7.13

heading to Sturgeon Bay, WI

Up early and on the Lake by 9:30.  Lots of west wind, no motoring today.  Sunny most of the day but still chilly.  Sweaters and hats on.  25 miles, 6 -7 knots on the GPS.  20+ knot winds gusting higher.  The boat kept rounding up into the wind so Jim had to take the wheel and relieve the auto pilot.  Following seas made for a smooth ride.  The heal of the boat was steady over 20 the last hour or so, standing down below felt like being at “Mystery Spot”.  The walls all slanted yet you are upright.   Douse the sails and into the channel.  The mouth of the channel was clearly marked.  Wind on the nose motoring through the cut.  

Before casting off Jim plotted our course on the chart plotter and consulted the chart book to ensure we would stay clear of shallow spots, rocks, etc. As we made our through the channel, Jim noticed over head power lines.  Grab the chart!  I can’t find anything about overhead lines…I convince myself we can't possibly clear them although Jim assured me we had plenty of clearance.  I decided the best approach was to be like an ostrich and bury my head, or at least my eyes in my hands.  Of course Jim was correct, we had plenty of clearance.  Safely through, we pulled into  Skipper Buds for fuel (33 gals diesel) and a pump out.  The young men assisting were helpful and pleasant.  Soon we were on our way again.  3 bridges to pass under. The first opens “on demand” so a  VHF call to the bridge tender and when our approach was close enough he obliged.  The next 2 are on the 1/4 and 1/2 hours  following a call to the tender.  We took a slip at Harbor Marina / Skipper Buds.  Very nice, a band / music across the channel, some lunch and tidying up were in order.  Exploring the area, there is a Maritime Museum here, so another tour tomorrow.  Dinner at Kitty O’ Reilly's Irish Pub.  Great atmosphere.  Big bar stools, 2 foot X 2 foot seats, flowers and greenery with an outside seating area.  3 piece band playing our kind of music, soft rock, and a really nice meal of Irish Pub food.  We stayed for a few hours then headed home.  Boat sweet boat. 

7.14

Trolls.   We are docked nearly under the Michigan Street bridge but it’s pretty quiet.  The cars last night sounded like very distant thunder.  Kind of soothing.  Today and tomorrow the bridge will be closed to auto and foot traffic due to maintenance.  Marine traffic will continue however.  Jim set off to replenish out LP tank on foot.  It is suppose to be only a few blocks from here but carrying an propane tank?… I guess he can count it as his “workout” for the day.  He successfully got the tanks filled and was given a ride back to the boat by an employee… thanks! Arms still in sockets.  We put in a full day.  A short hike up the hill to a meat market stocked us with fresh cuts and an organic / local grown market had a few perishable items so we are good for a few days.  Food stowed and a quick lunch then off to the Maritime Museum and a tour of the tug John Purves.  

The museum was nice.  The tug tour was really interesting.  For a period of 15 years the John Purves was the most powerful tug on the Great Lakes.  It was decommissioned then restored for tours here in Sturgeon Bay.  It took 18 full time volunteers 5 years.  The cold front we have been hearing about is flirting around us.  When stopped by the Coast Guard a few days back one of the officers told me there was going to be a “polar vortex” coming through Monday - Tuesday.  

So far (yeah) we have pretty much evaded the rain while underway except for a few quick spurts.  It is cozy down below, even more so with dinner cooking.  Chicken, jicama and zucchini.  

7.12 Kewaunee WI

7.12

Kewaunee WI  

We toured the Maritime Museum and the Submarine SS Cobia.  Highly recommend visit to it.  Very well done.  The tour guide was very informative and well versed.  Many war time subs and sea vessels were made here during and after the war, WWII.  The SS Cobia was built on the east coast but 28  subs like it were built here.  We spent over 2 hours there and could have seen a bit more but we needed to hit the Lake. 




We set off just as the fog started rolling in shortly after noon.  It cleared briefly for 30 -45 minutes giving a brief window of low visibility then closed in around us for the remained of the trip.  25 miles.  Fog horn tooting every 2 minutes, radar checks every 5.   AIS at varying intervals.  We had to motor all the way.  No wind.  









