DAYS 85-90 : Saugatuck to Hammond IN

Crossing Lake Michigan
Saugatuck to Hammond: 12.1 mph; 97.8 miles; 8:04 hours

09/13/21: Monday: 2-6 kt winds; 0.5-2 ft waves - leave for Hammond, IN 
LIES - LIES - LIES - those were 3 foot waves and the wind was from the SOUTH at 10-15 kts the whole day. Is there some kid just making stuff up to put on weather apps? 

If I have learned anything about the weather on Lake Michigan, it is this: You read what ‘professionals’ have forecasted; then merge all the data from various underground weather-geek-websites to predict possible scenarios, and try to figure out Lake Michigan's mood. Once you have done all that - KNOW that the lake just does what she pleases; she might pivot mid-day to show you something new. Fickled wench...

Hammond Port Authority Marina, Indiana
$45/day or $270/week - non refundable; fuel; water, showers/bathrooms; coin-operated laundry; Horseshoe Casino (actually considered a riverboat that doesn’t move).

At first glance, there isn't much to write home about. From the water, it’s surrounded by industry.

THE VIBE 
Once inside the breakwater, I decided to give the marina a real chance; We have been boating for eight hours and will be here seven days for boat maintenance and to visit Chicago. 

The Marina is larger than what we've been seeing since Lakes Huron and St Clair River, 900+ slips, minus the ‘Dukes of Hazards’ like in Detroit. It’s an older marina. There are lots of shower houses with more spiders than I can count, a coin-operated laundry with windows that open plus ceiling fans to rid the smell, and it’s gated with a key card. Did I mention the spiders? The amount of spiders is unreal - I counted 34 in ONE shower house. The neighboring casino was built on six barges and connects to the fuel dock; both the casino and marina have 24 hr security, and there is a constant police presence - so I feel safe.

I can see why Loopers stay here; it’s close to the Calumet and Chicago Rivers, cheap enough to stay and provision your boat before the river system, close to a facility that will un-step a mast, and roomy docks for docktails.

The marina is 17 miles from downtown Chicago, has a ship store, owns 2 square miles including a beachfront next to the marina, a 7 mile bike trail, and hosts a number of summer festivals/events like Pierogifest and Festival of the Lakes. 

We slipped into R Dock and it ROCKS! We'll ask for this dock again if we are ever back this way. These boaters are from all walks and so welcoming. They treated us like we’d known them for years. Ask around for Marianne the Fairy and Lisa from Irish Vixen! 

FINAL TAKE ON THE MARINA
With all the spiders and overwhelming security, I did like this marina and would choose it again if we were staying for a long period of time. 

If we had provisioned for the river system in Michigan, and were just making and quick stop in the Chicago area, I would have chosen Dusable Harbor ($2.50-$4.75/ft) because of it's perfect location to downtown Chicago and the mouth of the river system.

PROVISIONING YOUR BOAT: HAMMOND IN
DAYLIGHT: You can walk to Walmart and Uber/Lyft back. When you leave the marina go to the right and you'll see a sidewalk along the off-ramp. After walking the ramp, cut across the grass area and Walmart is right there. Lyft/$10

PERSONAL GROOMING: HAMMOND IN
DAYLIGHT: BARBER & NAILS: Leave the marina going left, walk past the casino until there is a turn in the road, you’ll see the railroad crossing on your right, look both ways then cross the tracks, walk through the neighborhood (like 2 blocks), and you’ll come to a Dunkin’ Doughnuts intersection. Across the street is a NAIL SALON! A GOOD ONE! If you turn left at the intersection and walk a little ways, you’ll find a BARBER SHOP!

ABOUT THE CASINO: HAMMOND IN
The casino has a ‘food eatery’: pizza, hamburgers, pork chops, Foo (not to be confused with Pho), and sandwiches. They also schedule live concerts and shows: Charlie Wilson, Boys II Men, and an annual Blues Festival. For sports fans, the casino has those big ol’seats to watch the game. With some planning, you might be able to make this all work. 

More about Chicago in a following blog.

FRIEND FROM HOME
John Zorich is back! He’s traveling from Wisconsin and joined us for the evening! Love spending time with JZ!


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