Category: U.S. Inland

Loopers, listen up! If you’re looking for marinas, stops along the Great Loop or detailed cruising resources, Southern Boating’s U.S. Inland destination section is right for you. Whether it’s the Great Loop or just a great lake, Southern Boating has the information you need to make your trip successful.

How to Explore Door County Wisconsin Where Adventure & Fun Await!

An Open Door

Step into Door County Wisconsin’s “thumb” where history, beautiful landscapes, and awesome food make it worth the visit.

Wisconsin is known for many things, and I’m not only referring to “cheese heads” and the Green Bay Packers. It’s “America’s Dairyland,” home of the first ice cream sundae. It also has one of four spots that marks the center of the globe—the intersection of the 45th parallel of latitude North and the 90th meridian of longitude West is halfway between the geographical north pole and the equator as well as between the Prime Meridian and the 180th meridian. 

Fun facts, indeed, but Wisconsin is also known for its diverse ecosystem, from prairie and grasslands to temperate forests, wetlands, and coastal environments. There’s also plenty of water, as the state has more than 1,000 miles of coastline along Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, 43,000 miles of rivers, and more than 15,000 lakes. One of the most ecologically rich and diverse environments is found on the Door Peninsula. 

Glacial Geography

Carved out by glaciers, the Door Peninsula (often described by Wisconsinites as “the thumb” in the state’s shape), is part of the Niagara Escarpment, a geological occurrence, simply speaking, formed by erosion that creates a ridge with a gentle slope on one side and a steep cliff on the other. The Door Peninsula is a section of that ridge with exposed dolomite rock cliffs 200-250 feet high coming off a sloping terrain. 

The soils are shallow in the northern half and richen toward the south where most farmland exists, but there’s an abundant variety of woodlands, plants, and wildlife everywhere. There’s a white cedar tree on the west side escarpment that is more than 600 years old. More than 300 bird species, and white-tail deer, black bears, and more are seen on the peninsula.

Fishing is a staple in the waters surrounding the peninsula with whitefish being the primary catch for the commercial fishing industry, but trout, sturgeon, bass, salmon, walleye, and northern pike swim the waters. Montmorency cherries are a big crop, and the Ridges Sanctuary off Baileys Harbor on the Lake Michigan side is home to 25 species of orchids. The Yellow Lady’s Slipper orchid blooms freely around the peninsula and is Door County’s official flower. 

Death’s Door and the Islands

Thirty-five islands sit off Door County peninsula as the escarpment runs up toward Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but only Washington Island is large enough to support a year-round community. Residents and visitors can take the car ferry across “Death’s Door,” the five-mile passage between the tip of the peninsula and the island, or transit via their own boat. Kaps Marina is located next to the ferry terminal and accommodates boats to 60 feet (with one spot able to handle a 100-footer), has fuel, power, and general services, including a restaurant. On the other side of Detroit Harbor is the Shipyard Island Marina that also offers service and repairs.  

More than 275 shipwrecks happened in the waters around the peninsula

Death’s Door is the primary navigational passage from Lake Michigan to Green Bay and has many stories to tell. Legends speak of Potawatomi and Winnegabo Indians losing life when the weather turned bad, capsizing canoes and stranding some on the rocky shores which led to the designation Porte des Morts (Gate of the Dead) by French explorers and later to Death’s Door, of which the Door Peninsula got its name. The strait became more well-known and documented for its rough waters that wreaked havoc during the early shipping days, especially with sailing ships. More than 275 shipwrecks happened in the waters around the peninsula, and in 1881, the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal was built to avoid the passage.

The Door County Maritime Museum has three locations to keep the shipping history in the present. In the Sturgeon Bay location, visitors get the chance to steer a freighter through the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, albeit via a life-size wheelhouse with a virtual screen. 

Recreation in Door County, Wisconsin

Door County is full of fun during every season. From cross-country skiing in the winter to golf in the summer, there’s plenty to do, including a summertime experience like no other: fish boils. The tradition started back with the Scandinavian settlers as a way to feed large groups. The basic process of boiling salted water, potatoes, and onions in a large pot over an open fire before adding Lake Michigan whitefish and “boiling over” the fish oil before serving is a sight to see. 

There are five state parks and 19 county parks in Door County. Dolomite/limestone ledges and caves are highlights at Cave Point County Park. The lighthouses are always a favorite as is Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park. Unobstructed, panoramic views of the surrounding islands, Green Bay, and Michigan’s Upper

Peninsula are seen from the 60-foot tower on Eagle Bluff. The park also features a scenic 18-hole golf course, bike trails, the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, nature centers, and more. 

Once a year, Fincantieri, one of the world’s largest and most diverse shipbuilders, opens its Sturgeon Bay shipbuilding yard to the public. The guided tour showcases the enormity of constructing and maintaining the Great Lakes fleet, including cargo ships, barges, ferries, and offshore support vessels. The 63-acre yard launched the 639-foot freighter Mark W. Barker last October, the first U.S.-flagged freighter built on the Great Lakes in almost 40 years.

Sturgeon Bay is also the home of Marine Travelift where the fist mobile boat hoist was designed and manufactured back in the 1940s. By 2010, they delivered the world’s largest mobile boat hoist at 1,102 tons (1,000 metric tons). From a small town in Wisconsin, Marine Travelift is a global manufacturer of innovative boat hoists, lifts, and transporters.

Culinary Delights 

I spent one early morning watching Baileys Harbor Fish Company pull whitefish from trap nets. The Hickey Family has been working the Door County waters since the mid-1800s with the use of gill and pond nets starting in the early 1900s. The fish caught this morning would be my dinner that evening.

My days don’t start without coffee, and a visit to the Door County Coffee & Tea Company was in order. The family-owned business does all the roasting, packing, and shipping in house, which also has a café and store. A stand-out dish at breakfast was the Hash Bake, a savory blend of cubed, skin-on potatoes, sour cream, butter, creamy mushroom soup, and, you guessed it, cheddar cheese. Blended with a few cups of Death’s Door Coffee, that cold morning fishing trip was a warm memory.

The White Gull Inn, a historic bed and breakfast on the Green Bay shore in Fish
Creek, was the host for the evening’s fish boil. Salt was the only spice used in this combination of potatoes, onions, and whitefish, and with the addition of lemon, melted butter, coleslaw, homemade bread, and cherry pie at the table, this was a fun meal.

If you make it back to Fish Creek for another dinner, don’t miss the creations of Chef Chris Wiltfang at Skaliwags. Chef creates a food experience like no other because of his South Georgia charm blended with local seafood, steaks, and custom-made dishes.

Across from the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay is Sonny’s Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria. The second-floor view of the historic Sturgeon Bay Bridge and SkipperBud’s Harbor Club Marina add to the restaurant’s waterfront ambience, and the pizzas are awesome.