The approach to Kewaunee was nerve racking.  1,000 feet off shore and the pier head, still nothing in sight.  It’s hard to believe that  even with wind there is still fog on the lakes this year.  We could hear the fog horn from the light house which is off shore and the music along the channel from the Trout Festival that’s going on here.   Temps still pretty chilly.  Hot tea to keep us warm.  the marina is pretty small but adequate.  We are 1 of 2 sail boats both transients.  They are a fishing community.  We are currently fogged in with rain expected throughout the night. I took the opportunity to make a nice home cooked dinner.  Steak, fried potatoes with onion, red peppers and corn, and Bob’s mom’s perrogies.  The heat from the cooking warmed the cabin nicely.  Dishes done and getting tucked in to bed early.  

the "Badger" car / people ferry
getting ready to cross the Lake to Ludington MI

  

Sheboygan - Manitowoc

7.09 

Sheboygan  WI    

At least our docking skills keep us in the harbor ...

Warm fuzzies…

The passage was very chilly.  Sweaters on the whole way.  We motor sailed for a couple of hours, then flew the new spinnaker for a couple of hours.  Motored the the last leg, 10 + miles.  Flies continued to build all day, the chilly temps kept them at bay for the most part.  We secured the lines and quick hopped to the next finger pier to help another couple, Larry and Kelly.  They are on a Passport 40 (1983 / S.V. Escape)) also. We agreed to meet up later, swap stories and get / give each other tours of our boats.  Passport sailboats are made in Taiwan but they designed by an American, Bob Perry.  They are crafted with lots of lovely wood below, rare to find on the newer manufactured boats.  

We cleaned up, hosed the boat (flies!) and set off for town.  The community here is great.  You can easily walk to town by road or the board walk.  There was not a person who did not greet us!  Hi, hello, have a nice day…  We wandered about, it was already going on 7pm.  Lots of really interesting restaurants and shops.  We decide to go to GM’s… our marina welcome packet included flyers from many local establishments.  Gm’s offered free happy hour appetizers and 2 for 1 drinks… no brainer!  It is a real saloon type establishment.  Very reminiscent of the Sand Bar in Saugatuck.  The bar tender, J.P., was super friendly, and honored our 2 for 1 drink coupon… as it turns out, apparently everybody gets 2 for 1… happy day!  Our drink of choice tonight was Jameson neat… 2 healthy pours each, chicken wings and all the popcorn you could shovel in and I had a warm fuzzy for the rest of the evening. We settled up the bill… always an anxious time when it comes to Jameson tabs… the bartender say’s “ that’ll be 8 bucks…. whaaaaa ? !!! happy day again…

Heading back we pass a woo fired pizza place… smells good, looks good… eat it (aka Andrew Zimmerin / Travel Channel)… More adult beverages and a fantastic pizza: we were totally stuffed… Jim was very accommodating to his slightly inebriated wife.   Held my hand all the way back and tucked me in… J.P. at GM;s said come back Thursday… he makes his famous Sloppy Joes… I have to find another coupon for drinks :)

7.10

Comercial fishing boats on the harbor wall

morning was cool, pleasant and sunny.  Fog along the lake shore.  Seagulls everywhere making their presents known.  A huge flock of white pelicans live here…only in the summers though.  We were getting ready to head to town  to explore when we saw that Larry and Kelly (the Passport sailboat) next to us were up and about.  We toured each others boats and compared notes.  They are in love with their boat as much as we are with ours and find it has the qualities we were both looking for for off shore sailing and comfort.  They were heading north with another couple hoping to make the North Channel this summer.  Unfortunately they couldn't start their engine! Jim went over to help and after some trouble shooting they discovered water in the engine, Yikes!…. It seems the engine syphoned some water after shutting down.  good news, their mechanic is only a few towns south of here, bad news delay in departure.  The diagnose was correct and the mechanic was able to fix the problem.  We took off to town and had a nice tour.  what a lovely place.  We walked around town some more. I highly recommend a stop here if you are in the area.  Town is clean, people could’t be friendlier.  We met another couple on a sailboat across the dock, Larry and Jolene.  They offered their car so we could get a few groceries.  We are now well provisioned.  We invited Jo and Larry for dinner to thank them for the car.  Great visit.  both retired, living here on the boat in the summer and winters in Iowa… They have a lovely Bayfield 40 / (SV.Samaria).  Wood interior, great layout, very comfortable.  We walked to town for a night cap to meet with the other 2 couples traveling north.  We are keeping quite late nights lately.  I think we will adjust quite well to retirement!  

