SAUGATUCK to SOUTH HAVEN to NEW BUFFALO and CHICAGO

We departed SAUGATUCK at about 10 am on Friday morning. The trip to SOUTH HAVEN took about 3 hours. We had pretty good weather compared to the last few days!

Our stop in SOUTH HAVEN was nice, but we were very anxious about our planned journey to CHICAGO the next morning. The highlight of SOUTH HAVEN was enjoying a Chicago Dog in anticipation of actually arriving in CHICAGO :)

After watching the weather reports, Saturday clearly looked like the best day to cross Lake Michigan. We departed before sunrise and started our planned course. After about an hour out into the Lake we both decided it was best to alter our course and head to NEW BUFFALO. The waves and wind were much more than predicted! No worries, there is always tomorrow...

The waves on the Fresh Coast are predicted as 1's and 2's, 2's and 3's or 6's and 8's out there! The waves on the West Coast are predicted as 1 to 2 feet, 2 to 4 feet or 6 to 8 feet. It is all the same meaning, just a little nuance in terminology.

With Thistle docked in NEW BUFFALO, we explored the town by bike. Then enjoyed dinner at the recommended Stray Dog Bar & Grill. The best find in NEW BUFFALO was Barney's Market.

Looper Tip: A great place to provision, they have a good selection of everything.

Again with lots of anticipation... we had a pretty good nights sleep and set our alarm for 6:30 am!

Sunday morning slightly after sunrise... it finally looks like the day to make "The Lake Michigan Crossing" to CHICAGO! We were very happy to see a fellow Looper crossing with us (Thanks, Lab Partners). The trip took about 6 hours.

We smiled at the CHICAGO skyline ... with unexpected weather the last couple of weeks, it has taken us longer to arrrive here than originally expected? But we are safe and happy:) 

In SOUTH HAVEN we docked at the Southside Municipal Marina.

A great Chicago dog at Chomp. (We must be getting close.)

A nice U.S. Life Saving tribute at the Maritime Museum.

The draw bridge was lined with bright red flowers :) 

The Pinta & Nina replicas visiting SOUTH HAVEN.

Friday night dinner and a colorful sunset at the local American Legion.

Out on Lake Michigan before sunrise.

The green line was our planned course to CHICAGO.

(After and hour on the Lake?) 

The red line was our altered course to NEW BUFFALO.

(Safety First and Safety last :) 

We made a quick stop to fill our tanks.

We docked at the Oselka Marina in NEW BUFFALO.

Up again before sunrise to cross Lake Michigan.

Our planned course from NEW BUFFALO to CHICAGO!

A few cargo ships...too close for comfort! 

We can see the "Windy City"! 

All Smiles...we are almost to CHICAGO! 

Thistle docked at DuSable Harbor.

Our view from the flydeck...Good night from CHICAGO XO.

HOLLAND to SAUGATUCK

We arrived in SAUGATUCK on Saturday afternoon of Labor Day weekend. (We knew in advance, from weather reports, that we would be spending a few night in whatever port we were in on Saturday night.) By luck the town of SAUGATUCK was a perfect place to be stranded :)

SAUGATUCK is located on the Kalamazoo River. It was originally a lumber and port town. In the late 19th century it became a noted artist colony with a bohemian lifestyle reputation. The town reminds us of Laguna Beach, California in Michigan.

Today SAUGATUCK is known as "The Art Coast" of Michigan. Tourism is it's primary source of revenue, with many speciality shops, art galleries and restaurants. There are only about 1,000 full time residents, but the population swells in the summer months (from Memorial Day to Labor Day).

SAUGATUCK also has a spectacular beach. We were dazzled by the sparkling freshwater and white sand of Oval Beach. The day we visited it was too windy and cold to swim, but we hope to revisit again Someday!

SAUGATUCK has benn honored with many awards:

      "Best Small Town" - USAToday

       Top 25 Beaches in the World - Condé Nast Travler

       Top Freshwater Beach in the USA - National Geographic Travler

       Top 5 Beaches in the USA- MTV

Due to the heavy winds we stayed in SAUGATUCK for six nights, which included all the end off summer Labor Day celebrations.

Looper Tip: In good weather anchor. In inclement weather, we recommend Singapore Yacht Club.

Weather permitting, we plan to depart on Friday morning.

SAUGATUCK, Michigan:)

The beautiful homes and yachts on the Kalamazoo River.

We anchored the first night.

We used our dingy for the first time in 2017...the fully charged electric engine worked great!

On the second night in SAUGATUCK we moved to a dock at the Singapore Yacht Club. Our bikes ready to explore the town.

We rode bikes to the Red Dock on Sunday afternoon to hear a Blue Grass Band....this place is oozing with character!

And the Small Craft Advisory continues....

Interesting history of Singapore, Michigan.

The town of SAUGATUCK is charming. One of our favorite shops had pumpkins made from propane canisters.

Labor Day 2017 in SAUGATUCK.

We took the local transit bus to Oval Beach, with our bikes on the front bus rack.

Oval Beach :) 

Beautiful Oval Beach.

SAUGATUCK celebrates the end of summer in style. 

Lots of great restaurants... difficult to select a favorite?

( Maybe the Perch at Phil's:) 

Eskimo Pie... Please!

Good night SAUGATUCK XO

THISTLE

If you were wondering....Yes, we made it safely to Saugatuck, Michigan:)

And, we are still here! The wind has been out of the west at 10-20 knots with daily thunderstorms, not the best boating weather? All we can do is wait for a good weather window to continue down Lake Michigan. (Saugatuck is a nice town to be stranded in....once we depart, more about the town on our next post.)

Saturday departure looks good for now. Light east winds are in forecast. East winds are offshore winds, and will make for smooth seas and smooth sailing!

Since some of you are new travelers following our blog, we thought it would be nice to share some pictures of THISTLE.

With the dream of doing The Great American Loop, we purchased THISTLE on the east coast in the Fall of 2013.  We contemplated changing her name, but have heard rumors of bad luck with a name change and we liked the name "THISTLE".

A year later we found out from Greg's Uncle that THISTLE was his (Greg's) great grandmother's maiden name. We are happy we kept her named THISTLE, and we have been very happy "Loopers" since her purchase.

 All Aboard !!!

The weather report!

THISTLE is a 40 foot Marine Sedan Trawler new in 2006. With an overall Length of 42'6", Beam of 13'1", Draft of 4'6" and Displacement of 23,000 lbs. She is powered by a single 370HP Yanmar Diesel engine. At wide open throttle she can reach 13 knots, but we typically cruise at 8 knots.

 

Our Boat Card (we exchange with fellow Loopers), Registration and our Daily Log book.

The Saloon.

Downstairs Helm (starboard), Dining Area (port) and Couch (starboard).

Galley (port), Refrigerator/Freezer (starboard), NESW coffee table and special THISTLE pillow.

Stern swim step, swim ladder and dinghy on the flybridge.

Main stateroom with a centerline Queen berth.

Vanity and two closets (his & hers).

Guest room with bunk beds (port), Head (starboard) and Anchor (bow). 

Thruster controls, Air Conditioning controls, DC panel and AC panel.

Engine Room.

Helm on the flybridge (we use this helm 99% of the time).

 Covered walkway, steps to the flybridge and one of six thru hull cleats.

Flybridge, mast (used to hoist our dinghy into the water) and horn.

Our reference books and mandatory daily gear: hand held emergency radio, binoculars, knife, sunglasses, sunscreen and iPad for navigation.

Our favorite spot on THISTLE, aft seating area:)

Flying our American Great Loop Cruisers Association burgee.