Chinook's Great Loop

[Chinook]

We arrived in Grand Haven MI yesterday afternoon, having towed the boat 2,355 miles in 5 days. The truck performed flawlessly, as did the trailer. No incidents or road damage of any kind. We plan to head down to the municipal marina today, and we'll be rigging and launching the boat. We'll stay at the marina at least 2 nights, with tomorrow devoted to last minute provisioning and shuttling the truck and trailer to its parking place for the next 13 months. On Saturday morning we hope to leave the dock and begin our loop cruise. That plan is subject to weather, and right now it's very windy on this side of Lake Michigan. The forecast for today calls for 20 to 30 mph winds and 6 to 8 feet waves breaking on the beach. Yikes! Saturday is supposed to be a bit better, with winds of around 15mph, but SSW which will put them right on the nose. I need to learn more about how to interpret this information for this lake, so I can make informed decisions on just what conditions I'm willing to go out in. Stay tuned for updates here, or check in on the blog which can be found at http://chinook.cecka.us

[Azzarac]

Good luck and stay safe out there! You are living what most of us dream of doing. I got a chuckle when reading about your trip to MI on your blog. You are following almost exactly the same path we took 3 years ago coming back from Astoria, OR. I gotta ask though, when you stayed overnight in Rock Springs did it give you the most creepy feeling? The 4 of us couldn't wait to pull out of there and put some miles between that KOA and ourselves.

[Chinook]

The thing about Rock Springs KOA is location. There's not much out there, in that part of Wyoming, and you have to take what you get. It's windy and dusty, but it was there when we needed a place to stop . The folks there were friendly, and they were definitely doing a great business with campers rolling in off the highway all evening. No, it didn't seem creepy. Did I miss something?

[NiceAft]

I started reading your blog, and you are showing your age......BURMA SHAVE

Ray

[1st Sail]

I totally missed an opportunity to meet you. I assumed you would travel I 90 to Chicago rather than I 80. I actually could have bought the pizza. I 80 goes past my door (Moline, IL). Sorry I missed the opportunity to offer so hospitality. Have a great trip

[Chinook]

I spent a good bit of time comparing the I-80 and I-90 routes. Google Maps says that I-90 is shorter by a couple hundred miles, and supposedly a few hours less driving time. However, I-90 traverses more rugged terrain, with more and higher mountain crossings, and quite curvy descents, especially when dropping into Missoula. Also, I saw that I'd be passing through/around more large metro areas by the northern route, with Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and the entirety of Chicago to deal with. Also, I'd have an extensive bit of toll road to shell out for in getting around Chicago. The skirting freeways don't go through downtowns, but just being near the big cities creates a lot of driving hassles. I'm happy with my choice, although I might take the northern route next year for the drive home, just to add some variety. Sorry I missed you in Moline.

[dlandersson]

I'm just off I-80/I-94 south of Chicago and I slip in Michigan City, Indiana. Be glad to buy the pizza, etc., when you are in my neighborhood.

[Chinook]

We plan on stopping at Michigan City, as our last port before crossing to Chicago. We'd enjoy meeting up with you when we get there. Hard to say how long that will take, since we seem to be in a pretty windy period right now.

[Chinook]

Departure day has finally arrived. We'll leave the slip at Grand Haven Municipal Marina this morning, turn left, and keep on more or less turning left until we arrive back at our starting point. The boat is as ready as we can make her, and we are as well. Stay tuned.

[Obelix]

Hope you guy's feel better soon and get rid of the cough.

Bon Voyage

Obelix

[THE CUSCUS]

I really enjoy reading your well written and descriptive accounts of your trips. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Fair winds and safe travels.

[Chinook]

It's been a slog, but we've gotten downlake as far as Benton Harbor/St. Joseph. Lake Michigan can be one rough body of water. We pounded into SW winds going down to Holland, went out in really rough conditions to make the next 10 miles to Saugatuk, holed up there for 3 nights while a thunderstorm past overhead, followed by a cold front passage with attendant strong winds. We made the run today from the Kalamazoo River to St. Joseph, 44 miles and rough ones. Not much wind, 10 mph or less, but out of the northwest, and building chop the full length of the lake. In addition, a nasty swell out of the west slammed us broadside, out of nowhere, every 15 minutes or so. Awfully glad to reach St. Josesph. Surprised to run into two other Loop boats here, and both from the Northwest (Orcas Island and Victoria). It's a regular Northwest rendezvous. Tomorrow the forecast looks good for a run down to Michigan City and hopefully on Friday we can make the crossing to Chicago. Sure looking forward to getting off this lake.

[C Buchs]

I'm in Chicago on business now. I've got tomorrow morning open, a customer visit in the afternoon and a flight home tomorrow evening. I just took a 5-1/2 mile run along the waterfront. The weather is nice, but not much wind. That isn't stopping the sailors I can see out the window now. They are making me jealous!

Jeff

[dlandersson]

Chicago waterfront in the morning. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, dew is on the grass, and the bodies dumped by the wiseguys are reaching the mouth of the Chicago river.

I'm in Chicago on business now. I've got tomorrow morning open, a customer visit in the afternoon and a flight home tomorrow evening. I just took a 5-1/2 mile run along the waterfront. The weather is nice, but not much wind. That isn't stopping the sailors I can see out the window now. They are making me jealous!

Jeff

[dlandersson]

And Chinook made it to Michigan City. I gotta say, that's a sweet boat. Mike and Sandy have done some very nice modifications.

At the end of the video, a power boat ower can be heard saying, if his health let him, he'd get one.

https://youtu.be/K81hgTkjWJ4