7 August, 2021. Bonus day; Lake Michigan calmed down for 2/3 of the day

34 SM; 4.9 hours

Checking latest evening winds and wave forecast last night, today remained questionable.  Good night sleep secured at the marina, we let the winds do what the winds wanted to do on Lake Michigan.  Not too early wake up this morning; 0500 for coffee and bible study.  No need to check weather yet as wave forecast not yet updated, but winds appear to have decreased a lot.  We go for a three mile walk at 0700 and back by 0800.  

Along the walk

Detailed weather review and it looks go to head south.  There remains a SW swell of two feet but not too stacked up and for the middle of the day, surface winds forecast to remain below 10.  Water tank filled, shore power disconnected, we toss the lines at 0950.  Estimated 4.5 hours trip to our first potential destination at White lake, a safe harbor off of Lake Michigan.  Not the smoothest days on the Great Lakes but not so bad.  Very rolling entire trip with swell just off the bow.  Numerous large yachts moving today and their large wakes added to the messy water.  Passed by a recreational area with lots of ATV riders on the dunes.  

Play area

Winds remained pretty much as predicted.  A tad strengthening approaching White Lake and the swell was also growing.  Mid afternoon approaching our first opportunity to get off the lake.  Another two hours further to Muskegon safe harbor.  We noted a large area of rain and thunderstorms just exiting Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan moving SE.  Combined with chances of strong thunderstorms later this afternoon and evening, we decided to exit Lake Michigan and head to an anchorage inside of White Lake.  We found good holding in 20 feet of water at 1445.  We are bobbing like a cork as lots of pleasure boats are out ridding around on the lake.  (Map). It will calm down near sunset. Kim’s anchorage video

Nice homes in the anchorage area

Strengthening southerly winds tonight.  Not a good boating forecast for next several days.  Looks like we will remain holed up in White lake for a while.  Anchor a couple of nights then if available check on marina slip for a night or so.  

5477 SM journeyed; 1965.8 hours hobbs