It started When …
In 1985 Ken proposed. Early the next morning he departed for a sailing passage from Ft Meyer, FL to Tulum, Mexico. Envisioning him staring at the stars thinking “what have I done”, on the ride home from the airport I asked if he still wanted to get married. Responding with an enthusiastic “Yes!” followed by a pause “Why, don’t you?”. And right then it became settled history … boats worked! We were married Aug 16,1986 at First Methodist Church of Lombard. Our reception was aboard the Ft. Dearborn in Chicago on Lake Michigan and up the Chicago River.
The Ft. Dearborn hosts wonderful architectural tours on the Chicago River.
Lake Michigan Racing
Ken crewed for friends in The Tri-State races from Chicago to Indiana, onto Michigan and back, and various can races until Andrew was born in 1988. When Letra was born a year later, the sailing halted for several years.
Good fortune struck a few years later when Uncle John and Aunt Elizabeth bought Scotch Mist, a Tarten Ten, 33’ racer / cruiser. Ken was off to the races! With Uncle John, cousins and friends he raced six Chicago Mac Races. The race is 330 miles from Chicago to Mackinac Island, MI. We all enjoyed race week each July as Letra, Andrew and I would join other trailing spouses to Mackinac Island and wait for our sailors to come in. Later, when we owned and raced Passport we sailed as a family back to Chicago after the race.
Scotch Mist crew l to r Al, David Keepper, Chad Swats, Andrewl Keepper, John Keepper, Ken Baehr
Sailing in Greece
In 1997 we took a trip to Greece. We rented a farmhouse in Skiithos, where we swam in the sea, snorkeled, soaked in sea breezes on the sandy beaches, and savored Greek cuisine at the tavernas. After 10 days of island life, we ferried to the mainland, rented a car and drove down the coast to Delphi and into Athens where we met Ken’s parents Jim and Mary Anne for a ten-day sailing trip. We sailed to Paros, Hydra and Monemvasia. We chartered with a captain, reasoning it would take us ten days to learn local knowledge, currents, anchoring methods and years to understand the language. A wise choice and wonderful sailing experience.
Scotch Mist crossing the finish line.
Sailing the 60’ yacht was a joy.
Ken was far more comfortable at the helm, but still agreeable to turning the wheel over to crew.
Note the ice cream bar. Costas, our captain prepared delicious hors d'oeuvres. A real hit with the older crew.
Long Boat Canal Trip
In 1996 we travelled to England to celebrate Ken’s parents, Jim and Mary Anne’s 40th wedding anniversary - a 140 mile Long Boat trip on the canals in central England. Boat speed of 3 mph insured a leisurely pace and allowed walks along the tow path as the boat drifted down the canal. We opened and closed 103 locks on that trip. It was fun to think that for 600 years or so, these canals were used as the primary mode of transportation in England.
The Ploughman’s Lunch at pubs was a favorite - bread, stilton cheese and apples. Dinner at the pubs always included “chips and peas” with delicious locally brewed ale.
Our boat was 72’ long x 7’ wide.
Note the flower box on the boat. Decorating our house with flowerpots was a must. We were in England!
A wonderful way to spend your 40th wedding anniversary.
Uncle Ralph and Aunt Karen joined us on the trip.
Some spaces were inches tight.
In late afternoon we would pull over to the side and spend the night.
The toe path offered nice walks. Letra’s just ahead in this picture walking her doll Donut in a buggy. A perfect solution to keeping your 6-year-old daughter engaged!
A Trip With a Passport
By2001 we were ready and seriously began looking for a boat. As luck would have it there was a 1978 Tartan Ten available. We snatched her up, opened the champaign and toasted to boat ownership. Our first challenge was naming her. The conversation went something like this, “Remember when we first met, and you said I wasn’t happy unless I was on a trip that included a passport? With a three-month sail season on Lake Michigan there will be no more overseas summer trips. Why don’t we name our boat Passport? I’ll have my Passport as we sail around Lake Michigan”. Letra added “Let’s name the dingy Ticket, so we’ll have our passport and our ticket.
Tarten Ten - 10 meters long, 3 meters wide.
