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Farewell to the safe haven of Muskegon
Muskegon became our second home, or rather second workplace, our refuge from 9 to 5 day to day life in Ann Arbor. Here we discovered generosity and hospitality of American people without which we would have been unable to start our journey on time. Here we became famous, kind of local celebrities :)
On Saturday morning, July 28th 2007, we showed up in Torresen
Marina beginning our very last weekend there. The last preparations included, as always, buying and storing food. Boxes with Ramen Noodles, bags of beans, rice, pasta, oatmeal and other delicacies lined on the pier, waiting patiently for their turn, as if hoping that they will get packed somehow. Well-wishers from neighboring boats offered us more warnings than we would have bargained for. There was one fellow especially doubtful regarding the storage capacity of our boat who entertained us with spine-shivering sea-stories overheard through his radio. Fortunately enough, there were also others who kept our spirits high through their overwhelming support. Some of them were really impressed, just like Lynn, professional journalist and devoted sailor, who interviewed us. The article was published in the Muskegon Chronicle and you can read it here thanks to our friend Greg who was so kind to scan it for us. Rumors about our voyage on the green boat spread very fast around the Marina and soon we became a living legend, even before a shakedown cruise. There was no turning back, no matter what. The last night of shopping included water supply and a propane stove. The boat swallowed everything, which surprised not only the on-lookers, but even ourselves.
Our plans to leave Muskegon on Saturday turned out to be too
optimistic regarding the broken spreader and a solar panel still requiring to be installed. Thus, our legend had even more time to grow. On Tuesday all three of us were ready. At midnight Atomic Four, the inner child of engineering (which probably remembers times of World War II) slowly but surely pushed us into dark and foggy waters of mysterious (at least to us) Lake Michigan...
To make our report accurate, we must mention an accident. Now, from our very own experience: a boat may be invisible when dark, so watch your step when boarding, you may miss it!
M.
From my part I can add, that all this would be impossible without the help we received from many great friends. First of all Ryan and Katka, our friends from Ann Arbor, who drove us with a mountain of stuff to Muskegon. It wasn't the first trip they made with us since, as folks without a car, we constantly needed a lift. Here I want to state, that it is possible to survive in the US without a car. Our year long stay is proof of this.
Dick, who became our Guardian Angel in Muskegon, and staff of Torresen Marine. Ed, who out of sheer kindness made a beautiful toerail. Our friends from Poland, serving with their sailing experience and last but not least, our families, supporting our endeavor.
P.
Cpt. Piotr preparing for the first passage.
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