trishlaplaca “You should be off Lake Michigan and in Chicago by September 1,” many Great Loop sources advised. Others gave a maximum date of September 15.
Why? The simple and only answer is WEATHER. Here it is, the day after Labor Day on September 3 (yes, Jeff and I have obviously missed the first recommended deadline). Everything has begun to change within the last few days – as if the seasons could be turned off and on. All the telltale signs are here. The air is chillier. We can spy bits of color in the trees. Jeff now manages the boat from the open upper helm on the fly bridge donned in jeans, socks, and a sweatshirt rather than his trusty t-shirts and shorts. Yep. The times they are a-changin’.
READY TO GET OFF THIS RIDE?
One nice feature of our Great Loop adventure so far is that for the greater part of it we’ve been meandering through rivers, canals, and “smaller” waters. If the forecast mentioned rain and slightly choppy water, we simply stayed put and waited to get back out there. Only now do I realize how spoiled we’d become!
The word “weather”, seems to have an entirely different meaning on Lake Michigan, and possibly more-so now as autumn nears. The waves are far more robust, even on the most promising of days. Worse yet, storms are known to come out of nowhere, which you’ll see firsthand in my vlog below. Even as I write, Oyster’s bow is slamming into some major waves and lake spray rises forth to bless the windshield every once in a while – despite being a glorious day. All potentially flying objects have been put away as a precaution. Thankfully Jeff has come down to drive from the inside helm now.
All this said, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed our in stays some of Michigan’s most charming little towns and have been absolutely floored by the beauty we pass each day when we cruise. In fact, our friend Steven flew all the way from California to join us for a few days and nothing was better than to get to see him again and to share some of these wonderful highlights together.
Video: The Magic & Fury of Lake Michigan
So now it’s time to take a peek at last week’s journey. As you will see, the Great Loop still continues to gift us with magical moments. But as is true with anything in life, challenges are apt to arrive every once in awhile. It only makes us appreciate everything that much more, right 😉?
And please don’t worry – we are being safe – and ARE truly safe here aboard Oyster. And hey a ~ little bobbing in the waves is probably good for us 🤪🌊!
Wow! You weren’t kidding. Kudos to the Captain! And to the First mate for being able to video the event!