After 8 months of preparation for this trip, lifetimes on and around the water, and a maritime heritage that hopefully has had some epigenetic benefits, we left the dock and began America's Great Loop. On a quiet, late September Thursday, we cast off from ME Yacht Restoration in Holland, Michigan, threaded our way out through Lake Macatawa, and crossed Lake Michigan to Chicago. Winds started out of the east at 5-10 knots with 1-2 foot waves as promised by NOAA but by mid-Lake we experienced south to southeast winds 12-15 knots, white caps, and 1-3 foot waves, occasionally 4, that at times would really push the stern of the boat around before the autopilot could compensate. We encountered very little traffic until we actually entered Chicago Harbor. The entire voyage lasted 5 and a half hours and we covered 87.5 nautical miles or 100.7 statute miles. We were out of sight of land for a little more than an hour and a half and but for the Chicago sky line it would have been a lot longer.
We learned some things. Perhaps most importantly, Jackie loved the helm, enjoyed navigating, and just did a terrific job. She negotiated the entrance to Chicago Harbor and manned the helm through a busy and complex marina while I prepared lines and bumpers for docking. She graciously allowed the Captain to complete the final maneuvers spinning the boat and backing it into a rather narrow slip. With regard to preparing lines, docking, etc., we have a pair of marriage savers--head sets that allow us to communicate with each other without raising voices. They are magic--almost as good as roses--and we're not sure how we sailed for years without them. Rascal fared well. A little out of sorts at first listening to 715 horses thrumming below him (says Rascal, "They don't smell like horses but they sure make a lot of noise"), he came up and oversaw Jackie at the helm for a while and then settled on the master stateroom v-berth. Thankfully, he did not upchuck.
We have snugged into DuSable Harbor next to the lock and Navy Pier in Chicago where we will stay until Monday. NOAA has posted a gale warning for today, rain and fog for tomorrow, and clearing weather for Sunday although the Chicago River is closed most of that day for a crew race. As soon as day breaks here, I'm going out and put even more lines on the boat.
Pictures will tell the rest of the story of Katahdin's first day on the loop. Be sure to scroll down through. They do tell a story!
Entering Lake Michigan from Holland's Lake Macatawa
Born to the job; she loves this boat!
Proudly displaying the America's Great Loop Cruiser's Association pennant
The Commander in Chief and the Admiral enjoying the helm together
The Admiral gave the Captain a turn too.
Two above--approaching Chicago. Above, snug at the dock.
The Columbia Yacht Club's Vessel Abby--a long ago Canadian ice breaker
All the comforts of home including Thursday night football on Prime
"Now I see what they meant about skyline!; Toto, we aren't in Kansas (Maine) any more."
An amazing setting for the first night of our Loop!
Maybe we'll go into advertising!
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