September 18 to Chicago

Chicago skyline

An auspicious start to our journey to Chicago on Wednesday which began at 6am.  We escaped the rain in Milwaukee but endured 3-5 swells all the way to Chicago where it started to RAIN.  Hard.  But it let up for short time as we wound around Chicago harbor in search of the entrance to the 31st Street Marina which we did find during the lull.

41st Street Marina entrance

Lot of vacant slips

 Swayed by the break in the weather I thought we'd have an easy time just pulling alongside a dock and tying up.  Easy.  As soon as we were in the marina the blue sky disappeared and we were greeted by a thunderstorm with the usual darkness, torrential downpours and strong winds.  We attempted to dock on the T-head of the J dock but only succeeded in soaking Mary after an hour.  Luckily the marina was pretty deserted.  I could never get the boat close enough to the dock for Mary to jump off.  Needless to say it was not our finest hour.  We ended up just pulling into a slip where the wind pushed us against the dock.  Mary suggested a slip on a different dock but we were close to the one we'd been trying to tie up to for the last hour so I made yet another fateful decision went into a slip there.

 The whole marina was pretty vacant.  And I mean several hundred slips of which about 95% were empty.  Desolate. A nice peaceful night ahead right?






And so at 9:30 a 55 foot sea ray blaring Latin music comes into the marina and ... like you can't tell where this is headed ... pulls up, and after several attempts, finally backs into the slip adjacent to us.  Yup.  Nice big boat 4 feet away awash with dancing young people in bikini's, loud
music and lots of alcohol.  Boy, I cant wait to stay here again.

Our boat and our lively neighbor 

Did I really say "young people"?  I must really be getting old!  I should mention it went on all night albeit at a slightly reduced volume after midnight.  I'd have fired up our engines at 6am but figured vengeance was less desirable than at least some semblance of sleep.  So we left at 8am instead of 6am.

September 18 in Milwaukee

On our way to Chicago.  At 6am no less!  Calm conditions but rain in the forecast.  Oh well.

We had intended on leaving Tuesday, September 17th but the lake was still pretty rough so employing the age-old adage, comfort trumps schedule, we just stayed in Milwaukee another day and let the lake settle down a bit.  Actually leaving Wednesday will give us a good chance to attain the 31st street marina in Chicago in one day (90 miles).  Leaving Tuesday would have hindered our progress enough to likely meant a stop in Waukegan.  That would then have required us to stay at the 31st street marina anyway before heading into the rivers.

I've been asked a number of times about "this loop thing" and trying to explain it occasionally adds confusion than clarity.  And we all know my explanations aren't at fault ... ;-)  Anyway I was cleaning up some computer stuff and stumbled across this rather nifty Great Loop site which I think provides a pretty good explanation of the whole loop and its various segments.  For those who are interested go to this web site and see what you think: Captain John's Loop 

Saturday we had a phalanx of visitors.  We were actually able to fit everyone on the sundeck couch... sort of.

Saturday was also the day of Al's run.  We didn't know otherwise I might have tried to relive past glories and run the thing again.  Knees?  What knees.

Slackers that we are, we instead sat on the curb and watched several thousand runners and walkers trot on by.  They even had some high school cheer leading squad out there doing encouragement cheers.

After everyone left we took a ride out to Ixonia to see grandkids!  Did I mention we rented a car Friday? Another red Toyota.  But Enterprise does have great deals!

Seany examining train wheels

Sunday Mary had stayed over night in Ixonia while I was on the boat playing with a new computer.  I drove back out to fetch her so we could visit Dave and Dana, some old friends from Oconomowoc,   We then headed over to our sons house for more grandkid time and went out to dinner at the Depot.  And we saw a train go by too!




Monday we spent involved in last minute errands and preparation for a morning departure Tuesday.  But while I was waiting at the car rental place I checked the marine forecasts again and saw they had altered their earlier forecast with the addition of small craft warnings Tuesday.  The boat can certainly handle most any weather, its the weaklings riding along that get too beat up and pooped.  So as I mentioned earlier we elected to stay another day and delve into researching the Illinois river system and what we'll be seeing down that way.

The Illinois river runs about 330 miles to the Mississippi.  Another few hundred miles down the Mississippi to the Ohio and 50 miles up that river is the beginning of the Tennessee. All told, from where we are in Milwaukee to the mouth of Mobile bay, it;s another 999 miles.  Fall is a great time to travel down that way.  Water is reportedly rather warm and swim able too.  We'll see.