Cheese is a major food source in Wisconsin, so a stop at Renard’s Artisan Cheese is pretty much required. Door County’s oldest cheese store and bistro is in the hands of Master Cheesemaker Chris Renard, the third generation to craft the family recipes his father and grandfather perfected. Chris and Ann Renard also craft more than 50 flavor-infused specialty cheeses. The Honey Truffle grilled melt is incredible.

So Much More

Fish Creek has a quaint main street with galleries, boutiques, bars, and restaurants. I checked out the Cana Cove Surf Company in a repurposed old Quonset hut that features shaped, fiberglass surf and stand-up paddleboards by owner Matt Olsen. It’s a surprise to many, but surfing is alive on the Great Lakes and takes an entirely new technique to ride the short, choppy-type sets.

The Baileys Harbor Yacht Club Resort was a perfect base for my stay
as it is about halfway up the peninsula, so everything is within a quick drive. After all,
the peninsula is only about 18 miles across and the tip is about 43 miles from Sturgeon Bay. Whether cruising the Great Lakes or following the Great Loop, don’t miss Door County, Wisconsin.  

-by Steve Davis

Read More Travel Tips Here

Boating on Lake Superior

Boating on Lake Superior

Save the best for last on your Great Loop journey. Try your hand at boating on Lake Superior.

The northern segment of the Great Loop route on the U.S./Canada border encompasses four of the five Great Lakes: Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Michigan. For some “Loopers,” however, cruising this far without exploring Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, would be like a road trip through the western U.S. without seeing the Grand Canyon; the experience would be incomplete. Here’s why you must go boating on Lake Superior.

Most Loopers plan to complete the Great Loop in a single calendar year. However, Fort Myers, Florida-based Mike and Deb Hervey added another two years and hundreds of miles to their itinerary in order to fully explore Lake Superior’s Canadian and U.S. shores. We caught up with the Herveys who, as of press time, were still on their multi-year Great Loop adventure in the Kentucky Lakes aboard Carousel, a 1999 42-foot Grand Banks Europa.

According to the Herveys and others who cruised all five of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior was an essential part of their Great Loop journey and appropriately named for many reasons. Lake Superior’s shoreline consists of three geographical categories: the Canadian shore, the Wisconsin and Michigan shore, and what’s commonly referred to as the North Shore—from the city of Duluth at the lake’s far western point to the Canadian border along the Minnesota shoreline.

Superior Loopers

To take the Lake Superior diversion, Loopers cruising from east to west will navigate in northwest Lake Huron to the St. Marys River and St. Marys Falls Canal that lead to the Soo Locks, which bypass the river’s rapids that fall over the 21-foot elevation difference between Lake Superior and the lower lakes. Recreational and tour boats use the smaller lock on the Canadian side, and commercial ships use the two large locks on the U.S. side.

The city of Sault Ste. Marie spans both sides of the U.S./Canada border, and the Herveys recommend docking at one of the marinas on the Ontario side to stock up on provisions before locking through to Lake Superior. “Once you get twenty to thirty miles north of Sault Ste. Marie on the Canadian side, there are very few harbors,” says Mike. He adds that they lost cell phone reception on the Canadian shore and even VHF reception was sketchy. “Everything is bigger, so the distance between harbors is more than what most cruisers are used to,” he says, noting that most boaters will be more comfortable cruising the U.S. shore, but for Loopers who crave the remoteness and wild beauty it offers, the raw and untamed Canadian coastline more than satisfies.

Superior Weather

Regardless of which shoreline cruisers choose to explore, the one thing they have in common is a proclivity to changing weather. Experienced boaters know that monitoring the weather before and while cruising is key to staying safe. The Herveys say this is especially true on Lake Superior where atmospheric conditions can change more rapidly than what they encountered on the other Great Lakes.

In addition to storms with rain, lightning, and high waves, it’s not uncommon for dense fog to roll in like a blanket and cover the lake, especially in June. “Weather forecasts are not as accurate as they are on the East Coast. Boaters have to keep a good eye on the weather and take with a grain of salt the wave height prediction,” says Mike, who strongly recommends utilizing resources from the Great Lakes Cruising Club. The club provides up-to-date harbor reports on more than 1,000 harbors and anchorages throughout the Great Lakes.

Superior Islands

Although it’s geographically closer to Canada and the northern Minnesota shoreline, Isle Royale National Park, an archipelago of more than 400 islands, is actually part of Michigan. The Herveys say the charts are not quite as accurate as what they experienced firsthand, but the pristine water, raw nature, and seeing the animals that come down to the water to drink while you’re at anchor is well worth the visit. Overnight boaters need a permit whether they’re at the dock or at anchor, and it’s recommended to request a permit at nps.gov prior to your arrival.

Looking for another type of National Park? Check out these National Marine Sanctuaries.

On Wisconsin’s shore, the Apostle Islands, also part of the U.S. National Park Service, offer a spectacular view both above and below the water, so slow your speed to take it all in. According to the Herveys, if boating on Lake Superior, there are very few well-protected bays for those inclined to anchor. However, the nearby town of Bayfield offers several nice marinas. Of special note is the largest of the Apostle Islands, Madeline Island, and its only town, La Pointe. The population, which increases significantly in the summer months, never loses its small-town feel. You’ll find The Madeline Island Yacht Club, a full-service marina, here. During the winter months, La Pointe’s year-round residents access the mainland via windsled across the ice. Some use a hovercraft with skis. Others drive on an ice road when the ice is thick enough to sustain the weight of vehicles.

Superior Scenery

Boating Lake Superior offers cruisers the chance to see the Aurora Borealis.

On Lake Superior, it’s nearly impossible to choose the best scenic attraction. But, most would agree that the shoreline to the west of the Apostle Islands is a strong contender. Caves cut into rocky red bluffs topped with evergreen trees line the shore. In the summer, kayakers explore the caves when the lake is calm. In winter, when the lake is frozen, hikers are treated to icicles hanging from the cave ceiling that glimmer like diamonds in the frosty light. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising, Michigan, offers a stunning landscape of beautiful sandstone cliffs. It’s a natural attraction that draws visitors every season during the year. If you carry kayaks aboard your vessel, you’ll definitely want to use them here.

Don’t miss the scenic Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a great place to kayak.

Boating on Lake Superior offers a special visual treat. The most outstanding scenic attraction is in the night sky, where the majesty and mystery of creation shows its handiwork as if by magic. Aurora borealis, or northern lights, are strongest in the fall and winter but can appear on Lake Superior year-round. Your best chance to watch them dance across the sky is away from any city lights and late on a clear night with no moonlight. Turn off any artificial light, let your eyes adjust to the darkness, look toward the north, and wait. They are unpredictable, which is part of what’s so rewarding when they do appear. Don’t take it for granted. Witnessing this miracle of nature is a gift that most have never seen with their own eyes.

