GLORY DAYS ON THE GREAT LOOP: CROSSING THE LAKE

DAY 88-93 THURS. SEPT 1-6, 2011
AM FOGGY COOL WIND < 5K PM WIND < 5K SUNNY 95* HHH.
DEP. ST. JOE 07:00 ARR HAMMOND IN. 1:15.
D. 61.1sm / 1709.6

As we were getting ready to leave a huge ship backed its way out of the harbor and into Lake Michigan. This was a surprise as I couldn’t see where it came from, but there were some very industrial looking areas further into the harbor from us. Needless to say, we waited for him to clear the channel before we departed. When we cleared the breakwater we set our course for Michigan City, pour next scheduled stop befor crossing the lake to Hammond. About 10 mins into the course, Pat suggested that since it was so nice why don’t we skip Mich. City and head straight to Hammond. This would double the distance we planned to travel in one day, but save us about 10 miles by not stopping. So, Hammond is where the boat is as we speak. The biggest challenge in the 61 miles crossing was staying awake. Seas were flat, there was no boat traffic, and the auto pilot did all the steering. All we had to do was watch out for other boats and stay awake. We took turns at the helm, and turns napping.

Hammond is a large very industrial area that produced much of the steel we now import from China. It is typical of so many once booming industrial cities like Lowell, Lawrence, Fall River, Pawtucket, Gloversville, etc. that supported a large population of working class people, gainfully employed, who are now unemployed. The one last chance to recover is the Horseshoe Casino which is right next to the Hammond Marina and appears to be the only thriving business in the area. We are scheduled to fly out on Tues. Sept 6. And return on Tues. Sept. 13. for doctor’s appointments. In the meantime we had good friends April and Don Mulley, who I worked with in 1968 and now live in W. Chicago for a visit. It was great to see them and talk about our most important accomplishment, grandkids. While in Hammond we rented a car and drove into Chicago several times. We enjoyed the Navy pier one day, the planetarium on another, and attended a Chicago Pizza party for Loopers at the beautiful home of fellow loopers, Ellen & Woody Sutton. Tues. we flew home