Bright Lights, Small Cities

Friday & Saturday, August 15 & 16, 2014

Leaving Whitehall just at sunrise we were taken with the beauty of the fog forming over the lake and the sun burning through some clouds at the horizon. We noticed the research vessel Steelhead parked next to the houseboat at the end of the dock. We had been visiting with one of the Dept. of Natural Resources crew the night before and he explained that they went out every night to the middle of the lake to measure the numbers of alewife, a non native species, and also steelhead trout which have been introduced to keep the invasive alewife in check. That way they know how many steelhead to release from the fish hatcheries each year. We saw them leave at sunset and now could see that they were back from their night's work.

Early departure from Whitehall, MI
 

We made our way back through White Lake and out into Lake Michigan. By the time we got across the lake the sun was shining on the western shore.

Cluster of boathouses on White Lake in the morning sun
 

As we traveled along the east coast of Lake Michigan we could see more high sand dunes along the way. Dotted along the top were many homes. I didn't get a photo because it had become hazy and we were about a mile to a mile and a half out. Most of the houses had a steep set of stairs going down to the waterfront and we hoped they had an erosion control program going as well.
After a short morning of cruising we entered into the channel at Muskegon and passed the Submarine Museum which we would visit later in the day.

Submarine Museum along the channel featuring the USS Silversides
 



The Silversides was a loooong submarine!
 

We were followed into the channel by the Lake Express Ferry, a large high speed catamaran, that provides service between Muskegon and Milwaukee, WI.

Lake Express Ferry
 

Concrete dock at Harbour Towne in Muskegon 10-12 inches thick
 

We stayed at the Harbour Towne Marina and for the second time we were tied up to concrete docks. We don't know if they were solid concrete but they shook a little when we walked on them.
On Saturday we took a bike ride and were glad that the path went right by the Torreson's Marine supply where John bought a few things. He was hoping that they would have charts for the river system, but he has had to order them from the Army Corps of Engineers.
On the way back we rode along the beach and fog was rolling in off the lake. We stopped so I could take a walk along the shoreline. It was early so there were not many people but crews of volunteers in yellow tee shirts were combing the beach and picking up any litter. It was a really beautifully kept beach.

Emerging from the fog along Muskegon Beach at Lake Michigan
 

 Captain’s Log: August 15, 2014

Departed: Whitehall, MI 6:50 a.m.
Engine hours: 2.9 hr. – 17.67 nautical miles
Actual hours: 2 hr.  40 min
Arrived: Muskegon, MI Harbor Towne Marina 9:30 p.m.
Wx: early shove-off – attempted to avoid 2-3’ waves. Wind SW @ 10 1-2’with occasional 3’. Tacked several times and ran at 2300 turns (8.3 kt.) to smooth things out – not bad

Note: Received results of oil analysis - both engines are doing great! Will go 130 hours before next change (happy engines mean a happy captain).

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Our next stop was Grand Haven, Michigan on the Grand River which goes all the way up to Grand Rapids. We stayed at the municipal docks which were right on the waterfront walking route with lots of concession stands along the way.

 

Interesting architectural features on the old train station.
 

Grand Haven's claim to fame is their musical lighted fountain which has been putting on it's show at dusk for 50 years. They even had bleachers built to view it across the river and these seats are also used for waterfront concerts. The streams of water seemed to dance in time with the music which must have been recorded by local artists - we didn't recognize any of it. The show lasted for about 20 minutes and then it was time for bed.

 

Grand Haven Musical Fountain
 

Captain’s Log: August 17, 2014

Departed: Muskegon, MI 8:30 a.m.
Engine hours: 2.5
Actual hours: 2 hrs. 20 min.  
Nautical miles covered: 13.84
Arrived: Grand Harbor, MI 10:50 a.m.
Wx: Waves 1-2 feet, NE wind 5-10 kt. Overall speed was 5.8 kt. Vice a normal 6.3 – suspect a lake current exists today.

Monday & Tuesday, August 18, 2014

As we departed from Grand Haven we had to capture the lighthouse at the end of the breakwater. We had noticed coming in that the foundation of the building was built to look like a boat with a pointed prow and porthole windows. We later found out that this was a deliberate design to protect structure, which also houses a foghorn, from the onslaught of waves from Lake Michigan and from the ice in the winter.

 

Grand Haven lighthouse
 

Our next destination was Holland, MI where we stopped for the night in Lake Macatawa at Eldean Shipyard. This is a large marina and was pretty isolated from any points of interest. They did have a pool and Jacuzzi so we had to try that out. It was the wrong time of year to enjoy the city of Holland's annual tulip festival - we will have to come back some spring.



Another dentist's boat name. Those are teeth on the right!
 

 Captain’s Log: August 18, 2014

Departed: Grand Haven 8:25
Engine hours: 3.2 hrs.
Actual hours: 3 hrs.  5 min.
Nautical miles covered: 19.36
Arrived: Holland, MI Eldean Shipyard
Wx: Overcast 10 – 15 miles Visibility, east wind at 5-10 kt. Waves 1’ or so, comfortable.

Tuesday, August 19

The weather forecast for the next day wasn't very good and sure enough a thunderstorm came through in the early morning. This was accompanied by very strong winds and we had to scramble to make sure the lines were tight enough to keep Serenity from hitting the pilings. The wind whipped up the water and we were really rolling from side to side. Add to this an 18 to 20 inch gap to get off the boat so we weren't looking forward to spending the day there. The sun came out and after much discussion we decided to move across the lake to a different marina which would be more sheltered.

 

John getting wet while tightening the lines
 

We looked at the radar and it appeared we would have enough time to get across before the next bunch of storms would hit.  So we gave ourselves the green light and went for it.  The skies darkened, wind came up and we could hear thunder. The adrenalin was flowing and then we realized that the distance was a little farther than we had originally thought. All's well that ends well but it was a little tight. We ended up getting tied up just as the heavy rain started.  But at least we weren't rocking and rolling and it was much more comfortable getting on and off the boat. 

When we went to the laundry area to dry all our wet clothes and towels we ran into a couple from Jim-Kat that we had met in St. Ignace - so good to see familiar faces! We have met so many interesting and friendly boaters along the way.

Captain’s Log: August 19, 2014

Departed: Eldean Shipyard 11:30 a.m.
Engine hours: .7 hrs.
Actual hours: 30 min.
Nautical miles covered: 1.9
Arrived: Holland, MI Anchorage Marina
Wx: Due to lots of Rolling @ Eldene Shipyard we moved to North Shore of Lake Macatawa – however, thunder storms were approaching and we got tied up just before they hit. Strong south wind 15-20 while docking – much more comfortable at this marina.