Entry #63: As promised, I’ve begun to retro-fit my entrees with pictures!
Tuesday, June 18th: It’s a big day. My supplies low and both my aching body and Never Too Late in need of tender loving care, a layover at JBM is overdue. I am looking forward to completing this 28 mile leg.
I had startled a blue heron when I lifted anchor at 6 am. The sunrise was beautiful as I motor sailed past a fisherman. The peaceful conditions were hindered with my concern on NTL’s ability to power through the Detroit River current and projected head winds. When I had retired last evening, the winds were forecast coming from the west at 4 to 7 knots. But this morning I found the forecast had changed and now the winds would be coming from the north east. NTL will need to overcome both the current and the projected head winds. With sails limp and at 2,500 rpms, NTL’s 9 horsepower, single cylinder Yanmar diesel was us speeding towards the city of Wyandotte at 2 mph!
As I was taking in the peaceful morning I happened to glance astern and noticed a freighter about two miles away coming up the channel. The channel was fairly narrow immediately in front of me so I checked water depths on my chart plotter for opportunities to move over for the approaching freighter. I saw that there was a widening of the channel to the starboard about a 1/4 of a mile ahead. I noted a red buoy located there. My chart plotter indicated depths of only 2 to 3 feet on both sides outside of the channel all the way to the buoy. As I proceeded to ease to the starboard edge of the channel as I looked back the approaching freighter was now about 1 ½ behind and closing. It was going to be close.
I just reached the buoy when Mississagi passed.
My slow speed actually turned out to be a good thing. About thirty minutes later, I was suddenly startled by a shouting fisherman frantically waving his arms. I had dosed off under auto-pilot. However, given my “high” rate of speed I had time to disengage the auto-pilot and easily avoided him by more than 10 feet. He didn’t wave back as I continued past him. I don’t know why? There were now fishermen everywhere and I took over the helm as I was unable to utilize my autopilot. Sorry, I didn’t have time to take a picture.
Both these incidents told me two things. Sailing distances is not a walk in the park. One needs to be always alert, always anticipate and always be aware of potential contingencies. These two incidents also suggests that I may be a little tired.
As I weaved around the numerous fishermen and passed by the ‘Gordie Howe’ International Bridge being constructed, we approached the Ambassador Bridge around noon. Under a gentle breeze, I found our speed had increased to nearly 3 ½ mph. Conditions remained mild as I passed the Detroit and Windsor skylines. It was warm and for the first time I was able to remove my semi-dry suit and take in the warm sun.
We finally entered Lake Saint Clair. As the breeze picked up a bit under the blue clear skies, I asked myself, “Why couldn’t the weather have been like this on Lake Erie?”
I made better than anticipated time and docked at JBM just after 3 pm! YEAH!
Upon Reflection: The circumnavigation of Lakes Erie and Ontario has been quite the challenge to say the least. In my blog Entry #36 I projected my Lakes Erie and Ontario circumnavigation chronology and timetable. I also cautioned that this was my plan, dependent on many factors outside of my control and knowledge. Indeed, it has taken me double my projected return to JBM. I will need to minimize the length of my layover and take advantage of every opportunity to recover time if I am going to achieve my single season five Great Lake objective.
43 Days & 1,250 Miles, Lakes Erie & Ontario Completed, (3) Lakes T0 Go!
Never Too Late For 