Last one in is a ... FINALLY got to swim in Lake Erie!

What a strange summer it has been for weather, in my part of the world anyway. We started out a little cool but I was being patient. When it got hot, it was very hot - but we were not at the boat. 

Every time we got to the boat, it seemed there was a 40% chance of precipitation threatening us. Doesn't sound so bad, but 40% can kick up some very unpleasant sailing conditions. And several times, we had 3-day gales blowing. You could barely stand still. Not quite swimming weather for me. J made it in several times, only to warn me that I would not be able to handle it.

We had fun anyway with quick trips, going out to one of the islands for an afternoon or one night and coming back to our home port early. J needed to be at work on Wednesday nights so we could not risk being weathered in away from home.

In mid-August, after three wonderful weeks of guests on board, J and I drove to Port Clinton after his Friday night show for 5 days of R & R. We arrived in time for last call at our Yacht Club before crashing for the night. 

The next morning we checked the weather reports as we drank our "best-ever" coffee, and were cheered to find the wind favorable for a sail to Kelley's Island. But first we headed to the local park for the City Wide Yard Sale. 

On a previous trip, J had brought a loaf of homemade bread (his grandmother's recipe) to the Yacht Club caretaker Eric. He left it on Eric's front porch and we went sailing. Two days later as we approached our home dock, Eric waved and came to help us tie up. "There's been a theft," he said.

I quickly looked to see if my car was there. It was. Then he added, " There were two squirrels partying on my porch the other day." The critters had smelled the bread and chewed their way in through the screened window, knocking over Eric's CO2 rifle, to get to the baked goods. They had the bread out of the bag and were pigging out on it. 

At the City Wide Yard Sale, I kept my eye out for a vessel we could use to protect future deliveries. Sure enough, there was a red mailbox for sale for $5. We took it home, put a "Bread Delivery Box" sign on the flag and left it (filled, of course) on the next trip. 

After our visit the to Yard Sale, we packed up and headed for Kelley's Island. This time we were able to set a close reach and sail all the way. 

When we arrived, we went to the dock to unload the bikes, and then dropped anchor for the night. As usual, by dusk most of the other boats had departed, leaving us with two motorboats and one other sailboat for the night. We sat on deck and watched the sunset.

I got nervous when I saw the other sailboat head into the protected cove and tie up to the rocks, followed by one motorboat. We turned on the weather radio station and sure enough, an unexpected storm was headed our way, and soon. No time to sail around the island to the city dock, so J  pulled up the anchor and we headed over to the state dock. 

You are only supposed to stay there for 15 minutes, but we have tied up overnight a few times when the weather turned sour suddenly. We sat on the deck and watched the approaching storm. And the final motorboat. 

He came into the cove and tried to drop anchor, but there is so much seaweed growing there that he could not get it to catch. We could see it covered with vegetation when he raised it for another try. Jerry went ashore and called out to him that there was another side to the dock where we were and he would help him tie up there. In short time, he was secure.

Turned out it was a guy from New York who was making the Great Loop - down through the Great Lakes to the Mississippi (through estuaries near Chicago), on to the Gulf of Mexico and back up on the Atlantic Coast, (people often use the Inter-coastal Waterway to avoid the open ocean.) We exchanged a few words and went to sleep. 

The next morning, I headed up to the State Park to take a shower before we moved back to our anchorage. I hoped to check out the kayaks by now, but had not had a chance yet. J walked to the store across the street for ice. When I got back, there was a park worker there who said we had to move immediately and had no sympathy for the conditions of the night before. We were getting ready to go when another official arrived. He let us take a few more minutes since our boat is registered in Ohio, but the guy from New York had to move right then. Not very hospitable if you ask me. (Note, there was no one else around trying to use the dock.)

For the next few days, we did all our favorite Kelley's Island things - biked around the Island, had strawberry shots at Bag the Moon Saloon, toured the Glacial Grooves (pictured below with J and our friend Jeanne), found the reservoir in the old quarry and enjoyed the sandy beach area. 

One day, I decided it was time for me to try the new kayaks. J had been in them and found it challenging to get in and out from the ladder on the boat. We had a inflatable dinghy before and you could step in the center and then lower yourself into the seat. When J tried standing in his kayak to get back onboard, the kayak flipped and he lost his new goggles. He was not sure the kayaks were going to work for getting to and from shore after that. 

