Entry #92: N46.29.970, W84.20.215
Wednesday, July 31st (Day 86): I had left the slip and was in the St. Mary’s River before 7:30 am. Sailing conditions were great _ upper 60’s to low 70’s, the winds were coming from the west north west at a moderate 5 to 9 knots and the seas were less than a foot high. These conditions prevailed throughout my 46 mile trip to George Kemp Marina. It was a miracle as I finally arrived around 7:30 pm.
Not that there weren’t some exciting moments mind you. When I left this morning I headed straight north on the western shoreline. I wanted to avoid the deep freighter channel were the current was strongest so I set sail between the shoreline and west of an island. The freighter channel was between the east side of the island and the east shoreline of the St. Marys’ River. I had seen a freighter heading south towards me but figured it would follow the channel. Nope. Instead the freighter blew his horn went out of the channel and straight towards me. I quickly disengaged the auto-pilot and veered NTL briskly towards the shoreline. I was going to worry about my depth after I cleared. I quickly took a picture of passing culprit making its way on the west side of the island and west shoreline! I may have aimed my thoughts at her.
I had to keep an eye on numerous freighters that day. About where I had reached the furthest point north yesterday before turning around, the river depth that is navigable outside the channel is tight. I saw another freighter coming from behind and a fisherman ahead. I estimated I had about 200 feet or so of navigable room between where the freighter, the fisherman and NTL would be parallel. I set my auto-pilot course about 150′ feet west of the anticipated position of the freighter and 25′ east of the fisherman. I then proceeded to check the weather forecast on my I-phone. Suddenly a loud voice yelled “Aren’t you even looking were your going?” Startled, I jumped up and looking over my shoulder I saw the fisherman standing on his boat with his arms in the air repeating his question. I pointed to the freighter which by now was where I had estimated and yelled back “Did you need to move?” Then I sat back down and continued checking my radar app.
When I arrived, the marina was full of Trans-Superior Yacht entrees and amongst them was my 20′ Pacific Seacraft Flicka. After 86 days, four Great Lakes sailed (3 circumnavigated) and 2,556 nautical miles I was euphoric that had finally made it!
Never Too Late For 