Superior Towns

Boaters enjoy this is an image of Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Bayfield, Wisconsin, is a worthy boating destination on its own. The town offers quaint shops with homemade jams and local artisan-created crafts. Shuttle buses run from the marina to Big Top Chautauqua, a big circus tent that hosts music performances. Across the lake, Grand Marais, Minnesota, is another small town worth a stop. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has many charming villages that are walkable and fun to explore, such as Copper Harbor on the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The Herveys prefer the small towns for their strong sense of history and welcoming culture. However, the larger towns have a lot to offer as well. “Marquette has a farmers market next to the marina for provisioning,” says Mike. Loopers with enough time and budget should definitely make the journey to the westernmost point on Lake Superior. Head to the port city of Duluth, Minnesota, if only to see one of the few remaining aerial lift bridges, which was built in 1905.

Take a ride on the Algoma Central Railway.

Commercial ships travel through the Duluth Ship Canal and under the bridge to the inner harbor. Canal Park has many restaurants. A favorite visitor pastime is a stroll along the canal, especially when ships enter or depart. After you’ve explored Lake Superior to your heart’s content and are on your way back to Lake Huron to resume the Loop, stop again in Sault Ste. Marie to take the one-day train ride north on the Algoma Central Railway Train Excursion. According to the Herveys, it was a highlight of their trip and a great way to see some of the Canadian countryside.

You might even say the experience was superior.

By Liz Pasch, Southern Boating August 2019

Great Loop Waterways

Great Loop Waterways

If you’re in the midst of planning your own Great Loop adventure, take note of these river-lakes on or accessible from these Great Loop waterways.

All who have cruised the Great Loop Waterways—the system comprising the eastern half of the United States that enables one to circumnavigate by water—have a list of their favorite spots they added for a variety of reasons: picturesque views, fascinating history, friendly people, fabulous food, or simply serene cruising areas.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the notable expanses of water, where the river transforms into a lake that’s long and broad. Check out these Great Loop Waterways.

Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, Kentucky

From the Ohio River at Paducah, Kentucky, southbound Loopers have the option of taking the Tennessee River or Cumberland River, both of which require passing through a lock. Although it adds several miles to the journey, many cruisers opt for the Cumberland River due to the potential for lock delays from commercial traffic on the Tennessee River.

Barkley Lock opens up on the south side to Lake Barkley. Just past the lock to starboard is Green Turtle Bay Resort & Marina, with all the services cruisers need plus great dining options for a break from the galley, including not-to-be-missed Patti’s 1880s Settlement; order the pork chop and pie.

Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake are connected by the Barkley Canal that enables cruisers to enjoy boating on both lakes. The canal that separates the two lakes is on the north end of a long peninsula called Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

Check your charts and depth gauge and explore the coves; some have waterfalls inside. This beautiful area is best in the fall when the hardwoods explode with color and southbound cruisers can extend their enjoyment of peak fall foliage for several weeks. Don’t miss this scenic spot on the Great Loop Waterways.

Lake Champlain, Vermont

Northbound cruisers transiting from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes have several route options depending on their bridge clearance requirements, time schedule and what they want to see, and there are pros and cons for each. The route through New York Harbor and the Hudson River to Waterford, New York, continues through the Champlain Canal and leads to Lake Champlain, also known as the Adirondacks’ Great Lake.

Lake Champlain is a boating mecca, but its large size leaves plenty of room for everyone (125 miles long, 14 miles wide, 64 feet average depth). Even so, there are many bays and coves to anchor for a quiet evening, while on shore, quaint towns offer dining options galore plus farmers markets to provision locally grown produce and products nearly any day of the week.

In towns and villages on both sides of the lake—New York and Vermont—lovers of history, art and music will find a wealth of events and venues to pique their interest, including
museums, art galleries, concerts, antique shops, festivals, and celebrations.

Lake Pepin, Minnesota

Although the upper Mississippi is not part of the Great Loop route, there are a fair number of Loopers from the upper Midwest who start their Great Loop cruise in Minnesota.
There are also some who want to cruise all five of the Great Lakes, so they cruise to the far western end of Lake Superior and have their boat hauled in Duluth and transported to the Mississippi River south of the Twin Cities to continue their Great Loop journey. In addition to bragging rights of cruising all five of the Great Lakes, Loopers will also pass through all the locks on the Mississippi River, providing they choose that route rather than the Tenn-Tom Waterway.

Lake Pepin is the widest, naturally occurring expanse of the entire Mississippi River and is located south of the Minnesota town of Red Wing (Lock 3). Lake Pepin is a favorite boating destination and cruising ground for many, and picturesque in all seasons, especially the fall when both sides of the lake are flaming with autumn colors. Sailing is common in the summer months, and the Lake City municipal marina welcomes transient cruisers. Pepin City, Wisconsin, hosts a small theater group, and the Mediterranean-style winery, Villa Bellezza, is close by.

Trent-Severn Waterway, Canada

This chain of lakes, rivers, and locks really deserves a feature article of its own—look for this in a future issue—but it would be a disservice not to include it here, too. Loopers on
the northern part of the counter-clockwise route who choose to bypass Lake Erie enter the Trent-Severn Waterway at Trenton on the Bay of Quinte on the east end of Lake Ontario, and they exit at Port Severn on Georgian Bay of Lake Huron.

The 240-mile-long waterway offers a plethora of experiences too lengthy to include here, but those who have experienced this route report they’re eager to repeat their Loop experience if only to spend more time exploring this area alone.

There are, of course, many more lakes, rivers, channels, and detours on the Great Loop waiting to be explored. If you’ve completed or are in the process of cruising the Great Loop, we’d love to hear about your favorite Great Loop Waterways. Email sbletters@southernboating.com.

By Liz Pasch, Southern Boating January 2019

Park City, Utah

Our planet offers seemingly endless boating destinations, each of which provides a different experience. Consequently, I prefer to visit new places just once. The few times I’ve taken repeat trips, the experience never quite compares with the first. Perhaps the marina, resort or nearby town has become rundown, or the exact opposite has happened and became overdeveloped.

Maybe the owners of my favorite, quaint coffee shop or eating spot succumbed to the lure of big money offered by the big chains in big cities. Or maybe it’s just that no repeat experience can compare with the first one; sometimes memories have a way of doing that. But, if the scenery is completely different from your
home port and has a stunningly grand landscape that changes with the seasons, repeat visits at different times of year offer colorful layers to your initial experience. These are the kinds of experiences that motivate people to uproot from their current lives and move across the country. Park City, Utah, is one such place with the capacity to do just that.

Each season in Park City offers its own set of larger-than-life outdoor experiences, all of which benefit from the Wasatch Mountain Range as a backdrop. Here’s a list of what
to do, see, eat, and drink in every season. The list is far from complete, however, because we want to leave something for you to discover on your own!

