Entry #55:
Thursday, June 6th & Friday, June 7th: I was scheduled to meet my Welland crew Friday evening and passage through the Locks Saturday. Even though it was foggy with little winds, I needed to embark for Port Dalhousie. (I’d rather be a day early than a day late.)
It was eerie the 30 miles in all glass waters and thick fog. As I continued heading south across the lake at around 10 am (lake depth of over 350′) I heard the sound of a ships’ horn to the west of me. A familiar sound. About ten minutes later, I can hear the ship sound its horn again coming from my left shoulder again from the west. The fog was slowly lifting and I could begin to see about a couple of hundred yards. I could now see the glass water surround NTL as she cut through with both sails and engine running. I went to check my marine app but had no internet or telephone service in the middle of the lake.
As the fog continued to lift I heard the ships horn louder as ever, turned around a saw it crossing my stern about 500 yards behind! It was then that I realized he probably had seen my radar deflector on his scope and was sounding his horn in part as a warning. Good feeling.
I arrived at Port Dalhousie mid-afternoon, secured a slip, took a needed shower so as not to empty the marina and worked on completing installation of my mainsail reefing system and outhaul. Not completely happy with it but it is functional for now and until I figure out a better system.
On Friday, I ordered a pizza delivery for Saturdays’ passage through the Welland lock and research the time to be at Lock 1. Gary Miller and Gary Kuntzman arrived that evening. Gary Miller brought needed supplies Mary had prepared and after we loaded the boat we went to the Kilt & Clover for dinner and discussed tomorrows’ schedule.
Never Too Late For 