Saturday 7/28/2007
I set a goal in 2003 to circumnavigate all 5 Great lakes. This is not a small feat. Erie is 871 miles, Michigan 1638, Ontario 712, Huron 3827, and Superior (which is very appropriately named) is 2726. We cut a few corners and don’t actually travel this exact distance. There is so much to say about these lakes.
So far we have completed Erie, Michigan and Ontario. The lakes are indeed Great and I am very happy to be on this journey. I can leave the dock and be in the wide open spaces in the matter of minutes. We experience small towns, quaint harbors, big ships, fishermen, and travel for weeks in a world where it is rare to see a Wal*mart or fast food restaurant.
As I have traveled the lakes on a number of occasion’s people have rather strongly encouraged me to write a log of our journeys. I have never been particularly motivated to write a log. I have written logs in the past and rarely refer back to them. I have read logs written by others and find then rather boring with details of uninteresting things. I do enjoy reading book after book of those that have sailed around the world. But these books are well written and edited. I am not much of a writer.
So I am starting this log as a test to see how it goes. You are chosen either because you are one of the encouragers, have traveled with me, or I just think you may be interested. I need from you an occasional comment or question. The frequency of the comments and questions will determine the future life of the log.
Our vessel is Albion, she is a Precision 23 sailboat. For the techies of the group. LOA – 23.5 Feet, Beam 8.6, Displacement 2600 pounds, swing keel goes from 1.5 to 5 Feet, mast height around 34 feet from the water line. As we go along these things will perhaps develop more meaning. My philosophy with boats is to keep it as simple as possible. I am here to enjoy the journey not work on the boat. I want to feel the lakes without much cushioning. Albion is on the light side for the Great Lakes, we need to keep a keen eye on the weather. And as you shall see, things are always happening.
Albion currently lies in Alpena Michigan on the Western shore of Lake Huron. We launched this year in Port Huron and I sailed solo the 150 miles or so north to Alpena. The plan is to return back to Port Huron from the East by the end of September. Alpena is a well protected harbor with numerous reefs and hazards in the bay. I was very cautious coming in. There is a marine sanctuary and a number of dive excursions that go out of Alpena to explore the 10 or so major wrecks in Thunder Bay. When I came in it all looked so peaceful, calm, and innocent, but we knew there were rocks lurking about and this same lake can really kick up with a few winds. Charts, weather reports, and GPS units make life a bit more relaxing.
Today was a packing day. Tomorrow I meet a good friend Mark at the Pittsburgh Airport. We have a one way rental to Alpena. Albion will be happy to see us, I know it!!!
