Mosquito's were intense last night. We were up swatting, plugging small holes around the hatch, lighting candles, using Deet.
The water taxi captain dropping off a few fishermen at our dock said, "there are 4 foot rollers out there", but they were from the Southwest and we were heading northeast. The prevailing winds on Superior are SW, exactly what we have experienced thus far. As we departed Chippewa harbor the waves were in fact from the SW but the winds were gusting on our Port Beam (West). An unusual condition, the winds were quickly shifting west and out of sync with the waves. The captain had also said, you'll be ok but it is really twirling out there. Yep, twirling it is. The conditions were not the best but we only had 10 miles to go and could tuck into Rock Harbor after only a few miles.
We sailing along with heavy seas and gusting conditions with only a furled fore sail. The seas were big and we were quite wet from the 39* spray across the deck. As we rounded Comglomcock point all hell broke out. The gusts were twirling and continuously changing direction, the seas were quite confused with it all, as were we. So time to bring in the sail and head in behind Mott Island. With some in trepidation on Shirley's part (but she is a very good sport!) we followed the Navigation aids around the rocks and into Rock Harbor. What a difference it was. Soon the sun was shining and we were relaxed and warmed up at the Rock Harbor docks.
Rock Harbor is the most developed part of the Island. Quite a few people here, cabins, gift shop, restaurant, and snack bar. We had a nice dinner and attended a Ranger show! Tomorrow we do the crossing to Thunder Bay. It is called Thunder Bay because the winds blowing down off the mountains and across the harbor sounds like Thunder.
