Safe Harbor – Mentor Lagoons Marina

Entry 59:  N41.43.494, W81.20.451 _ Did you know that Mentor, Ohio is the birthplace of the 20th President.  President James Garfield was elected in 1881!

Thursday, June 13th & Friday, June 14th:  It was 7:30 am before I left dock for Loraine, Ohio – a late start.  I was again debating whether or not to leave the comfort and hospitality of Lake Geneva Marina given the forecast of 23+ knot winds, rain and thunderstorms.  The evening forecast was even less desirable with growing winds coming from the west.  Radar and satellite indicated a line of heavy thunderstorms were to the southwest and several scattered thunderstorms were west and north of my projected route!

If I could maneuver and avoid the scattered thunderstorms while hugging the coastline, Loraine 44 nautical miles away should be reachable.  If I fell short and needed safe harbour, then East Lake, Fairport Harbor, then Mentor Lagoon then Cleveland where along the way.  Plenty of options.  After contemplating the options, I finally decided to head out.  I prepared for a tough day not anticipating just how tough the day was going to be.  And, here we go again….

It was overcast, raining off and on as I headed west.  The winds were at 5 knots and slowly building.  The seas 1 to 2 foot.  In Geneva On Lake Marina, NTL was docked in front of a 50′ cruiser from Stuart, Florida.  While extending courtesies with her owners, a retired couple, I looked up at the bow of their cruiser and glanced down at the stern of NTL – about a 7′ height difference.  They departed just before me also heading west but for planning to stop over in Cleveland.  As I followed behind them, I could see the cruiser slowly extend her distance until disappearing on the horizon in advance of the storms clouds.  Hmph, a sense of loneliness – come back, come back!

The winds and seas continued to pick-up reaching over 20 knots and 6-7′ waves.  I was busy making certain everything was secured as I kept an eye on NOAA and numerous weather stations.  Lightening hits were to the southwest of me but west and northwest there were isolated clouds with rain showers only.

As I continued to progress at 3 mph, a thin black cloud line suddenly formed to the southwest of me.  I was about a mile off the coastline in 25 to 30 feet of water.  The conditions were worsening and I decided to seek safe harbour in Fairpoint.  However the line of back clouds were now over Fairpoint and with lightening strikes indicated on my weather stations, I decided to continue heading west to avoid the bypassing weather.  Within what seemed to be minutes the dark clouds were over me.  I had a sickening feeling.  I already had my sails down, checked my auto-pilot and went below securing the hatches behind me.  I then moved as far way from metal as I could in my little cabin.  wrapped myself around my sleeping bag and closed my eyes so I wouldn’t be blinded in a lightening strike.  As I sat in a corner my back aching, black and blue, broken fingernails, hands raw from rope burns and tired eyes I thought about my family.  After a few minutes and feeling more optimistic I began thinking about my close call experiences over the years and how I had really enjoyed catamaran and DN Iceboat racing.  As quickly as the storm came it passed by.  I really need to be better at reading and anticipating the weather.  Upward and onward.

Seas and winds continued to be a challenge as conditions worsened.  I was physically drained.  I’m not going to make Cleveland never mind Loraine today.  Mentor Lagoon was 6 miles away.  I called into the marina and explained my situation. The municipal marina manager (Scott Robbins) indicated that their docks were under water regardless they would find a place for me.  He then gave me instructions.  That re-assurance gave me the energy I needed.

I cannot understate my appreciation for the over and beyond hospitality extended to me during this trip.  Scott is just another example.  Not only was I able to secure docking, he came over gave me his home number to call should I need anything, directed a pizza place to deliver me a pizza that evening, brought me a McDonalds breakfast and newspaper the next morning!  And as he handed me my breakfast said with a genuine smile, “The forecast calls for higher winds and 10′ waves, looks like your spending another day.  You have my number.”  I was speechless.

I spent the day scrubbing my deck, tightening my side stays and studying the map.