That was relatively smooth. I set a course for St Joseph, 60 miles straight across. About half way across the wind filled in from the north as forecast, and I poked my bow into it a bit and headed for Saugatuck. Covered 94 miles in 11.5 hours and arrived in port well before sunset. Sunny, but cold out on the lake. Water temperature in the middle is around 40 F. I was happy to have heat.
This is an easy anchor stop. I anchored here just inside the breakwater. There is also space to anchor in Douglas Lake.
Today the wind in light NE and I’m cruising up the shoreline approaching South Haven. Smooth sailing today, but I may get stopped by weather in the next few days.
We launched today, and after finishing up a few things I cruised up to downtown Chicago, and am anchored here in what locals call the Play Pen for the night.
Tomorrow my plan is to head for Michigan. The weather doesn’t look great for the next week or so, but with east and north winds forecast I’m hoping I can make my way up the eastern shore.
My destination is Wiarton. No schedule, but no desire to dawdle.
It’s nice being back aboard, and even better to be underway again.
Miles drove me and a bunch of stuff to Chicago yesterday, and I’m back aboard Escapade on shore at Crowley’s. It’s good to be back aboard.
My plan is to prep and launch in the next week or so, and head for Canada. I have a lengthy to-do list, as usual…
I didn’t pursue the electric drive. I came very close to ordering the drives, then the tariff nonsense started, and I pulled back. I’ve been reevaluating any future plans for cruising in or through the US, and what that means for my boating needs and choices. My choice of power over sail was always motivated by river travel, so if that’s not part of the plan it may motivate changing to sail.
This summer I’d like to go east in Escapade. One of my favourite trips was in 2021 when I went out the St Lawrence to Nova Scotia. This year I’d like to take the north shore all the way to Labrador, then down the east coast of Newfoundland and on to Halifax. I’m not sure I want to do the whole trip solo though, and I don’t speak French. And I’m not sure I have time.
I’ve also sort of pledged to get Tin Lizzie sailing this summer. Not sure how that fits with going east. Lots of moving pieces, but they’ll get sorted in the coming weeks.
Here are a few pics of interesting boats on the docks. A Sydney 38 that I’ve always liked the look of, a Sabreline 36 hardtop that I’ve come to admire, a big Beneteau Oceanis, and a new Beneteau 36 alongside a Beneteau 36.7. interesting to see the design changes between 2000 and 2024.
We’re back at Heyford Wharf getting packed up. We travel back to Toronto tomorrow. Susan is still a post or two behind, so there will be more pictures.
Mallory joined us a couple of days ago, and we’ve had a relaxed last few days. Weather has been fabulous, though I’ve had more sun than I like this week.
Some summary numbers:
27 days gone. We moved every day.
245 miles traveled
200 locks
Fuel (propulsion & heat) 280 l / 75 gal
I feel fortunate to have done this, and am happy that Suey came along. We both really enjoyed the experience.
Here’s the one picture I took recently showing the running gear on one of these boats.
That was a stark contrast. Two days ago we were in probably the roughest area of our trip. Since then we’ve left the gritty cityscape behind and entered the countryside. The weather continues to be brilliant, sunny and comfortable. I wore shorts today.
The canal has gotten straighter and wider as well. The controlling width is now 14 ft. Easy peasy, but a little dull. Fortunately there’s always something of interest while burbling along. Lots of birds, and a few more boats and people along the canal.
We’re now here at the top of a flight of 21 locks going down into Warwick. If we’re lucky there will be volunteers to help tomorrow. We had a team take us down a short flight of 5 locks earlier today.
We’ve done the BCN loop. From Gas St to the Dudley Canal No.2, then around the Wyrley and Essington Canal to the Rushall Canal, then the Tame Valley down to where we entered Birmingham. We’re now on the Grand Union heading back towards the Oxford Canal.
These are not heavily traveled waterways. We haven’t seen another boat underway in 4 days. And some of them aren’t in the best shape, with lots of shallow areas, debris and leaky locks. We ran out of water in the canal yesterday coming down the Rushall Canal, but two Canal and River Trust (CRT) staff came by this morning and filled it up for us.
Today was another long day, with 23 locks. I’m tired.
The weather has been relentlessly pleasant. The forecast is for sun and mid-teens through the week.
Some pictures from Monday
Our favourite pictures from Tuesday
No room to move in the lock! While getting in can be tricky, on a ++ note, once there, there’s no need to tie upS
There are over 100 miles of canals that were built around Birmingham to carry coal, ores and manufactured goods. We’re exploring some of them.
Yesterday I was keen to visit the Black Country Museum, and also to go through a proper tunnel, but got a little confused in my directions. We went through the 2.9 km long Netherton Tunnel, but missed the museum. No matter. We spent the night at a nice park on the return trip, and went through the tunnel again, stopped at the museum for a bit, and continued on to Wolverhampton today. We’re tied up here and just back from a great meal in a local Indian restaurant.
Today was a locking day. We did 23 locks to climb up into the heart of Birmingham. Very interesting, but I’m tired. It’s a lot of work opening and closing the lock gates, which weigh 2-2.5 tonnes, and walking between locks to prep and close each one.
We made it to Gas St Basin and snagged a good spot. Not sure I’m going to want to move much tomorrow. Think we’ll explore the local area on foot.
Birmingham has a sprawling network of canals. It’s very cool to be coming into the heart of the city by boat.
We’re tied up at Cuckoo Wharf. I guess you can call it the city proper. We passed through a junction of 3 canals with a major highway overhead and then passed over a river on an aquaduct. All very industrial and urban.
Today was another short travel day. Yesterday we discovered a leaking fresh water system was slowly filling the boat with water, and after a consult with the rental base their problem solver Kevin met us this morning and sorted the problem and pumped us dry.
Tomorrow we head for the Gas St Basin. It’s not far, but there are 23 locks to climb.
The weather continues to be entirely acceptable. Sunny and 15C forecast highs for the next couple of days.
Lazy day today. We made a couple of stops, and fetched up here next to a lovely pub where we had dinner. Met a few colourful locals on the canal and in the pub.
This canal leads into the center of Birmingham. I’m looking forward to a bit more urban landscape, and Susan and I agree that we’ll try to spend a bit more time ashore walking and seeing the sights.
Boating Adventures 