September 12-17, 2013 Milwaukee,WI

I was out walking this afternoon and had stopped to talk to a boater who was contemplating embarking on the Loop when I noticed the Michigan Street bridge going up.  That suddenly registered with me since it was 4:30 and the next opening was at 5:30 which was when we wanted to leave.  Ran back to the boat and bumped into Mary heading off to the showers. She evidently hadn't forgotten the bridge schedule.

We managed to get showered, dump the garbage, untie the lines and pull out of the slip on a rather windy day all within 50 minutes.  Impressive feat of agility for us old people.   The bridge openings are on the half hour, every hour.  And had we not made the 5:30 opening we'd have been stuck until 6:30 when the Michigan Street bridge was due to open next.

We went through the bridge and tied up near the boat launch for about an hour waiting for Kathy to join us for the trip.  The Mobile Bay, a Coast Guard buoy tender was tied right behind us.  Kathy arrived soon after and we wolfed down a sub and headed out on a pleasant calm evening for the 19 hour cruise south to Milwaukee.

Beautiful evening and clam waters heading out to the lake

Thunderstorms to the right and another boat to the left

Once on the lake the swells were deep and slow from the south so we were lightly bouncing along.  The rain showers ended up being more than showers and through the night we had a series of torrential downpours along with thunder and lightening.  Luckily the seas remain relatively calm and the winds remained steady and light.

Milwaukee skyline (look closely at the horizon).

Approaching Milwaukee the coastline didn't seem familiar at all even though we've seen it many times before.  I identified a few landmarks but without the charts I wondered if I'd have been able to find the marina entrance.

We started through the north entrance into the McKinley marina when it began raining.  Fitting since we more often than not are either docking, locking or anchoring in a downpour.

It took a minute figuring out how to approach the fuel dock but we finally did and got tied up where we took on 168 gallons of diesel.  Last time we filled up was in Detour, MI.  We're still getting around 2-2.5 miles per gallon.










We received a slip assignment and I started to walk towards E dock where we were going to be tied  when I unexpectedly ran into Bob and Jan toting chocolate cupcakes.  They had come down to surprise us when we pulled in!   Bob and Jan came aboard and we left the fuel dock for the quarter mile ride to the slip.  Who ever said boat rides had to be lengthy!



After we tied up Kathy took a kayak down and when off searching for our burgee which blew off as we swung in to the harbor.  The flagstaff snapped at the base and it, along with the AGLCA burgee went spiraling into the lake and headed off towards the breakwater.  Kathy didn't spot it so it seems to be lost forever.  But internet shopping we can do!

Kathy Colin and Dave heading home

While Kathy was out in the Kayak the remaining crew had a cocktail (captain Morgan of course).  And ironically, we noticed that Larry and Judy's old boat was 3 slips down from where we're tied up.  Bob and Jan left shortly after.

 Dave and Colin arrived shortly after Kathy returned from kayaking and we trotted over to Altera to bring back a few sandwiches to consume before they left for home.  Thanks Kathy for coming along and taking the 4am watch!




We then just did a few cleanup tasks and collapsed into bed.  Long day that was.

We'll probably only be staying in Milwaukee until Monday before heading down to Chicago.  Weather permitting of course.

September 10-11 2013

The route we will be following to Milwaukee

We are planning on leaving Sturgeon Bay Tuesday in the early evening for the 19 hour run down to Milwaukee.  The weather appears to be passable Tuesday evening and into Wednesday so we're going for it.  We should be getting into McKinley marina by late afternoon if all goes as planned.

Kathy is joining us again.  I guess the lumpy seas from last month just weren't enough for her.

We spent the last few days with Dave and Kathy and Saturday Tim and Jill (our old neighbors) stopped up to see the boat and play a round of golf.

Ride the Fireboat!

 Other than that we just enjoyed the marina and the view of all the boat traffic in channel












Today we did some last minute shopping and cleaning up so I guess we're all ready to go.  We plan on staying in Milwaukee through most of the weekend before heading to Chicago the first part of next week.  Weather permitting of course.

September 4-6, 2013 Sturgeon Bay, WI

Through those doors lies Novocain!

Another early morning ... up at 6:15 so we could arrive at the dentist office in Green Bay at 7:50 where I was scheduled for a cleaning and crown fitting.  Piece of cake.  No pain.  Right .... Turns out I had a cavity drilled out, and plenty of tooth grinding for the crown.   I really don't enjoy being anywhere in the vicinity of a dentist office.  But kudos for a fabulous dentist, Julie Farrell. She's really superb. 