How did we end up with Green Bay Packer yellow lettering instead of the gold we thought we ordered! On the bright side, we blended nicely into Packer land.
Great memories on the Great Lakes.
Tartan Ten - 10 meters long, 3 meters wide.
off to the Races
Racing Passport was such fun. One racing rule we adhered to: “what’s said on the boat stays on the boat”! There are exceptions, so anytime ask us for stories.
Anchorage Yacht Club
For years we raced in the Thursday night Anchorage Yacht Club can races. One year, we were short crew for nearly every weekly race. Those Thursday nights just Ken and I raced Passport. That year, out of 18 boats we came in second overall. I was overjoyed. Captain Bly responded to my shout of joy - “Just think what we could have done if you tried”! Racing sailors are a breed in themselves. Fortunately, we’ve come about and Bistari guides our cruising life.
Chicago Mac Race
Ken and Andrew raced Passport in the Chicago Mac race. The wind was very light, which is quite disappointing to the racers, but ok with a wife/mother.
Holding the whisker pole out can get dull. Especially in a 300 mile race of light winds.
The Hook
The Hook, a 189-mile race from Racine WI up around Door County, through Death’s Door into Green Bay WI is as an annual race held the same weekend in July as The Mac. Wanting to race as a family we entered.
Captain Ken had a family crew of Andrew, Letra and me, as well as sailing friends Chris Pesch and his son Patrick. It was a fun race, with lots of adventure when the storm hit. The boat was healing with the rail in the water. Passport, being the gem we loved, had water below, causing one of the inflatable life vests to explode. As Chris, an avid racer put it, “I knew we were in for an interesting ride when our crew boarded with Harry Potter and other books”.
Lake Forest Sailing Team
Andrew joined the LF Sailing Team in Jr. HS and raced on the team all through high school. In the fall the team raced in local regattas on Lake Michigan and traveled in summer and winter break to regattas on the east coast. Highlights were Buzzards Bay, MA and Coral Gables, FL national regattas.
Andrew Baehr
Racing on Lake Michigan
Heading back to Lake Forest after a week of racing in Coral Gables, FL
Passport over the Years
Happiest on the water
And then he rested...
Remembering the cabin spiders...
Ashley, Andrew and Letra
Andrew and Letra
Lake Michigan can get cold
And wet
A refrigeration that never fails
Fun with the Foley's
Farewell sail with Aunt Elizabeth
Sailing into Chicago
Working remotely 2010
Summer office
Saugatuck MI is forever a favorite.
![IMG_3077 Passport 7.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625073ef064a8239b366f1d5/ac6349d6-232f-461f-8bd4-0cebcb12f5a8/IMG_3077+Passport+7.jpeg)
Saugatuck inlet.
Last sail with Passport
![... wonderful memories.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625073ef064a8239b366f1d5/bf344ee5-9e72-4cc4-9fd3-3ccc81408312/IMG_3082+Passport+8.jpeg)
... wonderful memories.
Silver lining
We purchased our Catalina 385 in 2020. While it was sad to say good-bye to Passport, we were over the top in love with Silver Lining.
Our Catalina 385 was 39’ long, 16’ wide, had a real galley, beautiful salon, functioning head and shower, and a swim platform. We were set to cruise.
Silver Lining
Catalina 385
Our logo was a salute to Passport
Every boat needs flowers
Kenosha Harbor
Great walking paths in Kenosha
Loved the town of Kenosha
Kenosha Lighthouse
Aunt Karen
Kate with Henry
Kate and Laura
Laura and Louise
Gosh we miss Riley!
Letra and Henry
Sisters. Joan Foley
Jack and Louise
Henry
Letra, Jack and Charlotte
Louise Pritchett
![Joan Foley](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625073ef064a8239b366f1d5/91370b70-0f7f-4780-9843-b97fcc54cfec/IMG_5526.jpeg)
Joan Foley
Birds eye view
Riley was such a trooper
Milwaukee, WI ... missed Summer Fest
Door County WI
Fish Creek, Door County WI
US Coast Guard - Sturgeon Bay, WI
Julia Keepper
Les Keepper
Bridge Openings
Lake Michigan can be foggy and cold