Travel with Albion - Sunday - July 6

Early morning rain but the Blue Skies returned before we departed Grand Marais.  The people in town were all saying, what a morning, going up to 80* today.  80 is a big event in North Country. 

 

Rolling 3 footers on the starboard rear quarter today, but not much wind.  Seeing what a 4 knot South wind and 40 miles of fetch can do, I can't imagine a 40 knot wind and 300 miles of fetch.  South winds are warm but as we travel across the North shore, North winds are preferred.  A strong southern blow would keep us tucked away in a safe harbor a few days.  If I were to identify the most dangerous lake for a small craft at this point it would be Erie.  Erie is shallow, the waves build very fast, the period is short, and the waves are steep.  Superior is deep. The waves build slower, the period longer, and the waves more rolling.  Superior's inertia is huge, but it takes her a while to get going.  When she builds it must be spectacular to watch.  The best seats for the performance are on shore.

 

Misty foggy day in a few places today as the rocks and mountains lingering in the distance.   Rumors and folklore have it there are large creatures living in these waters.  We have not seen any yet, but I can understand now how someone could. 

 

At a small marina tonight on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation. There is a sliver of moon overlooking us. The moon is always bigger and brighter up here.  Shirley says it feels like the Wild West in North Country. Isle Royal today (Monday)…

 

Paul

Thanks to the Grand Portage Indian Reservation Lodge and Casino for the wireless.