7.11

We saw Larry, Kelly, Jerry and Joan off this morning, then had a nice chat with the Larry and Jolene before we headed out.  Long pants, sweaters, hats, even a blanket.  Typical July weather … for Alaska maybe.  

20 miles 3.5  hours later we are in Manitowoc, WI.  Sailed all the way at average of 6 knots.  At least the flies did’t come aboard.  The Coast Guard however did.  We were in the breakwater heading to the marina in Manitowoc.  They were doing vessel checks on boats. First question, “do you have weapons on board?”  No, we don’t.  Somewhat intimidating but they were very courteous and professional.  I circled the inner harbor with the Coast Guard boat following closely while 2 crew members boarded, 1 went went below with Jim, the other stayed in the cock pit with.  Divide and conquer?  They requested to see documents, flares, safety equipment, etc.  Bilge check, proper signage for waste water, a few questions and we were given an all clear, no citations… 

Manitowoc 

Wind is just a howling in the harbor, 20 knots on the Lake.  Temps say 73 but I guess that is in the office at someones desk where they send info out by wifi.  So, we are having a hot beverages… warms the sole and the tummy.  Dinner in town.  Should have eaten on the boat.  We did not find this stop as friendly or tasty as Sheboygan.  We will tour the Maritime museum today and the submarine USS Cobia.  28 subs like it where built here during WWII.  Then off in the rain / fog to Kewaunee, 25 miles north.   

Shore leave : Winthrop Harbor - Minneapolis

7.02 - 7.06

Shore leave

Wednesday was spend in harbor, on boat.  Rain, cloudy, blowing winds and more rain.  we forced ourselves out and off for an hour with cloudy skies and mist. we had to stretch the long muscles and do something.  we walked the perimeter of the marina, 1 mile then back.  dinner of left-overs and early to bed.  Thursday off to Minneapolis!

Brother Richard, mom Nee, Marianne, niece Bridget and friend Taylor as well as Jim and I wedged ourselves in a mini van and set off for Minneapolis in the morning, bound for Alex, Nicki and Miss Nora Jean's for the weekend.  Surprisingly it was quite comfortable even with the 7 of us, our gear, food and snacks.  ETA 6 hours… what a great holiday we had.  Nicki and Alex could not have been better hosts.  This was their first family gathering in their new home with their new family. We had great food, lots of laughs and stories, Cricket Man threatened an appearance but was fended off with the arrival of ice-cream and root-beer floats. 



 A trip to Minihaha Falls, some to the Mall of America and a BBQ rounded out the festivities.   Garret and Minsook flew in from Oklahoma for the reunion, on leave from the Army.  Jim, Peg, Tom and Katrina joined us as well as Sue, Beth, Andy and neighbors Ryan and family. Paul freshly back from the east coast hurricane evacuation paid a quick visit as well.  Miss Nora got to visit with her great grandma Jean, 4 generations together.  The only down side was the return trip.  sad to leave the family followed by stop and go traffic throughout Wisconsin.  8 hours later… Laundry and a light dinner.  sunset over the marina lovely but not as impressive as home where we have no land to obstruct  the view.  

Tomorrow off to Milwaukee and Cannoli’s!  

7.07

Milwaukee WI

We motored out of North Point Marina and continued to do so till Milwaukee.  No wind to be found until we made the final waypoint turn 3 miles off Milwaukee.  the decision was made to keep the sails tucked away.  At lot of work for barely an hour of sailing.  The flies of the grinder variety choose to accompanied us all the way however.   By grinders, I mean the kind that Great Lakes boaters are quite familiar with.  They descend on slow moving boats by the hundreds.  they crawl all over you.  They do not seem to care if you kill them.  they do not fly off.  they are easily killed with just your hand because.  We employ a grinding motion to ensure death.  Landfall deters most of the remaining ones at least and back to sea they go.   

Docking was difficult because the wind that eluded us all day descended off the bank above the harbor blowing easterly and pushing the boat off the dock.  Slip mates came to the rescue and helped secure lines.   Jim hosed the boat off to remove the fly carcasses and the crew enjoyed refreshing showers.  Today was the first day of the trip it was hot enough to wear swim suits though.  Dinner on Brady Street at a Thai restaurant.  Tasty but too filling.  Great service.  A quick stop at for milk and back to the boat.  

7.08

Aniversaries

Today we have owned S.V. Inishnee 5 years.  Today Jim and I have been Married 20.  Happy on both accounts.  