  

After that little 2 hour journey down ecstasy lane  we were compelled to visit Fleet Farm, Walmart and CVS.  It was easy getting back into the spending money groove.  Not even sure what we bought except oil in sufficient quantity for both engines and the generator.  We're talking gallons here if you really want to know.

Lambeau Atrium entrance

We then headed over stop in at Lambeau for a drink.  And Mary bought something at the pro $hop (no typo).  

Bellin

Next Mary had a routine test at Bellin Hospital and then we went back to the dentist for me and a cleaning. 







  



A duel dentist visit, regardless of the wonderful people, enjoys a prominent position on by must-avoid list.  Or I should say, did.  Oh well....  

We headed back to the boat and embraced the chore of unloading the car, loading up a cart, pushing it to the boat, unloading the cart up onto the boat and then trying to find a spot to store the stuff.  For example, my 12 gallons of oil is comfortably resting in the forward shower until I can find a more suitable location.  

Next day at 7am we were on the road to Green Bay again for my physical.  The doc was great.  Certain certain diagnostic procedures, not so much.   

Infant Peacock

We went to Julie's for breakfast.  They even had a baby peacock outdoors.  

We then went to Woodman's for sundries and booze.  Trunk was full and we still had another food store stop to make.  

Amanda and me

Haircuts were next. Thankfully Amanda was there. She delicately snipped my split ends (I know not what these are but they seem to be a scourge on humanity and must be eliminated).  And then went to work on Mary for many (... many) minutes.  We've been going to see her for a number of years and she's very good!














We stopped at Shopko Express for a prescription and then went to Anduzzi's bar in Howard to meet our old neighbors Tim and Jill, and also Jay and Donna (the people who purchased our house), for dinner.  Wonderful time!  We were brought up to speed on all the neighborhood goings-on and told a few boating stories too.


We went right to the food store after leaving the bar and bought meat and more perishable things and then hightailed it back to Sturgeon Bay and the boat.  Hauled it all aboard but fell back on the perfectly valid excuse of it being too late and us being too old and tired to put anything away. So we just left all the non-perishable items sitting on the sun deck  We'll be up "early" in the morning to deal with it.  Yup, early ...




Just read an AGLCA forum posting where a boat (we know them too) was here in Sturgeon Bay earlier this week, and they found a really cheap rental car place.  Their frugal and satisfactory experience stands in stark contrast to our far more lavish (and I do mean LAVISH) car rental episode with an odious major car rental company.  I think I may need to work on my researching skills.!

Weather isn't the best for the next few days so we may be here until mid week.  Ugh ...

  

September 3 2013 Sturgeon Bay, WI

At 8:15 we took in our lines on a stiff northwest wind and backed out of the slip.  I had to pull further into the marina to spin the boat around.  We headed out into 3-4 foot seas which moderated after gaining the lee from Chambers Island.  Had to make water on the way down so we have full tanks now.

BeachQuest on the right in the distance

We are docked at the marina adjacent to the old bridge in Sturgeon Bay.  Harbor Club marina is located directly across the channel from Stone Harbor hotel. At one time in the past there was an AppleBees here.  It's a pretty nice place with wide fareways and big slips.  We're in the first slip on A dock over looking the channel.

As soon as we were tied up a gentleman approached Mary about doing some boat work so we hired him to trim a railing so the rail gates would fit correctly.  And wash the boat.  Guess we are lazy boat owners.  They did a pretty decent job.

I rented a car from a major car rental (not cheap) comany which was the only car rental in town.   It has a key-less ignition.  Took me a while of fumbling around to figure out the damn things wont start unless you have your foot on the brake and have a seat belt on.

We pretty much stayed on board all day getting ready for Doctor appointments tomorrow.  We have to leave the boat at precisely 6:40am in order to make it to the first appointment on time.

August 27 - September 3 2013 Door County, WI

Slip at Yachtworks

Tuesday morning we were ready to leave by 11am.  Got the anchor up but only after several pauses to clean off the weeds entwined on the chain. The anchor was really dug in so we enjoyed days of being securely planted to the bottom even through some blustery south winds.  We went out around Horseshoe Island so I could make some water before getting into the marina.  We arrived around 12:30 and were directed to a slip requiring a sharp 180 degree turn.

 I made a quick decision to back in, something we usually try and avoid because of the lack of any visibility behind the boat.  I basically guess where the boat is in relation to the dock and take it from there.  But we had no issues and were securely tied in a few minutes.







