 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On to Saugatuck |
|
|
|
We left South Haven the next day and headed to Saugatuck where we planned to spend two days. The wind was light and out of the south so once again we found ourselves motor sailing. The marinas in Saugatuck do take reservations and we managed to reserve a slip at Tower Marine on the Douglas side of Lake Kalamazoo. As we approached the Kalamazoo River we heard a vessel requesting Coast Guard assistance after an electrical fire. We were close to the boat's position so we contacted them and remained along side them until the Coast Guard arrived. The run up the Kalamazoo River was the true highlight of the trip. The scenery and homes are stunning. |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Anchorage just after entering the river |
|
Kalamazoo River traffic |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Kalamazoo River just entering Saugatuck |
|
SS Kewain |
|
|
|
After tying-up at Tower Marine, we walked up the road and took the ferry from the Douglas side to Saugatuck. The ferry is the only operational chain driven ferry in North America. The ferry is hand driven along a chain line across the river. Once over we walked the town and looked at the shops and galleries. While in town we had dinner at the Coral Gables Restaurant along the river before taking the ferry back across. While on the ferry we got dinner recommendations for the following day from the ferryman. James and Lida the next day took a hike and then went shopping for art while we did some chores on the boat and then visited the SS Kewain. The ship run form 1904 until the 1960's between Toronto and Thunder Bay. They offer two tours and we elected to do the longer of the two. While expensive, we go an opportunity to view the entire ship and were on board for over 11/2 hours. The ship is well worth the price of admission and represents the last of her kind on the lake. Back at the boat we met James and Lida and went to the Blue Moon in Douglas for the best meal that I have had in a long time. This is clearly a restaurant not to be missed.
After our two day stay in Saugatuck we did the short hop up to Lake Macatawa and tied up at Eldean Shipyard. This was James and Lida's last day aboard since they had to fly out of O'Hare the next evening. After tying-up we took a cab to downtown Holland and managed to arrive during a three-day sidewalk sale. We spent a quiet afternoon browsing and stopped for a beer at the Holland Brew Pub before returning for a nice meal at the Piper Restaurant at the marina. The next morning we were up early to get James and Lida to the Amtrak station for the train to Chicago. It was hard to see them leave. They were great sailing companions and the boat seemed empty without them We spent the day quietly on the boat doing routine maintenance and reading. Dinner was at the Lake Macatawa Bay Yacht Club.
We had planned to go on the next morning to Grand Haven, but when we called slip availability was going to be tight and the weather forecast for later in the week was looking threatening, so we elected to go back to South Haven. As happened the whole trip winds were light and in our face so we motor-sailed the entire way. We spent an additional two nights in South Haven exploring the town and had two nice dinners at Chop House 403 and the Harborside Bistro. Monday night's forecast was for northeast winds strating Tuesday afternoon and building Wednesday to 25 knots with 6-9 foot waves Wednesday with the waves staying large until Friday night. After much discussion, we decided to cross the lake Tuesday ahead of the front to our home port Waukegan.. We got underway at 7:30 EDT and motored home. The day was hazy and visibility was such that we lost sight of land within 45 minutes of leaving and did not again see land until about 45 minutes of arrival. We made great time and were tied up by 18:00 CDT finishing a great cruise. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
"Big Red" Holland Light |
|
|
|
|
First Look at Eldeans Shipyard |
|
|
|
|
Home
Pictures |
|