We woke to a lovely morning.  Ate, showered and off for a shore excursion.  First up, the Public Library, 2+ miles away.  We walked along the waterfront to Wisconsin Ave. and the Art Musuem.   the Art Museum structure has wing like appendages that actually fold open during hours of operation weather / wind permitting.  they close and reopen at noon as well.  The waterfront here is wonderful.  Walking, jogging and biking paths go for miles.  Public parks and recreation too. 
Mission 1: Public Library.  We were able to download the Garmin software update for our AIS unit.  It indeed fixed the problem.  The AIS and Garmin Chart Plotter weren't “talking” to each other so we were not able to see other AIS ships on  the plotter, only the Ipad unit and the Nav Station unit.  All fixed.  Now the cockpit units are functioning and talking. A quick lunch on the river walk then Mission 2: Cannoli’s… one each for now, one each for later… yum! One of my favorite shows was ‘everybody loves Raymond’.  Marie was always making cannolis for Raymond… I decided I had to see what the fuss was.  My first cannoli was here in Milwaukee years ago.  They are worth the fuss.  A crunchy conical shaped cookie like vessel, that you can get dipped in chocolate! and then filled with a mascarpone chocolate chip filling that is lightly sweetened…. kind of rich but so tasty.  
Mission 3, Anniversary dinner. We returned to the boat after the 4ish hour walking excursion, cleaned up and off to the ‘Garage’ for dinner.  Nothing fancy, just good food.  Smoky veggie hoggie for Jim,  Burger with caramelized onions and swiss for me.  A few adult beverages then back to the boat for a night cap.  the temps today were very pleasing.  A good breeze with mostly sunny skies.  evening brought on cumulus clouds in varying shades of auburn and blues.  We tidied things up for departure in the morning.  Destination: Sheboygan, WI.  

Chicago to Winthrop Harbor

6.29 

Parades and Storms  

Sunday we went to the Chicago Gay Pride Parade. What an eye opener.  I can't say I enjoyed the parade all that much, so many people you couldn't see and floats etc... however the attendees were flaming fantastic!  Most dressed in some form of rainbow attire.  Some, next to nothing attire.  The most interesting, in my opinion, were the girls who used two, 2 inch sections of electrical tape in the shape of an “ X “ to cover their nipples and something on their bottoms.  Many had statements marked on their tummies professing something. Fishnet clothing for very part of your body in every color you can imagine.  Yang went with. She said the news report estimated more than a million people attended.  wow.  It was really interesting and everyone was having fun, not a drunken debacle that some of these events turn out to be.  maybe we left to soon... or     just in time 

We returned to the boat and made homemade pizza with various toppings and Jim grilled them on our new infrared grill.  We bought a Solaire Infrared Grill just before leaving for the trip.  It has been working really well.  We are still in the learning curve stage for using it because...  cooks at a much higher temp.  Low burner seems best and the food has a fantastic flavor.    Experiments have included steak, veggies, fish, chicken and pizza.  

6.30   

last night we needed to charge the batteries because we have been on a mooring ball since arriving 4 days ago.  the alternator wouldn't work which meant cut / conserve electronic use immediately… Sunday morning Jim was at the manuals trouble shooting and isolated the problem to the new voltage regulator.  A call to the manufacturer and a resetting of the programing and we were up and charging… yeah!  we charged the batteries for a couple hours then off to site see and some Chicago Dogs.  We asked around and decided to go with the recommendation of Max’s … the dogs were quite good. We walked around and ended up at the Planetarium.  It's a lot farther than it looks from the Monroe Harbor / Chicago Yacht Club water front.  We ( I ) decided we should return via the city bus.  air-conditioning!  we returned to the boat because the weather report issued threatening weather in the approaching storms… estimated wind gusts of 30 - 40… one report said they could gust 70 - 90… hatches secure and cushions stowed we had our Injera bread with a conglomeration of fixing for dinner.  It was fantastic!  Storm #1 came through, highest wind gusts at 39 knots… the clouds after were lovely.  

7.1

we made it through the storms.  The worst was actually after the storms passed.  the winds died down but the harbor was quite confused.  it was a sloppy mess.  we bounced around quite a bit and the mooring ball slapped and ricocheted off the side of the boat throughout the night.  we now know why seasonal boaters have collars of “noodles” wrapped around their balls… the morning revealed  the  damage.  A 5 foot section on each side of the hull is marred from the concussions.  we will have to wait till we get to another venue to check the extent of the damage.  grrrr

the morning is clear so we are off to North Point Marina, Winthrop Harbor, IL.  

