6/5/23 - South Haven to Saugatuck Michigan - KARMA

As Renee was exiting the shower onboard last night when we were preparing for bed she again heard a 'POP' followed by the sound of spraying water....ugh.  This time it was the hot water line of the vanity that rather than coming loose, as the cold water line had previously, had busted.  The water supply lines on the shower and vanity are a bit of a MacGyver job and are a combination of old grey plastic tubing feeding into a clear tubing that Erik had put together last year when changing out to new faucets and shower controls.   We had commented that the hot water was VERY hot and that we needed to crawl under the hatch and adjust the setting but unfortunately we didn't get to that before the water essentially melted the clear plastic piping.  A quick look in our supply drawers did not produce the correct pipe to make the fix so we left the water system off and retired to bed.  

South Haven Municipal Marina
If you look very closely behind the sing you might spot Renee awaiting her cinnamon roll

Perfectly calm seas as we looked out onto the lake from the marina 

Upon awakening Erik found that there was a Menards about 1.5 miles away that opened at 6am.   Off he rode on the marina's courtesy bike to procure the needed piping.   On the way back from the store a stop off at 'Golden Brown Bakery' was a must to obtain some morning sweets.  As he entered the door to the bakery one woman was chasing a bird around the store while another was screeching with fear.  Erik removed his sweatshirt and managed to gently get it over the bird and carry it outside to be freed.  Back inside the selection of a giant, delicious looking cinnamon roll was made and much to his surprise the nice lady discounted the $5 roll down to $1 as payment for his bird catching services.   Erik thinks he may start carrying stray birds into bakeries in his coat pockets from this day forward.   

After satisfying our sweet tooth Erik made the necessary repair to the water line and was able to then get the shower that never happened for him last night.  Renee did some routing and planning for the day before shoving off of the docks around 9:30am.  The lake conditions were perfect with waves of less than 1' and softly rolling.   The sun was shining brightly and the 23.4 mile cruise averaging 9.2mph put us at the river entrance to Saugatuck before noon.  

                            Absolutely flat and comfortable cruising day out on Lake Michigan 

The Kalamazoo River meanders through some beautiful hills for about 2.5 miles back to Lake where  Saugatuck sits.  There are many gorgeous homes nestled into the hills.  About half way up the river we came upon a couple in their runabout boat paddling feverishly.   They confirmed they needed help and would greatly appreciate a tow.   Renee grabbed their line and secured to our cleat and off we tootled on up the river  the remaining 1.5 miles or so where we dropped them off at the launch where they had a trailer.   Anytime we have assisted a stranded boater they are always grateful and talk of 'owing us'.  They never owe anything aside from returning the favor to another when the need arises.   We've been there!  

One of many new or under construction homes on the Kalamazoo River 

Vacationers out for a float on a motorized tube 

Renee and Riva with the assist to the stranded boaters

We think we need a house with a boat garage under it

The latest completed Saugatuck Habitat for Humanity simple, decent, affordable home! 
LOL 

We motored over to an anchorage location recommended and reviewed by several Navionics users and dropped our anchor in six feet of water.   The water temperature in Lake Kalamazoo was 73; 20 degrees warmer than the 52 degree water we had just left behind a couple of miles ago on Lake Michigan.  Apparently 6-10 feet deep water warms way faster than 60-200 feet deep water....who'd have thunk it?!?   After a quick lunch we dropped 'Trudge' from her davits and dinghied over to Saugatuck which lies on the opposite side of the lake from our chosen anchorage (about 1/2 mile).  Riva got the privaledge of having a dock rope for a leash since we forgot hers back at the boat. 

Heading out to explore Saugatuck

As advertised by literature we had read and from fellow boaters we had spoken with the city proved to be a nice eclectic visit.  There are a plethora of neat shops, restaurants and ICE CREAM SHOPS.  We walked the many streets and visited a dozen or more shops peddling their wares.  We kept our purchases down to a new collapsible water bowl for Riva (primary bowl also accidently left back on the boat...lol), a small bag of dark chocolate covered coffee beans and an iced coffee.  As impossible as it seems we probably passed four ice cream shops without indulging!   After walking for a couple of hours we took a break and sat in the shade of a tree at a nice park on the riverbank.   The park was adjacent to 'Diane' which was touted as being the last hand operated chain ferry left in the U.S.  

Last hand operated chain ferry
wonder how the boats cruising through don't get caught on the chain??

These looked like floating container homes

Saugatuck representing its PRIDE with rainbow crosswalks as we entered town

And rainbow benches.....
And rainbow adorned flower boxes....
And our rainbow cup for our iced coffee 

Nice park that we rested our feet and legs in under a large shade tree 

A short walk back to the dinghy dock and the ride back across the lake brought us back to 'Happy Destiny' where we were greeted by two mallard ducks sitting on our swim platform.  They must be pretty used to people because they did not make their exit until we were right upon them.

Headed back home

Riva has friends!
The two mallards can be seen taking up home on our swim platform

An hour or so of relaxing in the sun and enjoying the beautiful day was followed up by dinner aboard.  Hor D'ourvres of bacon wrapped, garlic and cheese stuffed jalapenos were topped off by chicken and vege shish kabobs which had been marinating in teriyaki all day....they were delish!   

One of many old classic boats cruising by 
There was a classic boat rental shop as we entered into town

Time to Eat! 

Serene and peaceful to watch folks learn to sail

The remainder of the evening was spend enjoying the tranquility while watching small sailboats (possibly a sailing school??) and ducks go by.    

This strange globe structure was on the hill above our anchorage
We asked some local boaters that came by to chat what it was
Turns out it's a relic of The Cold War
Park of the old 'SAGE' radar/missle defense system

Map of Kalamazoo River and Lake that Saugatuck sits on

  

If you get dizzy easily don't bother watching the time-lapse video of the sunset....

It wasn't as spectacular as we had hoped anyhow 

Still a great end to another blessed day on The Loop!  

Good night