This is the top view from the strip of deserted beach that we were stranded on for 2 weather days. Not a bad view!
The second night here we made a moat around our tent because the waves were predicted to increase to 4-6 feet overnight so we were preparing ourselves. Our little strip of beach was great, but didn't allow us to go any higher up the beach to escape the waves.
The moat. Luckily it was not used by Lake Michigan.
Why yes, we are wearing matching leopard print long underwear. It was the only color they had left! This will make for some funny encounters on the beach I'm sure. As if they aren't funny enough already once people find out we are the owners of the dugout pulled up on the beach :)
Makeba pulled up in front of the Zion Nuclear Power Plant that is no longer operating.
Here is a sign that we did find on the beach though! Asbestos! We better paddle asbestos we can to get of this beach soon!
Mary trying using our Steripen to filter some water. We had just set the tent up in record time - 1 minute and 38 seconds!
Baby ducks at Southport Marina in Kenosha. Amy will kidnap 3 baby ducks by the end of this trip. At least that's Mary's prediction.
At Southport Marina we were greeted by a great new friend Scott. He was introduced to us after hearing of our tiny boat adventure. He graciously offered to help us fashion a new rudder. He has a tiny 7' boat of his own named Puck! Makeba and Puck instantly became best friends of course.
Scott is letting Makeba borrow Puck's rudder! We would need to work on a new setup to attach it to Makeba though. So it was off to the marina workshop all day!
With Scott's guidance, Mary and I were able to build a new attachment for the rudder and repair some leaks in Makeba.
Getting ready to set off in the morning with our new rudder.
Of course not before a cup of coffee though! Scott made breakfast for us on his other beautiful handmade sailboat - Northern Light. Puck would have been too small for the job of making breakfast.
Out on the water again - using these water purifiers is great! Now that we are past the steel mills and out in deep enough water, we are able to drink the same water we are paddling and sailing in.
Pulled up to Pugh Marina in Racine. They offered to keep Makeba sheltered under the gas dock because it was supposed to storm that evening. After Makeba was tied up securely, we headed into town to find the library. Libraries are a great resource for us - they allow us to upload photos and videos, charge some electronics, and they usually have air conditioning. At the library in Racine we were lucky enough to meet some great folks. A librarian, Sue took us back to her house for awhile when the rain started, and then we were invited over to Nick's house for a delightful dinner. Nick and some of his great friends showed us how great Wisconsin is. Delicious dinner, beautiful music, and great chit chatting. It was great meeting all of you!
The next morning at Pugh Marina. We arrived at 5, but the rain and storm cells on the radar kept us off the water until 8. Late start!
It was beautiful once we got going - here we are about to pass the Wind Point Lighthouse. Luckily the wind waited until we were around the point to pick up. The wind and waves picked up, so the rest of the day was very wet indeed. We were so happy to arrive at the South Milwaukee Yacht Club and be greeted with open arms. They were even having a big party that night with tons of food and fun live music. We couldn't have picked a better day to arrive! Thanks guys - since we do have quite the yacht, maybe we can still be honorary members? :)
Setting off from SMYC, the coastline of Wisconsin is lined with extremely steep cliffs. Gorgeous! Not easy to find places to stop with Makeba without a sandy beach to pull up on though.
Taking a break on the beach once we got across the long Milwaukee breakwater. While we were relaxing, a paddle boarder named Steve came up and chatted with us about the boat. He was excited about the adventure and offered to get us some lunch...of course we couldn't pass that up! So we had lunch and enjoyed hearing eachother's stories. He told us about the beaches a little ways up, so we thanked him and were off again.
As we paddled on, about 3 miles up we saw another paddle boarder coming towards us. Was it really?! It was our new pal Steve!
He wanted to do all he could to help, so knowing that it was very hot out he brought us this bag --- via paddle board. This guy is awesome. He dropped it in our boat and paddled off again into the distance.
Special paddle board delivery service : mango, watermelon, trail mix, and lemonade. All on ice.
After we received this special delivery, we were feeling pretty great about all the love we were receiving in Wisconsin. Just to add to the mix, the wind picked up slightly at the end of this day and we were able to sail a bit. Laid back and relaxing those arms!
Goodbye, Milwaukee! Hello, Port Washington today!
Scott and Mary epoxying the new rudder transome in Kenosha.
While we were working on the boat with Scott at SouthportMarina, two poeple walked up to us holding a really dorky photo of the two of us posed in front of Chicago. "Is this you?" Yes! As it turns out they were visiting their friend from New Zealand. He and his wife are setting out to do the loop this year. Be on the look out for the Loopy Kiwi! Follow thier
blog as this couple voyages around America's Great Loop!
A very pensive Amy waits out the rain in Pugh Marina. We had to wait for a small storm to pass before heading out for the day.
Beach Party at the South Milwaukee Yacht Club! We filled our plates beyond what we thought we could eat and finished it all.
"You girls can eat." Howard aka Santa another wonderful member of the SMYC.
Journaling has turned into bullet pointing these days. It's getting difficult to keep up with everything that's happening!
Just stretching it out on the boat!
Today's wind and current was a bit crazy, but we couldn't complain about the flat water!
Tight fit.
A pic of us working on the rudder in Kenosha.