7.1 pm

A quick and easy passage.  40 miles.  great south  west winds.  6 hours to our destination, hull speed a steady 7 knots .  It is the largest marina on Lake Michigan, 1477 slips.  Most unfilled.  It took us 1 1/2 hours to actually secure our slip.  it seems most boats come by land (?) because the marina office kept giving us land marks via street names to get here, being put on hold multiple times with someone different on the other end each time… the first few slips were too small, had boats / lines obstructing the slip or there was no room to maneuver… finally in a suitable slip. Jim ran off the the office to take care off paperwork before they closed for the day… a flip flop blowout, a 10 minute jog, a detour to Skipper Buds to get a loaner power cord adaptor (thank you Scott) and we are here for the next week.  We will do a road trip to see our lovely Miss Nora (grandbaby) in Minneapolis for the holiday weekend…

Rich, Mary and Bridget, family, joined us for dinner at the  local restaurant The Tropics. They live about 45 minutes from here.  A nice bottle of wine of the boat after and then to bed…

The next adventure.... circle tour of Lake Michigan

6.25 - 27.14
Saugatuck to Chicago passage

our first "selfie" of the trip...

We left Saugatuck Wednesday night about 9pm bound for Chicago, Monroe Harbor, an over night passage to ensure arriving in the daylight.  The boat was stocked with supplies, more or less, for a five week voyage around Lake Michigan. After several days of fog due to the low Lake temperatures this season we were not sure about heading out but the forecast was for continued fog for the next several days.  So, off we went.  Recently installed AIS, an automated fog horn, a chart plotter and radar were used through out the trip as the fog stayed with us the entire 16 hours of the crossing.  Leaving the channel  proved to be the most challenging part of the venture having to dodge the Star of Saugatuck and a lot of paddle boarders... It was a cold, wet trip sporting our  foulies  (foul weather gear).  We kept watch the entire crossing with a few catnaps on rotation.  We saw nothing but fog and one huge freighter (only seen on AIS and radar about 3am).  At 3 miles off the Chicago coast, around 11 am, we could see nothing of the city.  A few shadowy glimpses but no skyscrapers. Through the break wall and break in the fog, we secured to a morning ball finally able to relaxed and had breakfast... 1 pm local time.  We entertained a visit from cousin James and sister Marianne.  The fog partially lifted during the late afternoon, confirming we were indeed in "the big city"... early to bed and a late to rise gave way to a great day of site seeing.  We took in a Cubby game ( they won!) and had dinner with Yang on her condo roof top, then back to the boat.  The harbor is large and easy to navigate but getting to and from the boat best provided by the Harbor Tender Service for a small fee per  trip.   The tenders are fantastic,  the service efficient and friendly.
6.28.14
Chicago....
sunny and pleasant.  Sky line in clear view.  The day started with a triathlon and swimmers here in the harbor. By the way, we were spectators... but then you probably would have guessed that if you know us.  We took the tender to shore and watched a bit of the women's cycle competition.  Contestants are hoping to qualify for a world something race... then met up withYang (aka Marianne) and walked around a bit.  Returned to her condo to get the car then off for some ethnic adventures in the Indian / Middle Eastern section of town.  Great dinner at a Kabob restaurant, then a stop in a local market where we found Injera bread!!! yeah... tomorrow eat shall sample it with a few other tasty (hopefully) selections.  Evening brought a quick downpour then cleared off for a pleasant return trip to the boat.  We ended with a nightcap and then fireworks off Navy Pier!  Life is good.

Spring 2013

Wow.  It's been a really long time since I did an update.  Our lives have been the busiest either of us can remember...
4 of our children were wed between November 2011 and May 2013!  We can't be happier for them all!
Nearly a complete overhaul of Inishnee.  Jim is learning so much about the boat, getting up close and personal with all the fixin' and rearranging of Inishnee.   By June 2013 she should be afloat with a new bottom, new electronics and electrical system.  Plenty of upgrades for various interior and exterior parts.  New sails, the jib "blew out" last July durning a storm.  And finally, new canvas all around.  We are looking forward to a leisurely sailing season this summer.  No big trips, maybe a long weekend to the windy city, Chicago. Jim successfully completed captains course lessons and is in the final stages of certification for his Captains License.  Hooray!
We hope you are all well and happy.