What to Do

Boat, fish, wakeboard, and waterski on reservoirs, including Jordanelle, Rockport and Deer Creek; boat rentals are available.
stateparks.utah.gov/parks

Ride a bobsled at the Utah Olympic Park; 3419 Olympic Parkway utaholympiclegacy.org/product/winterbobsled-experience
(435) 658-4200

Take advantage of the free Park City transit system buses and Main Street Trolley service; schedules change seasonally.
parkcitytransit.org
(435) 615-5350

Ski with an Olympian at Deer Valley Resort;
(435) 649-5766
skiwithchamps@deervalley.com
deervalley.com/WhatToDo/Winter/SkiWithAChampion

Unwind, recover and get pampered at The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge
steinlodge.com/spa.html
(435) 645-6475

Snowboard America’s largest ski and snowboard resort at Park City Mountain
parkcitymountain.com
(435) 658-9457

Mountain bike and hike more than 400 miles of trails
mountainbikingparkcity.com

Buy a piece of art, memento or souvenir t-shirt at the dozens of shops and boutiques on Main Street
historicparkcityutah.com/shop

Ride a zip line at any of the multiple locations in the Park City area
visitparkcity.com

Listen to local musicians playing and singing along Main Street and in bars
and taverns.

What to See

Movie stars, directors, and producers like Robert Redford at the Sundance Film Festival on Main Street every January.
sundance.org/festivals/sundance-filmfestival

Olympic ski and snowboard athletes train and do flips into a swimming pool at Utah
Olympic Park.
utaholympiclegacy.org

Centurion 2018 World Wake Surfing Championship presented by GM Marine
on Pineview Reservoir September 6-8.
centurionboats.com/2018-centurionworld- wake-surfing-championship-held-near-salt-lake-city-sept-6-8

The sunrise and sunset over the mountains to imprint in your memory. A panoramic view at 9,000 feet of the Jordanelle Reservoir from Deer Valley’s Sultan Express chairlift.
deervalley.com

The museums at Utah Olympic Park showcasing winter Olympic athletes. utaholympiclegacy.org/activity/museums-at-utah-olympic-park

What to Eat

Dinner cooked over a 14-foot-long wood stove at Park City’s hottest new restaurant, FIREWOOD.Tip:  request a window table by the kitchen
(435) 252-9900
firewoodonmain.com

Sustainably raised, farm-to-table fare at THE FARM, a favorite among Park City locals and visitors. Editor’s Choice: Local Charcuterie Board with a selection of artisan cured meats and cheeses 4000 Canyons Resort Drive in Canyons Village
(435) 615-8080
parkcitymountain.com

Breakfast dishes with Australian flair at FIVE5EEDS, whose name was inspired by the owners’ five children.
Share the family style: Shakshouka, Steel Cut Oatmeal (with fixings), Breakfast Panna Cotta, and Hotcakes with mixed berries and lemon infused mascarpone
(435) 901-8242;
five5eeds.com

Authentic Bavarian lunch at GOLDENER HIRSCH INN located slope side in Deer Valley’s Silver Lake Village. Tip: Take advantage of their courtesy slippers while dining to rest
your ski-boot-weary feet. Editor’s Choice: Goldener Hirsch Four Cheese Fondue with apples, baguette, broccoli, grapes, and cornichons
(435) 649-7770;
goldenerhirschinn.com

What to Drink

Hydrate aprés ski/bike/hike on the deck at the UMBRELLA BAR. Editor’s Choice: Hot chocolate for kids, IPA of choice for adults
Base of the Red Pine Gondola, Canyons Village;
(435) 615-3307
parkcitymountain.com

Craft beer on tap at WASATCH BREWPUB. The brewery was started by a Midwesterner in the early ’80s and became one of the first craft brewers in the country.
Editor’s Choice: Polygamy Nitro Porter 250 Main Street (top of the hill, so take the trolley if you wish)
(435) 649-0900
wasatchbeers.com

Alpine Distilling whiskey in a “shotski” with your friends at THE SPUR BAR & GRILL on a Dueling Pianos night.
Editor’s Choice: Lafayette Spiced Bourbon Whiskey
(435) 615-1618
thespurbarandgrill.com

Handcrafted cocktails at RED TAIL GRILL. Editor’s Choice: High West Double Rye Old Fashioned; High West was Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870.
4000 Canyons Resort Drive; in Grand Summit Lodge;
(435) 615-8068
parkcitymountain.com

By Liz Pasch, Southern Boating March 2018

Door County, Wisconsin

Knock, knock, knocking on Door County’s summer haven

Cruisers who transit the Great Loop—the waterway route around the eastern half of the U.S.—typically travel in a counterclockwise direction, with Lake Michigan as the last of the Great Lakes on their journey. Many follow the lake’s eastern shoreline southward to Chicago, but in doing so, they miss out on a delightful peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan from its western side and offers exploration of 300 miles of shoreline, 34 named islands, 11 quaint communities, 19 county parks, 5 state parks, year-round festivals, bike trails, cultural events—the list is endless. And that is Door County, Wisconson.

Door County is only a three-to-five-hour drive for Midwest urbanites in Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, so roads and accommodations are usually packed with weekend visitors during the summer months. But with many transient-friendly marinas, enchanting coves and shipwrecks to explore on both the lakeside and in Green Bay on the west side of the peninsula, Door County is an enchanting late-summer detour to experience the outdoors and take in the early fall colors before resuming the Great Loop voyage to Chicago and the inland river system.

The Sturgeon Bay Canal bisects Door County and connects Green Bay with Lake Michigan, so cruisers can circumnavigate the county if they wish to see the entire shoreline on one trip. It was built to provide safer access into Green Bay rather than having to navigate the northern entrance, known as the Porte des Morts Passage (Death’s Door), which is riddled with shoals—and shipwrecks—and should be navigated only in good weather with updated charts.

Washington Island on the north end of Door County is the largest of the county’s 34 islands and offers more than 100 miles of roads to explore with your bicycle. For those who are less interested in exercise, rent a moped or take a guided Segway tour. A ferry transports residents and visitors with and without cars from the peninsula. Washington is the only island that’s inhabited year-round; it was settled by Icelanders who were accustomed to the cold winter months.

Scandinavians established Central Door County, and their influence is still evident, especially in dining options. Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, in Sister Bay on the west side of the peninsula, serves authentic dishes by waitrons dressed in Scandinavian clothing. Feast on Swedish meatballs, pancakes with lingonberries, limpa bread, Scandinavian cheeses, and a host of other options. Reserve some time to dally in its huge gift shop; the wooden Dalecarlian horse brought back memories of playing with one at my grandmother’s house when I was a young girl. When you leave, look up! A family of goats grazes on the sod roof, and it’s quite a sight!. (aljohnsons.com; 920-854-2626)

Rowley’s Bay Resort and Restaurant host a traditional “fish boil” that began as a way to feed large groups of lumberjacks and fishermen. The boil consists of whitefish caught from Lake Michigan, combined with salt, onion, red potatoes, and butter cooked in the same manner as the early settlers during which the liquid “boils over” in a fiery show.

