Onward to Rogers’ City

Entry #70:   N45.25.253, W83.48.700

Monday, July 1st:  Happy Canada Day Everyone!  Well the storm didn’t come last night.  Am I surprised?  Not!  I decided not to layover today awaiting the storm to hit.   I was intent on heading for Rogers City as I inched my way towards Mackinaw.  From Rogers City I have a fighting chance to make Mackinaw City on Tuesday and enter Lake Michigan on Wednesday.  I know, a bit optimistic.

As I was passing the north harbor of Presque Isle in another light air overcast day, who did I see but the blue sailboat that had passed me by yesterday.  It would appear, like myself he sought safe harbor from the forecasted weather and like myself this morning had decided to go for Rogers City 20 miles north.  The forecast now called for the long anticipated inclement weather to hit in the early afternoon.  

And again as yesterday, he proceeded to motor right past me as NTL with her motor and sails up continued to express ‘I think I can, I think I can’ as the passing boat grew smaller and smaller. 

Some twenty minutes went by when I noticed a stream of water ripple about a hundred yards to starboard.  I immediately took over the helm from the autopilot and headed towards it.  As I moved across and into it, I felt a light breeze from over my shoulder and my sails began to fill in.  I adjusted my sails and proceeded nicely at about 3 mph. 

 Not soon afterwards, I could see the sailboat that had passed me by earlier.  It was sitting just ahead and below sails up and limply flapping.  Curious?  My first thought was why wasn’t he running his engine as he had yesterday and earlier this morning?  I took out my binoculars while maintaining the helm and finally was able to see the skipper moving calmly around his boat.  Was he out of fuel?  I decided to move closer towards him being careful not to get out of the stream of air I was in.  Soon I was within hailing distance and hailed if he needed assistance.  He waved everything was fine.  I waved back and continued on my way thinking, hey I just passed a boat.  It was a first!

When I looked back a few minutes later, I saw he had steered his boat toward the stream.  And, a few minutes later he waved as he passed me by.  That’s ok I thought, I wasn’t racing anyway.

I completed my trip to Rogers City Marina in about 4 1/2 hours.  I docked, did my wash, ate a can of tuna and then updated this blog.  Next, a well deserved shower – some may say needed.

Day 55

Circumnavigated:  Lake Erie , Lake Ontario

Total Miles To Date:  1,574  

TAKE  CARE  EVERYONE.