Friday, September 29, 2006

Sorry, we've been out of touch

On Tuesday, we made it to St. Joseph. We stayed at St. Joseph, MI. for several days due to a big cold front that was coming in. The marina (West Basin Municipal) was very nice and the staff were very helpful. They even gave us a "late season discount" on the price of the slip.
We did some shopping at Wolf's Marine. They picked us up at the marina and drove us back. It's worth the stop at St. Joe just to go to Wolf's. Think "warehouse shopping" for boat stuff. Really neat. I bought myself an inflatable life jacket/harness like the one Bev has. At last I have something I will actually wear.
We ran into fellow sailor Dave, from "Golden Heart." We met Dave at White Lake. St. Joe is his home port. He drove us to the grocery store and back. Thanks, Dave!
This morning we slogged our way another 24 miles down the lake to New Buffalo. The good news is that we're now only 40 miles from Chicago. The bad news is that this "boater friendly" city closed its municipal marina for the season on Sept 15, and the only other marina in town charges $2.50 per foot per night, and then has the nerve to charge extra for internet access. We were lucky to run into the harbormaster at the municipal and he let us tie up, but there's no water, no showers, etc. He did let us use the electricity.
N.B. to all boaters - DO NOT COME to New Buffalo. It is NOT a boater-friendly town. Any town that is supposed to be a "harbor of refuge" and closes its marina on Sept 15 is not "boater-friendly" in my book.
At least all we need now is one more good day. If we get a really good weather day we can sail the 40 miles to Chicago. We have to be there before Oct. 15, because that's when Chicago marinas all close for the season. Wish us luck.

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