Crossing Lake Michigan

Saturday, August 15

Lake Michigan is a beautiful place. So far we have encountered three types of seas on the lake. From Mackinac Island to Harbor Springs, the waves were 5 - 7 feet, and it was a rough and uncomfortable trip. Two days later when we traveled to Charlevoix, the seas were only 1 - 2 feet and it was a fine trip. It was the same to Leland. Today we are making the crossing of Lake Michigan from Leland to Washington Island, Wisconsin. The water is like glass and there’s no wind at all. We’ve traveled through fog all morning, but the radar and depth finder keep us safe. There are 653 feet of water under us. It’s been a gentle trip and should take about seven hours.

The Nordic Tug has no problem with any of these waves; she’s a very sturdy boat with a heavy lead keel. Pearl enjoys dancing through the waves and the autopilot keeps her on a steady course.

Most Loopers stay on the Michigan side of Lake Michigan, but we are going to Wisconsin to meet up with some friends. Brian is looking forward to a Green Bay Packers pre-season football game and we get to visit Milwaukee, the city where he was born. Brian’s favorite bratwurst, Usinger’s, is made there, too. When we worked on Capitol Hill, we both worked for Congressman Henry Reuss from Milwaukee.

All in all, the bugs haven’t been too bad, except for the mayfly hatch, the mosquito night, and some big horseflies. As we approach Wisconsin, however, a horde of little flies have joined us, and they bite. We may have to become extremely diligent if they are a problem here. Every night Brian goes outside and does battle with the spiders. Otherwise they make webs and leave droppings and tiny dead bugs all over the boat in the morning.