Sturgeon Bay

After enjoy Ludington at anchor we left for a 30 Mile sail to Manistee to wait for our weather window for crossing the lake to Sturgeon Bay. Manistee was pretty, small and still waiting for the season to unfold. We stayed at Sengs Marina at a bargain price and got a FREE burgee (small flag to say we've been there) to boot!

The weather forecast for the next week was rather bleak with strong north and north easterly winds with cold temperatures and rain/thundershowers predicted. Given our choices Tuesday looked like a safe although cold and  maybe wet day to make the 60 mile trip to the other side. Since neither the Captain or the First Mate had ever experienced a sail of this length outside of the sight of land, there was a fair amount of nervous energy put into the planning function.
We weren't able to leave as early as we would have liked since the two draw bridges between us and the lake weren't manned until 7AM. So... at 7:02, dressed in our long underwear and full foul weather gear, we approached the bridges, which opened on demand, and off we went setting the main and self tacking jib right outside the Manistee breakwater. Winds were 10-12Kts NNE and one to two foot seas; PERFECT!
The first mate fixed the crew steel cut oatmeal with an assortment of accompaniments and we sailed at 6kts. The thunderstorms fortunately all went below us and we dealt with increasing northerly winds and seas that eventually became 6 foot and breaking off the starboard quarter. We reefed the main then took a second reef as the winds increased and eventually reefed the jib as well; all done from the safety of the cockpit. We were doing hull speed of 8 1/2 Kts most of the way. HD held her head up well and never made even a slight groan under the conditions she was built to handle. This gives the crew a lot of comfort going forward. The crew, however, during the last two hours were taxed as the helm required full time steerage due to the breaking seas. Good news; it was a fast trip going door to door in a short 9 hours. Sails were up at the breakwater in Manistee and down inside the breakwater at the entrance to the SB ships canal.
While motoring to the Centerpoint Marina we were spotted by Susie who called and waved form her Mom's dock then met us at the marina to help with docking. Pem joined us from work in his suit for refreshments on HD and then they treated the crew to a steak dinner in the comfort of their waterfront home, fixed us up with a chiropractor and  loaned us a new Cadillac to use. Seems like a nice port of call and we asked if they were very busy and would mind going on ahead of us as we travel to make like arrangements at our various stops. They have  taken this under advisement. We were glad we made the visit.
After dinning on HD the next night with Pem and  Susie, we were visited by Bill & Nancy Austen and Chris & Jane Martin of Bemis to check on how the retirement was going. Very thorough and thoughtful Company to have spent a career at.
We sailed with Pem along in 20kts of wind at hull speed within SB and all took a turn at the helm. Sunny, calm in the bay, good winds, food and company; an enjoyable afternoon on many fronts. Thanks for coming up.
After church with Pem and Susie we are off to Fish Creek and then Egg Harbor before returning to SB on Tuesday to have the alternator replaced which will stop the much maligned and mysterious alarm from going off at the most inopportune times; docking/undocking. This is last of the major punch list issues on HD.
Seems we lost our flag and pole on our crossing. We will secure the new one when acquired with a safety strap.