Crossing Lake Michigan to Ludington

The plan was for Tom and Jim to attend the Packer game on Sunday, Sept. 9th, and to leave for Sturgeon Bay on the 10th.  However, the wind/wave reports for crossing Lake Michigan were only predicting reasonable forecasts through Monday mid-day.  So Tom sacrificed the game and we headed to Sturgeon Bay on Sunday. We stayed the night and fueled at Quarterdeck Marina and left for Ludington, MI at first light Monday.  The mist was thick as we headed down the channel, but it lifted when we reached the lake.

Lighthouse on breakwater at Sturgeon Bay

Misty early morning start from Sturgeon Bay

The waves were one footers as we left, but built to threes as we approached Ludington.  Since the predictions were for increased winds and waves later in the day, we chose to run the passage and arrived in Ludington (80+ miles) around noon.  We first saw land, the Manitou's, about 25 miles from shore.  Seeing  Big Point Sable lighthouse as we appoached was a thrill.  Coming into the Ludington Channel, we passed by the Ludington lighthouse and made our way to the public marina.

Passing the Ludington lighthouse as we entered calm waters behind the breakwater.

The public marina has older, very high docks, but we used our upper deck entrance and had no problem.  The marina is within a few blocks of downtown (with a great market) and the Badger dock.  Next door is a sculpture park telling the history of the area.  (Click on photos to enlarge)

Men of the sea

Sailing

Children at play

Fishing through the generations

Fruit harvest

Steam ships

Lumbering with the big wheel--an
invention that allowed the industry
to thrive year round.

Later Monday, a large trawler, Sea Hunt IV,  pulled in to the marina. When they saw our loop flag, they came over to introduce themselves. They too are looping having started in southern Lake Huron mid-July  The Canadian crew consists of Andre and Lisa DuBois, and sons Luc (11) and Pierre (8).  We enjoyed swapping stories and having dinner with them on Wednesday.  They have a five year live-aboard plan that includes going through the Panama Canal and a trip to Alaska.  WOW!

Crew of Sea Hunt IV

The Badger is a coal powered car ferry that runs from Ludington to Manitowoc,WI daily.  From the public marina we can see it leave at 9 a.m. and return at 7 p.m.  Watching it dock, especially in heavy wind, is quite impressive.  Unfortunately, federal regulations ( anti-dumping 2 tons of coal ash in the lake per trip) are shutting it down as of Oct. 13th unless an extension is granted or the funds are found to convert to diesel.  

Badger at dock at night.
(Photo by Missy:)

Badger spinning 180 degrees before dropping anchor and
backing into dock space.

Tom with Luc and Andre watching as the Badger docks.

Missy and Rich Ray arrived Thursday.  Richard's Roofing Company sponsors an annual fishing/golf outing  in mid-September at Barothy Lodge outside of Ludingon.  This year it was timed perfectly for Tom to join them while Missy and I stayed on Raydiance and explored town, the beach and farmer's market.

Just us and the seagulls on Ludington Beach.

Missy enjoying the sun on Ludington Beach

Watching the sun set across Lake Michigan is one of my favorite things and Thursday's sunset did not disappoint.  It just kept getting better and better as time went on.

Saturday the sun was shining and the wind had died down, so Tom, Rich and a crew of four (Kevin, John, Lane and Kris) decided to move Raydiance to Pentwater.  Mike Long joined Missy and me to see them off at the Ludington breakwater.  After giving us a runway twirl in the channel they headed north to see Big Point Sable Lighthouse before turning south to Pentwater.

Linda and Missy on Ludington breakwater.

Mike Long and Linda
on Ludington breakwater

Raydiance with roofing crew leaving Ludington
en route to Pentwater