8-12 August, 2021. Wind, Gale, Hail, Severe thunderstorms, monsoonal rain

 

Short 4 SM movement; 1 hour

8 August.  Last night a specular light show arrived at 2230.  It was predicted, weather alerts on the weather radio.  We thought it would cross the lake faster west to east, but it stalled and built up before slamming into the west coast of Michigan.  We were up for nearly 3 hours as intense lightening and strong gusty winds pushed the rain sideways.  Anchor held.  Around 2 am we were back asleep.  Sunday morning was misty and windy.  We listened to bible study radio via the internet.  Relaxing on the boat most of the day.  There was enough wind, that most of the jet skiers, fishing boats and pleasure boats stayed off White lake. Severe thunderstorm watch/warnings have been issued.  Anticipate arrival around sunset.  Strong storms arrived, but wind and lightening not as intense as last night.  Around 2200, it calmed down and we went to sleep.

9 August.  Lake Michigan is angry and will remain so until early Friday morning.  Each day strong winds gusting in excess of 25 knots with afternoon and evening thunderstorms forecast.  Seems like small craft warning get issued each day.  Serenity needed diesel.  Crosswinds Marine Service is a boat yard, repair facility and a marina.  I called to verify diesel availability and to check on a slip.  Was passed along to the owner who said he had zero transit slips available, but he was pulling a customer's boat out of his slip for maintenance and we could berth in that slip till Friday if we wanted.  I agreed and said we were on the way.  Easy motor to the end of the lake and turned into the freshening SW winds and eased along side the fuel dock.  40.8 gallons topped off the tank.  $3.69/gallon was the highest price so far on our trip.  We repositioned to our assigned slip.  A very clean and well maintained, local owner business.  Clean showers, and laundry room.  We tidied up Serenity and unloaded 4 days of trash.  Heavy rain and thunderstorms again tonight.  Kim's video

10 August.  Lake Michigan remains unwelcoming to recreational boaters.  Strong SW winds continue.  Noisy in marina as the winds sing in the sailboat wires and halyards.  Grocery store is 0.8 miles away and easy walk along sidewalks.  The heavy rains have helped wash off industrial grim.  But I still needed to wash the outside.  Several hours of sun today, then darkening clouds as the next disturbance comes rolling in with wind, lightening and rain.

Very friendly business

Excellent signage along bike trails

11 August.  We met a couple who have purchased a 40 foot carver and are outfitting and preparing to begin their great loop in early September, 2021.  The were headed to Walmart and Kim hitched a ride.  I remained behind as it was cloudy and the boat was dry.  Time for cleaning and waxing the pilot house roof and the front and sides of the boat.  About noon the sun came out followed by nearly gale force winds.  Even at the end of White Lake there were 1+ footers and white caps at the fuel dock.  Double checked Serenity's lines and fenders.  Occasional showers which curtailed the waxing.  Fortunately, the waterspouts, tornados and large hail veered north of us.  But around 1800, it rained hard and we had small pea size hail.  Hail did not last long, but the rain continued for several hours.

Sculptures along trail to grocery store

Gigantic windvane in Montague, MI

12 August.  Marina life is wearing our patience down.  Great place and we are so thankful to be safely secured were we are vice battling the elements at anchor, but we are supposed to be traveling.  We are in a great location for walking.  Excellent trails and most streets have good sidewalks.  We clean the inside of Serenity and do laundry this afternoon.  Lake Michigan remains too rough; 2-4 footers today with an approaching cold front later this afternoon.  More storms and rain.  Tomorrow's forecast is promising, but the wind does shift to the North after the cold front passage later today.  How quick will the winds diminish and the waves lay down remains the big question for tomorrow.  We will untie the lines and get underway in the morning.  We will head west toward Lake Michigan, then head SE down the coast or if the lake remains rough, anchor for a while.