While the ingredients are cooking in a big cauldron over an open fire, a storyteller regales the audience with tales and history of the early settlers. Make reservations for the all-you-can-eat dining event, and order a slice of Door County cherry pie for dessert. (rowleysbayresort.com; 920-854-2385)

Door County, Wisconsin, ranks fourth in the nation for cherry production after Michigan, New York, and Utah. In fact, more than 10,000 acres of cherry groves were planted in the 1890s; the surrounding waters make the climate an ideal environment for the crop. Cherry blossoms appear during the middle of May, and the crop is ripe by the end of July, but that all depends on the weather so dates vary. No matter where you dine, cherries will be part of the menu and offered in many forms—cherry wine and cherry salsa are particularly tasty— especially during Jacksonport’s Cherry Fest in early August.

If you prefer to cook your own food while cruising, the farm-to-table movement has caught on in Door County, and farmers’ markets are plentiful through mid-October in nearly every town or community. You’ll find much more than just raw vegetables and fruit. The locals sell many items you enjoy in their restaurants: homemade jams and jellies, bakery goods, cheeses, mustards, fudge, and Norwegian lefse.

If you stay until mid- or late September, take advantage of the Honeycrisp apple harvest. These apples are good for eating, cooking, baking, sauces, salads, and have a very long shelf life, so you’ll still be enjoying them when you reach the Gulf!(doorcounty.com/events)

In case you’ve indulged too much on the local bounty, Door County’s 24 parks offer a multitude of hiking paths with a variety of landscapes and views. Are you a birding buff? Bring your camera and binoculars to Whitefish Dunes State Park in Sturgeon Bay, which has many different habitats for a variety of species; the park office even provides a species list so you can check them off in your birding brag book. Wild about wildflowers?

Another list categories them by season, non-flowering plants, beach grasses, and shrubs. Just make sure you stay on the trail to avoid poison ivy and don’t pick the flowers; there’s a $250 fine. Do you fawn over fungi? Mushrooms grow throughout the park and while it’s legal for you to gather them, the list they provide does not delineate those that are edible from those that are poisonous. So, unless you’re a bona fi de fungi expert, it’s safer to leave them alone. (dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/whitefish/)

Can’t get enough of the outdoors? Northern Sky Theater gives performances under the night sky surrounded by pine trees in Peninsula State Park near Fish Creek. The very talented cast enacts several different plays each season so that visitors can enjoy multiple shows during their visit.

The summer presentations run about 90 minutes with no intermission, and subject content and humor are appropriate for all ages. (northernskytheater.com)

Cruisers who take the time to visit Door County, Wisconsin and all its delights will undoubtedly be glad they did, even if they don’t care for cheese!

Cruiser Resources

MARINAS
Alibi Marina, Fish Creek
(920) 868-3789 • alibimarina.com

Egg Harbor Marina, Egg Harbor
(920) 868-2048 • eggharbormarina.com

Fish Creek Marina,
Downtown Fish Creek
(920) 868-3476 • fishcreektowndock.com

Kap’s Marina, Washington Island
(920) 847-2640 • kapsmarina.net

Sister Bay Marina, Sister Bay
(920) 854-4457 • sisterbaymarina.com

SkipperBud’s Yacht Center
at Quarterdeck Marina, Sturgeon Bay
(920) 746-8200 • skipperbuds.com

EXCURSIONS, TOURS
Bay Shore Outfitters
kayakdoorcounty.com

Door County Adventure Rafting
doorcountyadventurerafting.com

Door County Trolley
doorcountytrolley.com

Nor Door Sport & Cyclery
nordoorsports.com

Liz Pasch, Southern Boating Magazine July 2017
Photos: Door County Visitor Bureau.

Okeechobee Waterway

The Okeechobee Waterway: Cruising the water that connects the seas

Florida is best known to boaters for the water around its edges, which is no wonder with more than 2,000 miles of tidal shoreline open to the sea. But the interior of Florida is almost as wet as its shoreline, with some 30,000 inland lakes covering over 3 million acres.

With all of that water in between and the distance around the state, it didn’t take early residents long to think of connecting the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts by a cross-state waterway. Creating this navigable route was made easier by a huge lake conveniently placed in the southern center of the state—the second-largest lake (behind Lake Michigan) in the contiguous 48 States and the largest contained within a single state. Lake Okeechobee was known to Florida’s Seminole Indians as “Oki Chubi,” which means “Big Water.”

The Waterway’s Origins
In the late 1800s, developers began plans to connect Lake Okeechobee to the headwaters of the Caloosahatchee River. The proposal was to cultivate the land around the lake and create a water-navigable route to the Gulf Coast. The land reclamation program was overwhelmingly successful and opened thousands of acres of rich agricultural property around the lake for settlement. Unfortunately, in the following years, a series of hurricanes exposed those new lake residents to catastrophic flooding and the loss of many lives.

Realizing the need to protect people and property as well as creating a permanent cross-Florida waterway, Florida’s government funded programs to build larger containment dikes around the lake and the “Okeechobee Waterway” as we know it today.

The Route
The waterway was developed by digging two man-made canals—from the headwaters of the Caloosahatchee River on the Gulf Coast and from the St. Lucie River on the East Coast—to Lake Okeechobee. The official length of The Okeechobee Waterway is 156 statute miles or 134.3 nautical miles from its intersection with the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in Stuart to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Myers. Due to Lake Okeechobee’s shallow depths of 8 to 12 feet, and only averaging 15 feet above sea level, a direct connection to the sea would drain the lake completely.

To maintain the lake’s depth, three locks were built to raise vessels from sea level on the Gulf Coast to the level of Lake Okeechobee, and two locks lower vessels back down to sea level on the Atlantic Ocean. Two established routes cross the lake. Route 1, which is the “Cross Lake Route,” proceeds from Port Mayaca directly across the southern portion of the lake to the town of Clewiston. Route 2 is referred to as the “Rim Route” and follows the southern shoreline passing the towns of Pahokee and Belle Glade before joining up with Route 1 at Clewiston.

Route 1 offers a faster crossing and carries more depth, while Route 2 allows for a more relaxed and protected route, especially with southerly winds.

Navigation and Lock Handling
The specific elevation change of the water in the locks will vary with the depth of the lake. When the lake and canal water levels are high enough, some of the locks may stay open.

During very low water levels, the St. Lucie and Franklin locks may operate on restricted hours to maintain water depth. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) operates the locks and maintains Lake Okeechobee’s depth.

Adhering to the same rules as the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), the Okeechobee Waterway is marked off in statute miles and follows the lateral buoy system of keeping red markers or markers with yellow triangles to starboard when traveling from east to west.

