September 6 - Our departure

The days leading up to our departure were a bit hectic. The exhaust tube, connecting the engine with the muffler unit, was replaced. A few fuel lines showed wear and new ones were installed. We also purchased a spare prop and few other back-up parts. Dan Gavinski, of Lakeshore Yacht service did a great job and got everything completed in time. My sons Henry and John helped in setting up the website and fellow boater Allen Rice helped solve some last minute glitches with the printer.

Since Thressa will not join the Great Loop trip until the end of the year, I have invited some friends to join me. Between Muskegon, MI and Alton, IL Sheli and Steve Sterk will be part of the crew. They arrived on Monday afternoon and before long we were off shopping for food and beverages. I am sure this we will need to do many more times. Before Thressa rerturned to our home in Ada, MI, we had pizza together at the well know Fricano,s pizza restaurant on the shores of Muskegon Lake.

After a night of tossing and turning, anticpating the big adventure, we woke up early and had our breakfast. Sheli made breakfast and based on her performance, I think I'll keep her on as crew for the coming week. At 7:40 a.m we left Lakeshore Yacht Harbour.

 At the Muskegon Lake Channel we dodged a large number of fisherman, all trying to catch the "big one". Out on Lake Michigan we set the course to Hammond, IN -a 12 hours trip. The winds were favourable - NNE. About the time we came to the southern tip of Lake Michigan, the wind started to pick-up and waves built up to 4 to 5 feet. We arrived at the Hammond Marina around 7:00 p.m. local time. The winds had become very strong, making docking the boat quite difficult.

During the trip, the vacuum pump for the rear "head" quit working. Here it really paid off to have Steve onboard. After dinner, Steve went to our engine room and pulled apart the pump. Withion one hour he had the system wirking. What a relief - my very own bathroom/shower.