Mackinaw City to Chicago
August 23-27
Nora

8/23    Adm. arrived in Mackinaw City to find SeaBird well, if a bit soiled, after an additional 11 days at the city marina.  A quick run for groceries followed by whitefish dinner at Audey's was excellent.  A quickie washdown and uncovering kept me up till midnight.

8/24    An early departure at 0730, stopped for a quick addition of diesel 165 gal, the off, under the Mackinac Island Bridge,  to points south.  Cool morning at 48 deg., but it quickly warmed up to 62 where it stayed most of the day (on the water).  Clear, no wind, calm water.  An "Otto" day.
There were however multiple fog banks which gave me a little radar practice.  Wound up at Frankfort, MI, a run of 123 miles, where the Fish joined me for the rest of the abbreviated voyage.

8/25     Departed early bound for Grand Haven, MI 100NM south.  A bit choppy but we were running generally into the swells.   An uneventful day of coastal cruising.  Arrived at Grand Haven - North Shore Marine at 1900.  Docked at long finger pier w/no power.  Lots of fishermen in the area, so we decided to go for a quiet place rather than the municipal marina downtown.  Had crock pot dinner on board.

8/26    Departed at 0730 for Benton Harbor a shorter 60NM journey.  Still choppy, but again it is on the bow. We ar both getting caught up on our reading.  Nora has read three books so far and I am still working on Sarum.  Made reservations at Burnam Harbor Marina in Chicago for the layover (downtown next to Meigs Field).  Decided against Pier 33 Marina after funning aground in the approach channel (while this marina is close to town the larger boats are all berthed across the channel so it would be a water taxi/dingy ride to town- also very crowded and could be noisy).  We wound up at the City Marina know as the West Basin Marina, which is just inside the breakwater by the coast guard station.  (Had to squeeze 14 3/4 beam boat into a 15 foot slip however). It is quiet, there is a pizza restaurant nearby which we head was very good.  We peddled to town and got some deli food and had dinner on boat.

8/27    A bit foggy early.  Departed at 0800 for a 50NM across the lake trip to Chicago. Rolly but light winds.  Docked at Burnham Harbor near downtown, adjacent to Meigs Field and near the Shedd Acquarium, Planetarium and Natural History Museum.  Great view of the skyline.  Departed for KC at 8PM after cleanup.