Water depth and bridge clearance are the two factors a boater must take into account when planning a crossing. The waterway’s depth varies with the lake level, so consulting the USACE is important for a safe crossing. In addition to the five locks, there are numerous opening and fixed bridges along the way. The lowest fixed bridge at Port Mayaca allows 49 feet of clearance at high water. Boating through the locks is not difficult with proper preparation. The lock walls are concrete, so having enough durable fenders to protect the boat is important.

The lock tenders will instruct boaters on which side of the lock they want the vessel tied. In locks with rising water, the lock tenders will lower fore and aft handling lines to the vessel. The mariner will take one wrap of the lines around cleats on the craft and take up the slack line as the boat rises.

If possible, it’s best not to be the first vessel in a lock with rising water, as that boat takes the most turbulence of the water coming through the opening in the forward lock gate. When a boat is being lowered in a lock, the handling lines are also wrapped once around a cleat, and the line is allowed to play out as the vessel is dropping.

Always wear sturdy gloves with which to handle the lines. On average, 30 minutes should be allowed to transit each lock. Unless operating on restricted hours during low water levels, the locks open on request daily from 7AM until 5PM. The last entrance to a lock is at 4:30PM. A fast boat averaging 20 knots can complete the crossing in about eight hours. A trawler or sailboat would take around 20 hours at 7 knots, making for a leisurely trip with two nights spent on the waterway in the process.

Stops Along the Okeechobee Waterway
Most boaters will stage at a marina in Stuart on the East Coast or in Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast to begin a crossing. There are marinas and municipal town docks conveniently located for the seafarer willing or needing to take multiple days to cross. Communities like Port LaBelle, Moore Haven, Clewiston, and Indiantown are an interesting part of Florida’s history.

These towns and villages give the visiting mariner a real sense of “old Florida,” where hunting and fishing are still an important way of life. Wilderness outfitters provide guided trips through the beauty of this remote area with fishing or hunting expeditions. The Waterway’s inland protection from coastal storms is also creating a growing business for off-season boat storage, with facilities in Stuart, Indiantown and Port LaBelle, some of which offer large storm-rated buildings where a vessel can be kept indoors.

Florida is a fascinatingly diverse state, with coastal communities influenced by the cultures of all its transplanted citizens and visitors. Central Florida, by comparison, still has much of its original culture and character intact. If the majority of your boating has been offshore, cruising the Okeechobee Waterway not only makes for easy passage from one coast to the other, it also provides for an interesting view of historic Florida and the beauty of water in between.

Cruiser Resources

MARINAS EAST OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE
Indiantown Marina, Indiantown
(772) 597-245 • indiantownmarina.com

River Forest Yachting Centers, Stuart
(772) 287-4131 • riverforestyc.com

Sunset Bay Marina & Anchorage, Stuart
(772) 283-9225 • sunsetbaymarinaandanchorage.com

MARINAS WEST OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE
City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin
(239) 321-7080 • cityftmyers.com/381/Yacht-Basin

Legacy Harbour Marina, Fort Myers
(239) 461-0775 • legacyharbourmarina.com

Moore Haven City Docks
(863) 946-0711 • moorehaven.org

River Forest Yachting Centers, Moore Haven
(863) 612-0003 • riverforestyc.com

Roland & Mary Ann Martins
Marina & Resort, Clewiston
(863) 983-3151 •  RolandMartinMarina.com

ATTRACTIONS/GUIDES

Lake Okeechobee Fishing Guide
lakeokeechobeeguide.com

Eaglebay Airboat Rides
okeechobeeairboat.com

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum
ahtahthiki.com

BlueSeas’ Okeechobee Waterway Cruising Guide
offshoreblue.com/cruising/okeechobee.php

By Bob Arrington, Southern Boating Magazine July 2017

Explore These Five Inland Lakes

For a change of scenery, tow your boat to inland lakes and rivers.

Most of our cruising destination articles are focused on coastal locations or islands. All across the country, however, boat owners enjoy cruising the fresh waters on inland lakes. These five should be on your short list should your roadtrip with boat trailer in tow find you in the vicinity. But even if your boat is not trailerable, boat rental options run the gamut from pontoons to houseboats and everything in between.

Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
Size: 32 sq mi; Mean depth: 55′ (max 250′)

Frequently referred to as the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” Smith Mountain Lake (SML) draws day boaters from Roanoke, VA, and the surrounding area (30-45 minute drive). If your base is in Roanoke, make sure you start your day with a hearty breakfast at the Roanoker, a family-owned diner famous for the biscuits and sausage gravy first served to WWII soldiers. Vacation-home owners from Richmond, Charlotte and Raleigh, NC, and as far away as Washington, D.C., arrive during peak season (June-August) for long weekends or the entire summer. Many rental properties are available with varied size, amenities and prices. Keep in mind that many of the roads to SML wind and curve, so driving with boat trailers should be done during daylight.

The lake is actually a reservoir that was created when the Smith Mountain Dam on the Roanoke River was built in 1963. The Virginia fishery management stocks SML with striped, smallmouth and largemouth bass, which earns it the moniker of being one of the country’s 25 best bass lakes. If you’re a little rusty on your bass fishing technique, fishing guides are readily available. On non-boating days, stretch your legs and hike or bike a section of the famed 470-mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway, the National Park that’s visited most frequently (see page 68 for more National Parks). You may also recognize some of the shoreline from the movie What About Bob, which was filmed here.

INFORMATION:
Smith Mountain Dam Visitors Center (*Free admission)
2072 Ford Road, Sandy Level, VA
Phone: (540) 985-2587; smithmtn.com

Boat launches:
Hales Ford Boat Launch
16700 Moneta Rd., Moneta • (540) 297-2222
SML State Park Boat Launch
1235 State Park Rd., Huddleston • (540) 297-6066

 

Lake Marion, South Carolina
Area: 171.9 sq mi; Max depth: 77′

Approximately a one-hour drive from Charleston, South Carolina, Lake Marion is the state’s largest freshwater lake. Created by the damming of the Santee River in the 1940s, the lake covers over 110,000 acres. Thousands of live cypress trees are still in the area, which help contribute to a thriving ecosystem. Many species of fish—striped bass, crappie and catfish—flourish in the lake’s rich environment making Lake Marion a prime fishing destination. In addition to boating, scenic activities include walking and biking trails, geocaching, hiking, and bird watching. Open 6AM-10PM daily, Santee State Park offers lakeside cabin lodging and camping grounds for extended stays. Park admission is $2 for adults and free for ages 15 and younger. Also on Lake Marion is the Santee National Wildlife Refuge, which extends additional provisions for nature enthusiasts, such as two observation towers that provide great vantage points for observing the local wildlife. Visiting the refuge is free and its visitor center is open Tuesday through Friday, 8AM-4PM. *South Carolina requires a recreational license for fishing.
dnr.sc.gov/licensing