The tech guy, Robert showed up around 4pm and immediately  found the inverters GFCI was open.  It was a little sticky or so he thought since I did reset it back when the inverter first failed.  Perhaps my tactile skills are eroding at the same rate as everything else?  Soon  I wont be able to see, touch or hear anything but at least my ears will be warm from all the hair sprouting there.   Anyway, the inverter is functional again and I have, as part of the inverter troubleshooting procedure, placed my highest power glasses next to the AC output side so when this happens again I'll have a better chance of noticing the GFCI breaker's position.  Robert the tech had to leave after this and promised to return early the next morning to tackle the solar panels.

Wednesday morning Robert returned and after talking with Steve from Morningstar (solar charge controller company) discovered the panels were wired backwards and the charge controller, sensing a reversed polarity, set itself in night mode.  Another sign of my failing close-up eye sight.  I didn't see the little negative sign on the meter when I measured the output from the panel leads. He did.  grumble ...

 He covered the leads with the appropriate color shrink wrap and we're good to go on the panels.  This must have occurred when we had repairs to the canvas completed earlier in the month since the solar panel wiring is inaccessible unless the panels are removed.

While Robert and I were fiddling with wires Mary went off to breakfast with Dan, Judy, Bob and Jan at Al Johnsons up the road.  I wont mention who had the mountain of whipped cream on their pancakes.  By the time they were done eating I had the bill paid and a slip reserved at the sister Bay marina about a 1/2 mile down along the coast.  Gene joined us shortly after Bob and Jan left so the remaining gang were treated with a thrilling 45 minute boat ride at the astonishing speed of  7 mph.

 We pulled into the sister bay marina slip and made plans to meet at Bob and Jan's condo in Egg Harbor later that evening.  We hung around until 9 or so and then Dan drove us back to Sister Bay and the boat.  Gene elected to stay aboard for the night instead of driving his bike back to Milwaukee.

Jen and Dave arrived with their kids around 11 in the morning the following day.  We took the dinghy around while the weather was good.

Nope.  Your on your own going up those stairs

 LeAnn arrived Friday afternoon and the following day we drove to Washington Island since the travel time and weather presented a timing problem for us taking the boat up there.  Stopped at the tower, and School Hoiuse Beach.

And  we made the obligatory stop at Nelsen's tavern where one must drink a shot of bitters (and receive a Bitters Club certificate).   Dont let the expression fool you.  It was far worse! ;-)

And in the end we all received a certificate worthy of framing?

Dave and Jen took the dinghy for a spin after LeAnn and I returned from Wilsons in Ephraim.  We took the kids there for a dinghy ride and of course stuffed them with ice cream.  Are we not a good grandparent and aunt?

Somebody actually knocked down a few pins!

We initially decided to eat at Sister Bay bowl and to pass the wait time decided to ah, well, bowl.










Sunday started out really crappy so I abandoned any plans of taking the boat over to Shanty Bay.  We drove instead.  And of course once we got there it turned sunny and warm and the projected winds only slowly crept around to the north leaving the anchorage clam until about 5pm.  So we went to the beach but no one had swimming suites... like it mattered.



We made a last visit to a stone cutter store after which the Hagens left and went back to the boat.  Nice sleeping since it was cool but very windy.  Rocked the boat like a cradle.  The only disturbance was a damn sailboat and a flopping halyard.  Aren't flopper-stoppers required sailboat gear? ;-)

Took LeAnn to Al Johnsons for breakfast this morning.  Oddly enough we've been there 4 times in the last 6 days and for the previous 18 years we never stopped.  And of course the goats were out on the roof but I neglected to take a picture.  However there is a live Goat Cam showing the roof and any goats if they are out (usually after 9am until 5pm).

After eating  she and I took a walk up the road a ways.  I stopped to buy some caulk at the marine store on the way back and noted, after it was rung up of course I had no wallet or money.  Nor did LeAnn.  Oh well.

She left for Minnesota at 11 and we settled in doing laundry and book work not to mention cleaning in preparation for tomorrow's journey to Sturgeon Bay.  I hope we will arrive in time for me to walk to Avis to rent a car for Dr. Appointments in Green Bay over the next few days.

We'll probably be heading down towards Milwaukee the following week and then to Chicago sometime after that.  Plans though are continuously subject to alteration due to conditions either unforeseen or or more likely glossed over and forgotten.  In any event we will make it to Chicago by mid September.

In Chicago here is a 19 foot bridge we have to wiggle under so if anyone wants to take a short boat ride after over eating please let us know.  We need all the weight we can get! ;-)