Entry #93: N46.29.970, W84.20.215
Thursday, August 1st & Friday, August 2nd (Days 87 & 88) – As previously stated, I had planned on having up to a week to relax and prepare NTL for the next leg of my journey. I was relieved to have finally arrived in time for Friday mornings’ registration and the two scheduled skippers’ meeting – the first for the singlehanded entrants and the second for all entrants. Unfortunately I only had a little over one day (Thursday) to prepare and relax.
Though tired and aching when I got up on Thursday, I found myself running on adrenaline while preparing a ‘to do’ list which included _
One _ Completing an inventory on needed supplies. I needed a months’ worth of supplies for the race as well as supplies for circumnavigating Lake Superior. Locate and go to the nearest grocery store;
Two _ Clean-out and re-organize my cabin for potentially five to seven straight days of overnight sailing to Duluth anticipating periods of high seas and severe weather in mind;
Third _ Inspect in detail every nick and corner of NTL for needed maintenance and repair/replacement;
Fourth _ Perform due diligence by inspecting the competitor boats and seek opportunities to pick the brains of as many experienced GLSS entrants as I could find;
Fifth _ Select and stage my clothing for day/night, light air/heavy seas, hot/cold and wet weather sailing; and,
Sixth _ Research weather forecasts, routes and contingencies;
Seventh _ And of utmost importance, try to recover physically and mentally between today (Thursday) and Saturday’s start. My approach was simple, get as musch rest as possible, hydrate and eat well. Repeat and then repeat.
With my ‘to do’ list completed, I headed for the the marina office to do laundry and inquire on the location of the closest grocery store. Along the way, I was stopped and asked about my boat from a retired judge who was skippering a Cal 30 in the race. The two of us hit it off and an hour later I finally resumed heading to the office with my laundry. While doing my laundry, I found out the location of a grocery store. I completed my wash borrowed a bike provided by the marina and headed to the grocery store. I was able to get most of the supplies on my list. I did want to purchase some coke but bringing it would have been a logistical issue. I returned to NTL and organized a weeks worth of supplies by meals. By the time I finished, it was three pm. I made a sardine sandwich and took a nap.
I was awakened by a a hail from Dan Pavlats’ niece and nephew who were so kind to come by and wish me good luck. Dan is a member of GLSS and has been a great mentor during my journey. He had mentioned that he had a niece and nephew who lived in the area and guided kayak trips in Lake Superior. He obviously called asking them to come by and say hello. It was a pleasant surprise for them to take the time and come by. After they left, I decided to tighten and re-tape my damaged bimini frame. I then checked my bilge and pumped out about a gallon of water. Throughout the trip, my bilge had not been working properly – either prematurely shutting off or suddenly engaging and requiring manual shut-off . (I would check out the bilge every few days throughout the trip just as a precaution.) It was now after 5 pm and I decided to walk to Antlers Restaurant for a hamburger and poutine. Antlers was about a mile from the marina. Throughout my trip, whenever I made dock I would look forward to walking. I can now relate to sailors out at sea for long periods wanting to stretch their legs during shore leave.
It was nearly 7 pm when I got back to NTL from dinner. Mike Spencer, the 2019 Trans-Superior Int’l. Yacht Race Chairman came by shortly afterwards to chat and update me regarding tomorrows schedule and lock passage plans. Mike places safety as his first priority and per his offer, I contacted an individual who would be tracking each racer. In the case I would be out of contact range and I was in distress, we agreed to a communication signal. Though I felt very secure in NTLs’ seaworthiness and my ability to batten the hatches if need be, this added security blanket was appreciated and added to my confidence level.
Mike shared with me Saturdays’ strategy for lock passage which included having the smaller vessels go through the Canadian locks at 8 am. The starting line would be set at Gross Cap Lighthouse in Lake Superior – about two to three hours following passage through these Canadian locks. Tomorrows’ (Fridays’) registration would begin at 9 am tomorrow followed by the single handed skippers meeting at 2 pm and all skippers meeting and dinner at 5 pm!
Here it was Thursday evening and I still had at least three days worth of preparations. I went down below and began going through my equipment and electronics not only as part of my ‘to do’ list but also to keep my mind and anxiety from thinking about not being ready. It was after 10 pm before I finally retired. As I was falling asleep, I couldn’t help but worry about the dozens of things I had yet to address – let alone my rundown physical condition. Tomorrow I no longer would be afforded to schedule my own activity, as I would be in ‘pre-launch sequence mode’.
Friday – Registration and Skippers’ Meetings – I got up early Friday morning after a restless slept. I picked up trash I had accumulated the past few days and went to dump the trash when I was met by John (a retired judge) and Ron (an experienced Trans-Superior and GLSS member). They were on their way for breakfast and asked if I would join them. I had planned to go through a detailed inspection of the exterior of NTL but this was a great opportunity I couldn’t pass up! I will do my inspection later – but when, who knows as we headed towards breakfast.
It didn’t take me long to find out that my initial plan to follow the Upper Peninsula coastline west was not in my best interest for a number of reasons. First, it would greatly add to the distance needed to reach Duluth. Secondly, I was strongly advised to avoid the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula due to the predominant currents and winds. More than one vessel had ended up grounding in the shoals and rocks especially when high winds and storms prevailed. This bit of information alone made my decision to join them for breakfast worth my inspection delay. During our breakfast, I had gained more insight than I could ever have anticipated.
Though my apprehension had reduced and my confidence grown, I thought if I only could find more time to give my body a chance to recover. My facial skin remained sensitive to the touch but at least it didn’t bleed last night when I dried myself following a shower. Though my hands remained raw and tight their condition was not a hindrance. I’ve finally accepted my 24/7 pain in my lower back and discs. And, both my strength and stamina remained drained and had not recovered these past few days to lesson my concern sailing in heavy seas and winds. Additionally, I still haven’t found a solution to my lack of time needed to complete circumnavigation of Lake Superior!
When we returned from breakfast, I went directly to complete registration. I now was an official entrant in the 2019 Biennial Trans-Superior International Yacht Race – yes! I truly felt honored and a sense of satisfaction that I had successfully gone this far. Happy over what I had picked up over breakfast, in the back of my mind, I continued to be uneasy not having all my t’s crossed and i’s dotted. I went back to my cabin and ate a sardine sandwich and continued my hydration effort while reading the race rules. I fell asleep and woke up just in time for the 2 pm single handed skippers meeting.
The setting for the single-handed skippers meeting was relaxed and casual but comprehensive. Each entrant introduced himself and his vessel and the number of successfully completed single handed races . There were a total of 14 single-handed entrants. As it turned out, I was one of three first time Lake Superior entrants and the only single-handed entrant who had not completed a single-handed race. Additionally, NTL was by far the shortest vessel at only 20 feet. Out of all the race entrants, Bill Martins’ ‘Stars & Stripes’ at 68 feet was the longest.
Never Too Late For 