We have now added "wave height" to the list of items we check regularly before deciding on travel. It is true that Lake Michigan (and all the great lakes) need to be respected, as much as any ocean. The winds have been quite strong and depending on the direction, can make for surfable waves. We have stayed extra days in some places and left early from others. We have learned our tolerance (and Kyra's) for "turbulence" on the water and know Emilie B can stand much more than we can. While we loved being in Canada, our expectations of this part of the trip have been exceeded too! It is difficult to capture the clarity and color of the water and the spectacular sunsets from the east shore. We are now traveling down the west shore (WI side) of Lake Michigan, making our way to Chicago. Hard to believe that September is right around the corner.
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| We probably maxed out at 10 kts crossing the lake, not sure how Nebo is tracking speed, but the rest of the stats are accurate. We waited out weather in Mackinaw City for 3 days, left Elk Rapids early to get to Leland where we stayed for 3 days waiting for very strong winds to subside. Made a long run to Manistee to take advantage of a beautiful day to cross to WI. We stayed 3 days in Manitowoc and now have another good day for our trip to Port Washington. |
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| Sunrise in Mackinaw City - early start for the calmest winds |
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| We're getting spray over the bow as we cross into Lake Michigan (under the Mackinac Bridge) |
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| Sunrise behind us, leaving Lake Huron |
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| Charlevoix was a great stop, famous for their Mushroom Houses, but I liked the art and flowers |
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| Charlevoix is a very picturesque summer community |
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| Beautiful travel day to Elk Rapids, where we are attending the Great Lakes American Tug Rendezvous |
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| Sunset across East Arm Grand Traverse Bay |
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| Emilie B looking spiffy for the AT Rendezvous |
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| There were 9 tugs and about 30 people at the rendezvous - we made lots of good contacts and had fun touring 3 wineries in the Old Mission area of MI. |
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| Shoreline changed as we headed south to Leland, saw lots of stairways to the water |
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| Secure in Leland for 3 days of wind |
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| Sunset across the lake |
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| Beach in Leland - surfers were out later in the day |
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| Leland Harbor (Emilie B on the left) - milky color from the wind churning up the water |
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| Departure from Leland while the full moon was still visible |
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| Heading into Manistee |
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| More stairs to the water |
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| On the Manistee River |
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| Another early departure to make our way over to WI |
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| Sunrise behind us as we leave Manistee |
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| This was our location when I took the video below. I was actually standing on the very top of Emilie B - it was that calm! Many other boaters taking advantage of a good day to cross the lake. |
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| Kyra enjoying solid footing in Wisconsin |
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| WI Maritime Museum and the WWII sub Cobra - another great museum |
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| Sunset over Manitowoc, WI |
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| This morning - heading back out into Lake Michigan |
With days to walk around these lakeside communities, I'm always taking pictures of gardens and art. These are from the past week. I'm missing my gardens but have lots of new inspiration.
