3 August, 2021. Not a great day in Lake Michigan; excellent day anchored in Frankfort, MI

 

3.0 SM; 0.6 hours

Our intent was a four hour travel day with two additional anchorage areas off of Lake Michigan in between.  A little surprised looking at winds forecast last night as the high pressure was not moving as fast as predicted and the winds over the night and early this morning would be gusting greater that 15 knots.  A sustained SW wind has about 50 + miles across the lake from the Wisconsin side to really build and stack up.  So this morning we took our time as forecasts seemed to predict that around 1000 the winds and seas would have dropped below 10 MPH and waves calmed to 1.5 feet.  So we raised the anchor at 0915 and headed out to take a look.  Wow…clearing the harbor breakwater walls we were met with two + to three foot swells very closely packed.  Even taking them on the bow was not comfortable and we needed to turn more southerly and putting this stuff on the beam was going to be very uncomfortable and would trash stuff about the boat.  Nope—we turned around.  Eased back to the anchorage, nearly the same spot and dropped the anchor and secured at 0945.  Whew.  Glad that was not any longer.

Frankfort MI harbor light house

We splashed the dinghy and went to the free dinghy dock.  Great, clean small town.  Main Street busy with lots of folks.  Sidewalks full and the bike/jogging and walking paths busy too.   We hiked to the sand dune beach, then returned on the other side of Main Street.  We took Kaos the dinghy back to Serenity and had lunch.

Colorful signage

Michigan has good trails

Serenity lying at anchor

We relooked at the winds and weather forecast mid-day.  Winds marginally improved; gusts down but sustained winds remained well about 10-12.  Keeping SW beam seas that were of no interest to us.  So, we remain on the anchor for another night.  Late this afternoon we took Kaos back to the free dinghy dock and walked 0.6 miles to a real A&W Root beer joint.  Just like in high school.  Did not know any existed.  Missing were the big frosty mugs of ice cold root beer.  Paper cups instead.  But hot dogs were good enough.  We also splurged and stopped at the local dairy maid and had ice cream.

No frosty mugs

Gigantic cones

Back aboard Serenity content, but too much shore food.   Winds look good for early morning departure.  That is the plan to make it about four hours south and anchor. Winds and weather not supportive of being out on the lake beginning Thursday.  Breezy at anchor tonight, but another nice sunset with cool air.