We continued northward into headwinds and 2-3 footers on the bow.  As the winds were not as forecast and actually getting stronger, we decided to bail out to an anchorage at Ford’s cove and wait for the afternoon calming.  Winds steady 15G20.  

Water spray from the bow—entering Ford’s cove

We anchored at 0950; a couple of other boats already here.  Edsel Ford home and compound. The cove was dredged in order for Ford’s motor boats access to his property.  We did not go ashore but it was very pretty along both shores.  Peaceful, warming and very calm.  We had lunch and a nap.  The weather apps predicted winds had in fact decreased to 10 MPH from the north so we upped the anchor at 1345 and headed back to the lake then northward.  Ride was pretty decent until the winds did not shift nor really decrease as forecast.  We pressed ahead at 7 MPH.

Clearing but windy

The plan was to go up to the northern end of the lake and anchor for the night and make an early morning run up the St Clair river toward Port Huron.  But since the winds were stiffening out of the NW and not decreasing and moving around to the NE we headed toward New Baltimore, MI which according to the boating guides has a free city dock.  Arriving later in the afternoon, the docks has signage reading city docks but no other signage.  The docks were adjacent to a large city park with a swimming beach. A couple of recreational boats were already there and lots of people in the park.  Winds near shore were decent and we safely docked at 1630 to fixed wooden piers.  Sea Moor another looper docked shortly after us.  No one greeted us and we looked around for a harbor master or any signs saying no overnight dockage.  New Baltimore city docks video

The crew of Sea Moor and Serenity headed to the park and town only 1/2 mile away.  Picked up a few items at Walgreens then had burgers ashore.  Back aboard around 2000, where Serenity was being rocked pretty hard from wakes.  Double checked lines and bumpers—all good to go.  Around 2200 a young man from parks and recreation came and said we have to move right now.  Kim calmly negotiated and promised we would be gone before sunrise.  It seems you really cannot overnight—but no signs.  And, there was a triathlon scheduled the next morning at the park base camp.  Sometime during the night the winds finally calmed, the boat wakes ended and Serenity was still and sleep came.

4899 SM journeyed; 1878.0 hours hobbs