ssloop: Grand Haven-Chicago

Here we go again! After enduring the winter last year without a boat in Florida, we decided that should not happen again this year.

We have to say, we did make good use of the time the Pura Vida was in winter storage in Michigan . We made quite a few improvements and enhancements that make her better than ever.

Friday, September 23 was go day! We left our slip at Keenan Marina, and topped off our fuel tanks by 11am, cruised out the Grand Haven channel and yes, once again, turned left. Our planned destination for the day was New Buffalo, Michigan with the intention of crossing Lake Michigan on Saturday. As we traveled down the shoreline nearing Holland, we were as always checking the wind and wave forecast. Saturday’s weather was not looking as good as it had earlier, so after a crew meeting we reset our destination on our chart plotter to Hammond, Indiana. With 96 miles to travel in 6 hours of daylight, the throttles were pushed far forward. Full speed ahead! It was a cool day, but the lake was very calm all the way. Although we never, never, never anchor out overnight on Lake Michigan, we dropped the hook in Lake Michigan just north of Hammond Marina in a well protected cove in front of Beer Can Beach. The winds were out of the south so being on the south end of Lake Michigan the waters, were calm.

Saturday morning we were moved and waiting at the Hammond Marina fuel dock before they opened. We topped of our tanks again and cruised 3 miles north to the entrance of the Calumet/Cal-Sag canal.

Next up, the rivers!