I spent the first few days of September enjoying my last few days with Cadi and Gabe in Michigan and then prepared for my Lake Michigan crossing to Wisconsin.
Lake Michigan is a wicked enchantress. My first and second days, she was gentle and kind but then she tried to kill me. I was stuck an extra week in Wisconsin due to 8-foot waves and then battled 2-4 foot waves on the beam while trying to make Chicago. I was ready to find protection from wind and waves in the inland rivers. Below is my progress through September since I left Norfolk at the end of May.
We have all heard the saying “The two best days in a boat owners’ life are the day she buys it and the day she sells it”. How very wrong this is in my case! I was terrified the day I bought it and questioned everything. Could I dock this thing? Would I figure out the locks? Is this going to bankrupt me (this is still TBD)? However, every day since then has been a new adventure and an unexpected challenge. Honestly, thinking about selling this lovely lady who has taken care of me for over 2000 miles makes me sad. More than ever, I am excited for what comes next on this journey.
Here are my stats for the first 4 months:
| Topic | Month 1 | Month 2 | Month 3 | Month 4 | Total |
| Days | 33 days (24 travel days) | 31 days (21 travel days) | 31 days (17 travel days) | 30 days (12 travel days) | 95 days (66 travel days) |
| Travel time | 122:26 hours | 60:34 hours | 65:49 hours | 74:22 hours | 321 hours |
| Distance | 528.4 nm (608.07 mi) | 368.6 nm (424.18 mi) | 435.4 nm (501.05 mi) | 515.6 nm (593.3 mi) | 1848 nm (2126 mi) |
| Average speed | 6.2 kts (7.1 mph) | 6.0 kts (6.9 mph) | 6.6 kts (7.6 mph) | 6.9 kts (7.9 mph) | 6.5 kts (7.5 mph) |
| States and Countries | 5 states (VA, MD, DE, NJ, NY) | 2 countries (US, Canada) | 2 countries (US, Canada), 1 state (MI) | 2 states (WI, IL) | US (VA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, MI, WI, IL) and Canada (ON) |
| Visitors | 3 (Peggy, Lisa M, Sue) | 0 | 2 (Cadi, Gabe) | 2 (Lisa S, Peggy) | 6 (Peggy x2, Lisa M, Sue, Cadi, Gabe, Lisa S) |
| Stops | 25 (14 marinas, 8 anchorages, 3 free walls) | 20 (8 marinas, 1 anchorage, 11 free walls/ docks) | 16 stops (8 marinas, 7 anchorages, 1 free dock) | 12 stops (9 marinas, 2 anchorages, 1 free wall) | 73 (39 marinas, 18 anchorages, 16 free walls/ docks) |
| Locks traversed | 22 (Troy and Eastern Erie Canal) | 44 (Trent-Severn Waterway) | 2 (Soo locks) | 7 (Chicago River, Illinois River) | 75 (Troy, Erie, TS, Soo, Chicago River, Illinois River) |
| Favorite moment | Being on my own boat on the Atlantic Ocean riding waves and watching dolphins | Waubic restaurant and riding the E-SURF | Cadi and Gabe visiting | Going through downtown Chicago at dawn | Cadi and Gabe visiting |
| Hardest moment | Docking on the Hudson River fighting wind gusts and current | Leaving my kids to come back to the boat | My windlass trying to eat my hand | Battling Lake Michigan from Waukegan to Chicago | Docking on the Hudson River fighting wind gusts and current |
| Favorite stop | Clayton, NY | Lakefield, ON | Killarney, ON | Milwaukee, WI | Killarney, ON |
| Best bathroom | Marlboro YC, NY | Port Trent, ON | Killarney, ON | Milwaukee YC, WI | Port Trent, ON |
| Best boat name | The Sea Word | Dirty Oar | Blazing Paddles | Summer of George | Dirty Oar |
My next month will be continuing down the inland rivers with a long stop at home to visit family and friends.
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” — Lao Tzu
To support the adventure or to track The ‘Nati Nomad’s progress, visit greatloop.thenatinomad.com.
Leave a Reply