INFORMATION:
Santee State Park
251 State Park Road, Santee, SC • (803) 854-2408
southcarolinaparks.com/santee; fws.gov/refuge/santee

Boat launch:
John C. Land III Boat Ramp
Greenall Road, Summerton, SC • (803) 734-4009

 

Lake Champlain, New York, Vermont & Quebec
Area: 490 sq mi; Mean depth: 64′ (Max: 400′)

On this popular and picturesque lake’s west border are the Adirondack Mountains in New York, and on its east are Vermont’s Green Mountains. Named after explorer Samuel de Champlain, its sweeping vistas, wide variety of waterfront activities, multiple waterways, sandy shores, and peaceful bays draw thousands of visitors each year. On the lake’s eastern shore sits Burlington, Vermont—Lake Champlain’s largest waterside city. Throughout the year, the beautiful and historic Waterfront Park hosts several music and food festivals and is also home to the Bike Path, which follows the park’s eastern border along the lake’s waterfront. Adjacent to the park is the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center. The public boat launch is located at the easily accessible Perkins Pier Marina, and transient cruisers in the area are sure to enjoy the many services and plenty of dockage offered at Burlington’s Community Boathouse Marina.

INFORMATION:
Community Boathouse Marina
1 College St., Burlington, VT 05401 • (802) 865-3377
lakechamplainregion.com

Boat launch:
Perkins Pier Marina
1 Lavalley Lane, Burlington, VT • (802) 865-3377

 

Lake Sammamish, Washington
Area: 8 sq mi; Mean depth: 58′ (max: 105′)

Nestled within the 512-acre Lake Sammamish State Park amid the scenic suburbs just 8 miles east of Seattle is a cruiser-friendly freshwater lake. The serene Lake Sammamish and surrounding state park is open to the public every day from 6AM to dark for recreational boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and hiking and biking trails. Bird watching is popular thanks to the great-blue-heron rookery in the area’s deciduous forest and wetland vegetation. Witness one of the world’s greatest natural journeys: salmon migration up Issaquah Creek from its Lake Sammamish outlet and into the salmon hatchery. Launch your boat at the park’s largest designated watercraft launching lot off of East Lake Sammamish Parkway at the southeast tip of the lake. There are two finger docks (60-by-4-feet and 40-by-4-feet) spaced between nine 12-by-30-feet launch ramps, and a daily water-launching permit costs $7 on top of the state park’s $10 per day Discover Pass ($30 annually). Visitors also have the option to purchase an annual permit for year-round state park watercraft launching, which omits the necessity of a Discover Pass. *Washington state parks require a recreational license for fishing and shellfish harvesting.

INFORMATION:
Lake Sammamish
2000 NW Sammamish Rd., Issaquah, WA • (425) 649-4275

Boat launch:
Lake Sammamish State Park Boat Launch
4455 E Lake Sammamish Pkwy, Issaquah, WA • (425) 649-4275

 

Lake Washington, Washington
Area: 34 sq mi; Mean depth: 108′ (max 214′)

The second largest lake in Washington State after Lake Chelan borders the city of Seattle on the west and also shares shorelines with Bellevue and Kirkland on the east, Renton on the south and Kenmore on the north. The lake surrounds Mercer Island, one of the most affluent cities in the state and home to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s compound. Lake Washington is also home to the waterfront properties of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Starbucks founder and CEO Howard Shultz among many other notable names.

Feeding this long ribbon lake from the north is the Sammamish River, and the Cedar River feeds its south end. Sport fishing is abundant with a variety of species, including coastal cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and black crappie.

What’s more, the stunning Lake Union (580 acres; mean/max depth 34’/50′) sits completely within the Seattle city limits and is accessible by water from Lake Washington’s Union Bay on the west side. From there, continue through Montlake Cut (46-foot bridge clearance) into Portage Bay, which leads into the quaint Lake Union after clearing the Lake Washington Ship Canal Bridge (182 feet). This lake has many waterfront parks and marinas, and Lake Union Park at the southernmost tip offers quick and easy access into the heart of the city. kingcounty.gov

INFORMATION:
Lake Washington
Lake Washington Blvd., Seattle, WA • (206) 684-4075

Lake Union
860 Terry Ave. N, Seattle, WA • (206) 684-4075

BOAT LAUNCHES
Lake Washington
Atlantic City Boat Ramp • 8702 Seward Park Ave. S.;
(206) 684-7249

Warren G. Magnuson Park Boat Launch (NW)
7400 Sand Point Way NE; (206) 684-4946

Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park Boat Launch (SE)
1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N; (425) 430-6700

Lake Union
Sunnyside Avenue N Boat Ramp
2301 N Northlake Way; (206) 684-7249

Chicago, Illinois

Carve out a few extra days on your Great Loop adventure to explore Lake Michigan’s Windy City.

Cruisers who complete the Great Loop—the waterway route enabling circumnavigation of the eastern half of the U.S.—build in extra days for unplanned delays but also to explore specific areas on their more than 5,000-mile journey. Some seek out the seclusion of picturesque bays, while others prefer the excitement of cities they’ve never explored. If your Great Loop excursion plans take the traditional counterclockwise route, you’ll exit the Great Lakes region via Lake Michigan to the Chicago River through Chicago, Illinois. Build in several days and even up to a week to explore the “Windy City”. Its appeal may surprise you and even whet your appetite for a return trip though likely not in the winter months.

As you approach the southwest end of Lake Michigan, even from a distance, Chicago’s downtown skyline is striking. The Willis Tower—formerly named but still frequently referred to as the Sears Tower—is the second tallest building in the western hemisphere and easy to spot. The surrounding architecture encompasses a lively urban landscape with the city’s financial district and juxtaposes the many museums, parks and fountains lining the lakefront. Moored at Monroe Harbor, sailboat masts accentuate the view like exclamation points on a cityscape, while colorful sails catch the currents off Lake Michigan; take care as you approach the Windy City for sailing regattas in process. Just north of the mouth of the Chicago River, a Chicago landmark juts out into the lake; Navy Pier was built in 1916 to service freighters on Lake Michigan. Converted in 1941 for military training prior to World War II, Navy Pier was renovated in the early 90s for its current purpose as a recreation center and remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Midwest. The ferris wheel was dismantled in 2015, but there are plenty of other attractions for young and old, including a spectacular July 4th fireworks display and summertime music events, many of which are also accompanied by fireworks.

