Integrity Cruise

Day 138: Holland to South Haven, Michigan

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Day 138: Saturday, September 3rd: [NOTE: On Wednesday, August 31st, we rented a car and drove to Ft. Wayne, Indiana to visit Ruth's family. We returned Friday night, September 2nd so there are no loop logs for those days. We had a lot of fun in Ft. Wayne, however.]

This morning we went grocery shopping and turned in the rental car we used to go to Ft. Wayne and then got underway. Since it was late, we made a short run (about 25 miles) down to South Haven, MI. The north wind and resulting seas built up from the north, and it was pretty bumpy when we turned into the South Haven channel.

This being Labor Day weekend, the people and boats were out in droves. Folks around here treat this weekend as the end of the summer and make one big last weekend of it. They were all over the breakwater wall. Here's a good look at the harbor lighthouse:

And here is the welcome sign. Gotta document where we are:

This little town has marina space for hundreds of transient boats. It's a good thing because we got the very last slip available at the South Haven Municipal Marina. It's a very nice facility with all the amenities in a new building:

It being a holiday, there were several bands performing at the marina. Some were pretty good, others not. We guessed they were all from nearby:

Among the dozens of little fishing boats and small day cruisers was this windjammer. It had just come into port:

Ruth walked down to the huge beach for a little sun. She went by the seawall guarding the harbor entrance and got this picture of the "high water walkway" leading to the lighthouse:

The beach was very popular today:

That northerly breeze had all kinds of sports going on; this kite was particularly impressive:

A sport that was new to us, called "wind skiing," was underway. First, a small air tube on these sail-like forms is inflated to give the sail form:

The skier dons a harness to connect to the sail. The harness has a set of controls, sort of like a skydiver. Yes, that's a guy:

A helper holds the sail while the skier gets it flying:

He flies it up and toward the water:

Flying it high overhead minimizes pull. Obviously, you have to learn how to maneuver the thing:

The helper brings a board that looks like an oversized wakeboard or undersized surfboard with foot boots like a water ski. The skier gets into the board and off he goes!

The partner flies his sail next:

He goes into the water:

And he sails out:

It appeared to be a lot of fun, but requiring skill beyond windsurfing, sailing or any similar sport. The skiers said their legs get very tired! No wonder!

A little later, we noticed this pretty carriage and team of matched horses riding folks from town down to the beach and back. The driver stopped to let us get a picture:

We had a quiet supper on board, checked email and turned in. We had been unable to find a marina with available space for tomorrow so we decided we would stay here until Monday.

Position tonight: N42 24.196 W086 16.641

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