Entry #85: N45.20.365, W86.54.563
Monday, July 22nd (Day 77): I awoke tired and sore to a cool (50’s) but otherwise clear morning. My decision to head for Chambers Island and anchor on its lee side for protection against the north winds had worked. I still wasn’t hungry and wanted to go back to sleep.
As I saw it, I had three or four options. I could stay anchored and rest a day. Or I could go northwest 17 to Cedar River (17 miles) or I could go north to Washington Isle (25 miles). I was not motivated to go anywhere and really wanted to just stay and rest. I checked the weather forecast hoping it would help me decide.
Currently the wind direction was unchanged from yesterday coming from the north at 18 knots gusting to 22. Later in the morning, the forecast called for the winds to die down to around 6 knots before switching and come from the south and southwest. Then in the late afternoon the winds were to switch back and come from the north again. I decided to make a ‘big’ assumption and evaluate the impact(s) for each option.
First, if I stayed anchored and the winds indeed shifted to the south, I would be completely exposed and would need to move. And if the wind shifted back to the north in the late afternoon as forecasted, I would need to lift anchor again (my aching back!) and move again. There would go my day of rest. Not a preferred option.
Second option, go northwest 17 miles to Cedar River. It would be a (fun) reach (but potentially physical) depending on the size and direction of the seas. It should also be a short three to three and a half hour sail assuming the winds didn’t shift before I reached my destination. Unfortunately, heading back for Cedar River would effectively add two days and I then would need 100% favourable weather in order not to jeopardize being on time to register for the Trans-Superior International Yacht Race. Not an option.
Third option, cut my circumnavigation of Green Bay short and head north 25 miles for Washington Isle. Washington Isl splits Green Bay and Lake Michigan and would allow me extra time to rest and recover. The drawback heading north was that it was going to be a beat (sailing into the wind and seas) which would mean a rocking and slower sail. Hopefully the winds would shift sooner rather than later.
I really wanted to rest but heading for Washington Island was the best option. I had anchored in the middle of the lee side of Chambers Island and decided to round the west end of the island and head north. My thoughts were that I would have the option to head west for Cedar River if the winds were too high and/or I found myself too exhausted to physically handle a beat run to Washington Isle. My strategy turned out to be a good one.
The winds lightened and shifted from the north to the south sooner than forecast. I found myself with blue skies and a light breeze on my back. Though slow it turned out to be a welcomed light air day. I finally arrived in the late afternoon. Washington Isles’ Detroit Harbour is very shallow and a difficult passage. And, given my unfamiliarity with the narrow channel entrance together with the ferry traffic, I found myself glued to my GPS chart plotter while slowly progressing toward Shipyard Island Marina.
I had called in earlier to reserve a slip. I was given a slip location and (Kimberly) instructed me to hail on my VHF radio when approaching the marina for docking assistance. I hailed the marina about an 1/8 of a mile out and continued hailing with no reply. When I was about to enter into my slip I noticed someone on a pier put down her fishing rod and give me assistance in docking NTL. When NTL was secure, Kimberly picked up her fishing rod and VHF radio! (My first indication of the relaxed island atmosphere – good, just what I needed.)
After I showered, I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and retired early.
Tuesday, July 23rd, (Day 78): It was raining lightly when I awoke the next morning. It was a good time for me to assess my progress and status of my circumnavigation journey. I made oatmeal and coffee sat down, pulled up my cabin table, took out a pen and some paper and began reviewing my journey to the plan.
– Trip Assessment –
(Scale 0 – 5 – 10: 10 – at start, 5 – doable w/corrective action, 0 – change to plan required)
A – Plan & Schedule – (0): OK, my plan called for the circumnavigation of the five (5) Great Lakes to take from 95 to 125 days and cover between 3,500 and 4,500 nautical miles. I planned to be in St. Ignace the second week in July, which would give me three weeks to hit Georgian Bay and North Channel in advance of the Trans-Superior Race Sept. 2nd registration. The plan called for a month to circumnavigate Lake Superior and complete the last leg of Lake Huron. I planned to be home the end of August or the first week in September.
I had embarked May 7th and after 77 days I had gone 2,270 miles. I had completed circumnavigating Lakes Ontario and Erie, one leg of Lake Huron and was about to complete Lake Michigan in the next 4/5 days (or July 26/7th) – weather permitting.
I am 2 ½ weeks behind schedule! Not recoverable. If I do not lose any more time I can still complete circumnavigating all five Great Lakes but would need plan change and forgo sailing the North Channel and Georgian Bay. Five Great Lake(s) circumnavigations and Trans-Superior Int’l. Yacht Race completion remains doable.
B – NTL & Equipment & Supplies – (5): NTL is solid though I have a growing concern with her ability to go to weather. NTL is a trade wind vessel not really suited to pointing into the wind. The wood plug is stuck in one of the two drain holes. I’ve been unable to get it out. My drill broke. I repaired the shredded anchor line and set up the back-up anchor for use if needed. The temporary repair to NTLs’ bimini is holding up thus far. The battery operated back-up bilge pump is deceased but the two handheld back-ups are working. My once a month re-supply resource has gone to Dallas so I have been on my own there.
C – Physical, Mental & Emotional Health – (5): The confinement on a 20′ sailboat together with the demands due to weather conditions are taxing my physical condition and I am in pain 24/7. But at my age that can be expected and I simply am dealing with it. I cannot overstate the emotional value from the encouragement and support I am receiving from so many. All I can say is its very appreciated. Keep it up. Its needed. Thank you. The adventure has shifted to a mission. Its no longer a Sunday afternoon walk in the park. Its not reached a level of being a chore but I’m more on a mission now. The one area I have a growing concern however, is the deterioration of my mental sharpness even when rested. I’m working on ways to address that but again the frequent storms are presenting a challenge. I am learning to trust my instincts. I have growing confidence in my abilities and feel self-assured. Time, rest and mental are the significant factors I need to manage.
O/A Assessment: This attempt is no longer a game. I’m learning everyday and I have a Germanic approach to it all.
I borrowed the marinas’ courtesy vehicle and purchased food supplies. The rest of the day was spent simply relaxing and reading a book.
Never Too Late For 