 

For the most part, where you dock is determined by how close you want to be to your favorite activities. The Chicago Harbor System has 10 unique harbors, some of which are along Chicago’s lakeshore and each with its own distinct attributes. All offer transient dockage; several offer boat ramps and trailer parking for those traveling with boats on trailers. Be sure to review the System’s website and make your reservations well in advance, especially for holiday weekends that attract Midwest cruisers from 100 miles away or farther (chicagoharbors.info). An alternative to the large lakeside marinas is Marina City on the Chicago River in the heart of the city’s action. Again, make reservations well in advance for the few transient slips located under the famed steakhouse Smith & Wollensky. This is also a great location to get off the boat for a few nights since the Marina City complex houses Hotel Chicago (an Autograph Collection Hotel). Request a room on one of the upper floors to enjoy a spectacular nighttime view of the city.

Repeat “Loopers” and local cruisers alike are familiar with the wide variety of Chicago’s offerings. Art and history buffs have their pick of museums, many of which are within walking distance from lakefront harbors. Even the most finicky eater will be hard-pressed to find something to complain about when introduced to a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza or a hotdog from a street vendor. They pile dogs high with Chicago-style fixings, sans the ketchup—a faux pas here. For the fashionistas on board, a full day of shopping on “The Magnificent Mile” awaits on a one-mile stretch of Michigan Avenue. If you’re as comfortable with heights as you are on the water, take the elevator ride to the skydeck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, but go late in the day to escape the crowds and take advantage of the sunset view (searstower.com).

Sports venues are varied and frequent. For baseball fans, Wrigley Field is a cab-ride away. For football fans or music lovers, Soldier Field (soldierfield.net) is the home field and stadium for the Chicago Bears, hosts many summertime concerts and is conveniently situated close to Burnham Harbor. From Lake Michigan, the marina entrance is at the south end of Northerly Island, with channels and shallow areas well marked. Burnham Harbor’s location also provides walking distance access to the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium—a family favorite—and the Adler Planetarium. All three are worthy of at least a half- or full-day visit, so plan your time accordingly since there’s so much more to see, including the Chicago Water Tower, one of the few buildings to remain after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

In addition to choosing which of the city’s attractions to see, deciding where to eat will likely be your biggest challenge with so many options. Limited space prevents offering a comprehensive list, but seafood lovers won’t want to miss Catch 35 on the south shore of the Chicago River near Trump Tower. Steak lovers must dine at Gene and Georgetti’s, but bring your autograph book and camera. Celebrities and politicians alike have been dining there alongside locals since 1941.

CRUISER RESOURCES

—Dockage and Fuel—
Belmont Harbor
3600 Recreation Drive
(312) 742-7673 • chicagoharbors.info/harbors/belmont
* Family favorite

Burnham Harbor
1559 S. Lake Shore Drive • (312) 747-7009
• chicagoharbors.info/harbors/burnham
* Close to Shedd Aquarium, museums and Soldier Field

DuSable Harbor
111 N. Lake Shore Drive
(312) 742-3577 • chicagoharbors.info/harbors/dusable
* Lakeside, just south of the Chicago River

Marina City
300 N. State Street
(866) 490-5297 x161 • jbys.com/chicago-illinois
* Downtown river location

—Accommodation—
Hotel Chicago (Autograph Collection)
333 N. Dearborn Street
(312) 245-0333
thehotelchicago.com

—Eateries & Attractions—
Catch 35 Seafood & Premium Steaks
35 W. Wacker Drive • (312) 346-3500
catch35.com

Gene and Georgetti’s
500 N. Franklin Street • (312) 527-3718
geneandgeorgetti.com

Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group
8 locations • harrycarays.com 

By Liz Pasch, Southern Boating Magazine August 2016

Birdsong Marina, Camden Kentucky Lake, Tennessee

If cruising America’s Great Loop is on your bucket list, look for Birdsong Creek’s flashing light and the sign at MM103.7 marking the Birdsong Resort, Marina and Lakeside RV Campground. Located on the south side of Birdsong Creek, 1.5 miles in the deep buoyed channel from the scenic Tennessee River—halfway between the dams on Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley and Pickwick—seats the 58-acre recreational complex, family-owned and operated since 1961. Revel in true southern hospitality away from the daily grind while enjoying the greatest of the outdoors in western Tennessee’s Birdsong Marina.

Onsite boat sales, engine repairs, prop sales, 140 covered slips—daily, weekly, monthly, and annual rates are available—ship’s store, and boat rentals are among the marina’s offerings. The resort also includes 26 cottages and lodges furnished with all the amenities of home. Transient cruisers may use the resort’s “courtesy car” for a trip into town for groceries or dinner with a vast choice of restaurants. Catering services (southern style barbecue, country breakfast and more) can be accommodated and served on site under the open-air pavilion—or delivered to your rental units.

Revel in activities including fishing on the Tennessee River, home to more than 100 species of fish and famous for its crappie, bluegill, catfish, stripers, sauger, largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. Artificial fish attractors marked by buoys have been built near all major creeks holding at least 10 feet of water. On land, stop by The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum, Farm and Tour to learn about North America’s only freshwater pearl-culturing operation and shop for some unique jewelry.

Amenities
• 140 slips
• Overnight docking for five boats up to 80′
• 65′ x 65′ lighted, concrete launching ramp
• Citgo gas and diesel
• 30-50 amp electrical service
• OMC, MerCruiser, Volvo Onan engine repairs
• Prop sales and prop repair service
• Emergency towing and underwater divers on call
• Ice, cold beer
• Hot showers
• Laundry room
• Bait, tackle and nautical supplies

Contact:
Birdsong Marina
255 Marina Road
Camden Kentucky Lake, Tennessee 38320
(731) 584-7880
birdsong.com/marina/index_marina.php

By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure, September 2015

Palm Beach Town Docks, Palm Beach, FL

The rich atmosphere of Palm Beach, Florida, attracts cruisers from around the world with its fine dining, fabulous shopping and a multitude of activities. Whether window shopping, relaxing on a pristine beach or enjoying one of the several seafood restaurants, touring cruisers can find convenient berth at the Town Docks Marina.

With slips accommodating vessels up to 260′, the Town Docks Marina’s main feature is its strategic location on the Island of Palm Beach, just steps from world-renowned Worth Avenue. Visitors will also find an easy taxi or trolley ride over the neighboring drawbridge to enjoy the Kravis Center, Cityplace and nightlife at downtown West Palm Beach. The Breakers Hotel, a landmark Palm Beach resort, is just two miles from the docks.

[photomosaic ids=”6029,6030,6031″]

The Town Docks provide all of the conventional amenities, and security monitoring ensures your vessel is protected throughout the stay.

Marina Features:

• Electricity
• Fresh water and showers
• Sewage removal
• Telephone
• Cable TV
• Security cameras
• Complimentary WiFi
• Captain’s lounge
• Great location

Information:

PO Box 2029
500 Australian Ave.
Palm Beach FL 33480
(561) 838-5463
mhorn@townofpalmbeach.com
townofpalmbeach.com

By Daniel Wagner, Southern Exposure

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