America's Great Loop on Emilie B

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. 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 are enjoying the slower pace of this part of our trip. We have plenty of time to make our way south on Lake Michigan, thinking we'll get back on the rivers south of Chicago after Labor Day. With that said, it is hard to believe we have been onboard for 85 days, travelled 1700+ miles, and transited 116 locks.  We are currently in Mackinaw City, enjoying 3 days in the marina as we wait for a better weather window to head south on Lake Michigan (which will be our 4th Great Lake). Our route leaving the North Channel and Canada We spent 2 nights at this beautiful spot on Croker Island Hiking on Croker Island - Emilie B in the background Blueberry season  Kyra's second dinghy ride Kyra rode to this beach twice On the prowl Enjoying sunset Heading into a small but well marked channel Another beautiful spot - Long Point Cove Morning light as we head out of the North Channel Hilton Beach, ON Kyra questioning our route Keeping watch On the way to Sault Ste Marie - parking your work v...