Saturday, August 25, 2012

Kalamazoo River exiting Saugatuck, MI

Anchoring in Kalamazoo Lake last night was interesting.  We were so tired we went to bed early while the Battle of the Bands raged on in two different marinas simultaneously.  One band stopped playing around 9:00 PM and the other continued with some soft jazz which was very pleasant.  It was hot and we had all the doors, hatches and windows screened and open.  

Around 10:00 PM when I was just on the edge of sleep, I saw a bright light sweep across the aft cabin ceiling.  I mentioned this to the sleeping Captain who told me to stop talking and go to sleep.  I closed my eyes but the light continued and I got out of bed and looked out and saw what looked like headlights.  There's no road nearby and I was mumbling to myself and the Captain told me to forget about the lights and go to sleep.  Then the blue light came through the window along with the sweeping search light.  After a knock on the hull and "Is anyone in there?" we thought the marine police were outside.

Ralph responded that we were here and was asked by the Saugatuck Sheriff to please come outside.  It was then Ralph remembered he had not put on the anchor light.  He quickly dressed and went outside and no anchor light is why the Sheriff came by.  We turned the anchor light on, the Sheriff  departed, the music stopped, and we fell asleep.

Today we weighed anchor at 7:00 AM and as we went out the Kalamazoo River, I took photos of the beautiful houses I neglected to capture yesterday.  It really is a pretty area.  Lake Michigan was smoother today and we traveled 40 miles, arriving at the entrance to the St. Joseph River which divides the cities of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor.  It was 85 degrees and there are no anchorages in the area.  We were fortunate to get the very last slip in West Basin Marina.  We tied up and immediately put on the AC.

The marina has a laundry (and you know how I love doing laundry) very close to our slip with a large capacity washer and dryer at no charge and they even provided us with high efficiency detergent.  I did the wash and Ralph washed the boat which was in dire need of a good cleaning.  We thought about going into town, but realized we'd have to walk a mile to the bridge, then cross the river into town.  Neither of us wanted to walk in this heat, so once again we decided to just hang in and relax. Here are a few photos from today:

Homes along the Kalamazoo River

Saugatuck has a hand-operated chain ferry that takes passengers across the channel

This river boat runs tours around Kalamazoo Lake

Dawn on the Kalamazoo River

One of the beautiful homes in Saugatuck

Riverfront homes in Saugatuck

The Matt Allen tug

A calmer Lake Michigan

Hugging the shore heading south on Lake Michigan

St. Joseph River divides St. Joe and Benton Harbor

Welcome to St. Joe

Contacting the Harbor Master at West Basin