Turf to Surf

 Our approach from Hammond Indiana to Chicago Illinois. We had a beautiful morning and left early.  While in Hammond we enjoyed the company of these wonderful loopers. Jack and Vickie aboard Sojourn and Ken and Donna aboard Islay Mist;  we hope our paths will cross again soon.  Just under 2 hours and we are docked in the heart of this beautiful city. What a thrill… We had booked a 12.30 architectural boat tour through downtown and it was a bit of a walk so we headed out on foot.  We loved it…...the narrator was very informative and tried to make it fun. Richard said he also enjoyed it but I could tell he was mostly thinking of navigating his boat through those same channels in the morning. Here come the pictures…. After our cruise we found a picturesque pizza spot along the river. Great thin crust pizza… Nice stroll along the river walk… And the money shot….lights over the harbour with the city in the background. We leave first thing in the morning, through the city on the Chicago rive

Having dinner with Bill and Nita.  Leaving Benton harbour early morning for our final leg on Lake Michigan. Some good rollers but otherwise very good conditions. Not much to see on route as we travel mostly in open water. On approach to our marina we can see the Chicago skyline to the west and a huge industrial area to the east. Long day but so happy to be off the Lake….we are actually in Hammond Indiana. From here Chicago is a short Uber ride away. We are thinking of staying here a week.  The marina is inexpensive and very well located to opening of the river going south. 

 Left Grand Haven on a beautiful morning heading to Benton Harbour about 7 1/2 hours away.  Very uneventful first 5 hours but then the clouds started rolling in from the west. We accelerated to try and keep in front of it but it caught us….heavy rain and hail with low visibility. Scary for a little bit so we slowed down and turned on the radar.  Loopers Tia and Glen on Child of the rising Sun were just off our starboard side. We exchanged photos of each other’s boat…just doesn’t translate.  It moved on after a nail biting hour or so.  Pulled into Benton Harbour 🌞 Got tied up at the Inn at Harbour Shores. Loopers Bill and Nita on Phase 2 pulled in beside us. We had dinner together and exchanged stories; life and Loop.  Staying 2 days here. Went for a long walk into a lovely downtown and beach park.  Name of the town is St Joseph. Lovely Michigan…just lovely.  We picked up this print of the break wall lighthouse. Tomorrow groceries and boat chores. Heading to Chicago outskirts possibly

Great pictures of Red Rover pulling out of Ludington taken by our Lopper friend and neighbor Deirdre.  We left early as we were planning a full day run. Now these are almost the only pictures of our day as it was very rough out on the lake and it was the last thing on my mind. What was predicted 1 to 2 foot rollers ended up being more like 4 to 5. Once we were able to come around that first point it really settled down….we were able to enjoy a much smoother ride.  Deirdre and Alan pulled in a few hours after us on their boat Voyager. We were neighbors in Ludington and we are neighbors once again.  We leave early in the morning…..good night😴  

  Cocktails on the back deck and a quiet night at home. May you’re 63rd year bring you health and excitement. You are loved, and that is everything….😘 Introducing Ludington Michigan….one more quaint seaside town with shops, restaurants, beautiful beaches and walkways. This town is so clean, including the public bathrooms….kudos to Michigan state…impressive.  Our track to get here. It was a little rocky…. Nicely located marina for long walks into town or down to the beach and break wall.  “The Badger”. Coal fired Ferry that runs daily across the lake from here. One of the last of it’s kind soon to be converted. Interesting history….google her.  Local farmers market…..we were able to provision with locally grown goodies.  We are are really enjoying our walks on the beach. This young lady getting some “air” with her kite. Leaving in the morning after 5 days here;  destination will be weather dependent.