Last night's weather check suggested that today just might be a travel day. We set the alarm for 0600 but I woke up around 0530 because the boat had stopped moving. We rolled out of the berth and started prepping for departure before the first light was lighting up First Light. Up and down the dock others of our group-of-stranded-loopers were similarly engaged, with one already gone.
Before the sun broached the horizon, First Light's engines rumbled to life, as did the engine of our friend's boat in the slip next to us. (Another wall surviver.) Another refugee boat a couple of slips from them was already moving. First Light backed out, our friends followed us, and another friend followed them. The four of us hit the channel in a regular parade of escapees trying to get under the wire before the guards noticed. Clearing the channel the boats all turned south and fanned out a bit as each captain found their boat engine's “happy place”. Everyone seemed to settle down between six and seven knots with (much to my surprise) First Light being the fastest by a hair.
All of us started out heading for the same place. But not too far into the trip Deb suggested we continue on to an alternate that was half again the miles, getting us even further south. Lake Michigan had quieted down much more and much faster than I had thought it would, so I was all for going on. After all, the weather suggested that the further south we went, the better it would get. Why waste daylight?
Of course, the weather wasn't exactly accurate. For a while, the further south we got the lumpier it got. The autopilot was relieved of duty. But it wasn't that lumpy so we continued on, eventually reaching our destination. And what a destination it turned out to be.
It has a free wall but, like the one we endured earlier this week, it was completely exposed to swell coming off of the lake. There was zero chance we were going to risk that again. However, there was the West Basin Marina. Deb called to see if they had room. They had a slip around two corners and behind sea walls that was also modestly priced. About eight hours after our breaking out of the rolling prison, and even coming off of a lumpy lake, we pulled into a slip where, after tying off, ALL OF OUR LINES ARE BASICALLY HANGING LIMP! There is barely a ripple in the water. The restrooms and showers are about 100 feet away and are clean and fresh. Off the boat are picnic tables and benches. Had we been holed up here for five days I suspect my opinion of Lake Michigan might have been slightly less harsh.
The plan is to be here one night, making more miles tomorrow. We are two full travel days from the rivers, with day three being the day we the leave the lake, hit the rivers, and start the last part of this journey. Truth be told, both Deb and I are about done with this trip. It isn't that we wish we hadn't come this way at all, but it is getting late in the year and the fires of home are close enough to smell the smoke. But for tonight we are secured, comfortable, and pleased to be further south than we were.
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