July 31


South Haven to St. Joseph 25 mile 5.8 Mile per Gallon


As the numbers show the runs was fast and good.  The weather conditions were as close to perfect as it gets, There were only light winds, easy swells and therefore no ramp up and downs of the engine and Just Do It just did it easy peasy. 


Funny thing happed while leaving the Black River I was running less than 5 KTs and someone yelled at me to slow down. I checked my wake it really was small if any at all.  I was only above idle speed by 200 RPM.  But I slowed down anyways.  I guess no wakes means different things in different places the river had more lake effect wave than my wake but it is what it is.  (this was a boat name in harbor last night “It is what it is”)


Once in the harbor (West Basin Marina) we stopped filled up and went to the slip I did more work rigging the fenders, I need them fictional and I do not want to lose another.  I guess I will buy on at West Marine when I get home or I will order new ones.  It is getting to be a pain in the butt.  


I spent yesterday working on a schedule and booking marinas for us to stay in.  Plus arranging a car rental in Starved Rock for a slip.  Today it all went to crap as the weather is turning against us again tomorrow.  Thunderstorms and 5 ft waves.  We do play in the boat with 5 foot waves.  I have rescheduled tomorrow stay and will have to rework the other locations when I see when this wind storm finally lets up.


After Rigging the fenders, hooking up electricity, filling water tank and starting the AC, we went for a walk on the beach.  Nice spot here and some people should think about coming up this way for the summer vacation.  


During the walk we toured the light house in town.  It was restored to the 1930 condition in 2016 and they give us a great tour.  Turns out the reason for the double light house is if you align your boat to see one light over the other drive like that, you arrive at north pier.  Other interesting fact:

  • most light houses were build in the 1880 in Lake Michigan
  • Michigan has more light houses than other state in the nation
  • The light houses were manned every 4 hours per day by attendants that had to keep watch during the day and keep weather and ship records
  • The wick had to trimmed every 4 hours
  • Fuel used for the lamp was one of three things, Coal oil, kerosene, or whale oil. 


Had Dinner out with my Engineering School buddy Jon and Gail last night.  I can not believe it has been 44 years that we graduated from School together a very long time.  Interesting that 2 of my closest friends I have I have known longer than I have know Dianne.  






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