We cross our wake - Sheboygan to Chicago

Today we crossed our wake, which accoding to the AGLCA (American Great Loop Cruisers Association), is the event that defines the official moment of completing the Great Loop.  Here are the details of the final journey.

We awoke Wednesday morning to an unusual sight, five flags, four at rest in calm winds and one outstretched.  Look closely and you can see that the flag on the right is stuck to the adjacent flag pole.

Proceeding with our plan to return to Chicago for our friend's son's funeral, we departed Sheboygan early Wednesday morning (September 5) with the goal of stopping in Port Washington for the cheapest diesel fuel on Lake Michigan and then on to Milwaukee.

Morning at Sheboygan, WI

Conditions were perfect for the three hour run to Port Washington.  High overcast with a forecast for light southeast winds and a calm lake. Running at 9 MPH we arrived in Port Washington at 10:30 AM. where we took on 215 gallons of diesel at $3.93 per gallon.

An hour later, at 11:30, we departed Port Washington and headed for Milwaukee.  Two hours after that, just north of our destination, we changed our plan and decided to bypass Milwaukee and proceed to Racine approximately 30 miles to the south. 

Windpoint Light just north of Racine Harbor

We arrived at Racine's Reef Point Marina at 4:45 PM.  This second 46 mile segment took approximately five and a half hours.  Except for the last two hours when seas picked up a bit (1 to 3), the trip was on a calm waters.  The total miles for the day were 74 and the total time on the water just under 9 hours.

Guided Discovery at Reefpoint Marina in Racine Wisconsin

Following a walk into town with the Furry Kid, we had dinner at Waves, another one of our favorite restaurants.  (Note: In our 11 seasons of Lake Michigan cruising we have many favorite ports and restaurants).

Diana, Kodi and Les in front of Waves

On Thurday morning we awoke to a perfect morning, sunny with unlimited visibility and 10 to 15 MPH offshore winds out of the northwest.  With offshore winds the lake would be perfect for a cruise to Chicago.  We checked the weather forecast which suggested that Thursday was a weather window and that conditions for the next week would not be as good.  We decided to end our cruise with a final leg to Chicago.

Morning on the final day or four Great loop Adventure

Departing at 7:30 AM, we proceeded south at our favorite 9 MPH cruising speed.  
 

Enjoying the final cruise to Chicago before the flies arrived

Everything would have been perfect for this final cruise had it not been for the flies.  The 10 MPH north wind at our back and our similar southerly speed resulted in no air movement on the boat.  This in combination with our closeness to shore attracted the flies.  Interestingly, we have screens for our camper canvas, which, had we employed them at the trip's start, would have kept the flies out.  Hindsight is 20/20.

Diana and Kodi solved the problem by going below and watching TV (at least Diana did).  I toughed it out, after putting on long pants, and stayed at the helm.  The camper screens work best when you employ them at the first signs of investation.  Fly infestations, at least from my experience, are a Lake Michigan phenomenon.  We did not encounter a fly problem of this magnitute during the 6,150 miles of our Great Loop adventure.

Side story:  In 1984 I bought my first boat, a 38 ft Hatteras FBDC (Fly Bridge Double Cabin).  Unable to get a slip in Chicago, I found a nice one in Michigan City, 45 miles southeast of Chicago by water (and 90 minutes by car).  I took delivery of the boat, which was berthed in Burnham Harbor, and cruised to Michigan City on a lovely early summer day with my Ex and 1 year old daughter.  About 5 miles out the flies arrived, apparently for a convention.  In short order, the boat was literally covered with aggressive flies.  We abandoned the flybridge and proceed into the cabin.  Fortunately, the boat had dual controls and could be operated from the cabin.  Unfortunately, we had left the cabin door open.  For the next three hours we killed flies.  Surprisingly as we got close to Michigan City the flies departed.  By the time we docked the flies were gone.  This first boating experience on Lake Michigan left me wondering if this is what Lake Michigan boating was all about.  The good news.  Except for today's trip south from Racine, I never experienced a similar fly problem.

At 10:25 AM the skyline of Chicago appeared on the horizon.

Chicago ahead.  We are almost home

At 12:25 PM we passed the Bahai Temple, a prominent Lake Michigan landmark.  We were now less than 10 miles from home.

Bahai Temple

At 1:25 PM we turned west into Belmont Harbor.

Pulling into Belmont Harbor - almost home

Slip I-24 is just off the starboard bow

And 5 minutes later at 1:30 PM, we pulled into our slip and officially, after 6,150 miles and 442 days on the water, crossed our wake and completed the Great Loop.

We did it!!!!!!!!

Final Phase II Statistics (Branford CT to Chicago IL):

• 1,580    Miles Traveled - July 2 to September 6, 2012
•    953    Total Gallons Used
•    1.66   MPG Fuel Efficiency
•      72    Locks
•      45    Cities Visited

Final Great Loop Statistics (Chicago to Chicago):

• 6,151   Total Miles - October 3, 2010 to September 6, 2012 
• 5,792   Total Gallons of Diesel Used
•      99   Total Locks
• $3.72   Average Cost of Fuel
•   1.06   MPG Fuel Efficiency
•   442    Days on the Great Loop
• $212    Average Cost Per Day
•   135    Cities Visited
•     11    States and Provinces Visited

Financial Statistics (Chicago to Chicago):

• $21,351  Fuel
• $33,775  Dockage
• $14,879  Repairs
• $22,194  Maintenance
• $  1,488  Misc. Boat Related Purchases
• $93,689  Total Expenditure

Guided Discovery at home in Belmont Harbor

After 23 months and 3 days Guided Discovery was finally back in her slip and we were back in our favorite city.

After securing the boat (which required getting out our heavy 50 ft 50 AMP extention cord) Diana, Kodi and I walked home from Belmont Harbor (3 miles) stopping at another favorite restaurant, the Basil Leaf on Clark Street, for a lovely mid afternoon dinner.   A fitting end to a spectacular experience.

Written by Les