Of course, I am smaller and lighter than J, so it was easy to put one foot in the kayak and slip into the seat. The kayak skids away. but it was tied to the sailboat so I reeled myself back in, got my paddle and I was in. J was more curious to see if I could successfully get back out. I did not think about it, just reversed the process, putting my weight on the foot on the ladder before  standing and I was out.

To his credit, J did not lose his temper when I stumbled into this method so easily. He even gave me credit later for showing him how to do it. I think now the kayaks have a chance of lasting for future seasons.

We paddled all over. checking out the shore and the other boats. When we decided to swim (finally, it is warm enough to try my new alligator float!), I decided to use the kayak to drag it to shore and wade in the shallow water to get on. I did get some strange looks as I paddled back and forth with the alligator in tow, but it made sense to me! I hated to see that afternoon end. 

We went home relaxed and rested. Ready to sail another day as soon as possible!

 

Back Sailing at Last!

We always intend to spend as much time as possible on the boat each season, but life gets in the way. So I was very excited to be heading out after not being on the water for three weeks. 

We already limit our time based on my husband J's work schedule. He sings regular shows each Sunday and Wednesday night, so this year we are driving down to Lake Erie on Monday and coming back on Wednesday. We have a couple of longer stays planned, but this is the routine for much of the summer.

 

This year, J joined the Board of his neighborhood association, so we have to miss one week in June and July so he can attend the meetings.

 

Last week, I was helping produce the annual awards ceremony at the local theatre where I serve on the Board and volunteer at everything from performing to selling tickets, to writing grants, etc. J was singing and DJing at a wedding the same night, so we went our separate ways. We are not good at that - still newlyweds, at heart - hopefully forever.

 

Then J took a couple of guy friends down to the boat for a few days, returning after I had left for a few days up North with the ladies from my USTA tennis team.  He says I misled him about when I was going, but I think he just was not listening when we discussed it. Now, after a weekend getting reacquainted, except when he left to work on one of the rental houses, we are at the boat. 

 

I was dreading it a little since J said the Mayflies arrived last week and were out in force while the men were here. They had to clean them out of the boat repeatedly and keep the

screen over the hatch.

 

I wanted to show you a picture and found a web site and Facebook page labeled The Mayflies of Lake Erie. This man is blowing dead mayflies off his deck on Pelee Island in Canada directly across Lake Erie from Port Clinton a few weeks ago.

 

We were pleasantly surprised to find things pretty clear at our yacht club - only a few bodies around to remind us of the swarms. Good timing for me!

 

The guys left without pumping out the "bladder" so J went to the marina to do that. Funny, before we bought Duchess, I never knew boats had bladders. At least it beats dumping the portable potty we had on the last boat! Going to the marina requires a trip through the drawbridge, which goes up every half hour, so some strategic timing is involved. You also have to watch out for the Jet - the ferry out to Put-In-Bay.

 

I was sending an email to my pet-care-giver since I discovered around Ann Arbor that I left my purse at home. Sounds Freudian, huh? Now I cannot drive, or pay for anything. Just hope I do not get carded trying to buy a drink...

 

When he gets backs, hopefully on the next half hour raising-of-the-drawbridge, we are sailing out to Kelley's Island. We love it there - fewer people than Put-in-Bay, but a great place to swim, hike, explore and kick back. 

 

Summer has arrived in force with 90 degree temps expected for the next few days, only cooling into the low 70's at night. We have a new air conditioner which worked great when we checked it out in May. But using it requires us to be docked and onshore power. At Kelley's we like to anchor in the bay. Should be interesting.

 

(Pause here. I did not finish during the trip. Now I am back home.)

 

We made it to Kelley's Island right at sundown. We sailed most of the way, but had to turn on the engine for the last part to try to get in before it was completely dark. We had dinner on the way - green salad with tomatoes, avocado, green onions and grilled salmon. We eat very well if we plan ahead. Lots of fruit for snacking and dessert - apples, nectarines, bananas, watermelon and pineapple, all so fresh. Yum!

We watched the night sky and listened to the evening sounds. J commented on the noisy frogs - we did not remember them being here before. We fluffed our pillows, pulled light blankets over us and settled in to sleep in the cockpit under the stars! 

I made it until about 3 in the morning when I felt rain drops. I retreated to the aft berth. J lasted longer but by morning he was inside too. 

 

The morning sky was a little iffy so we checked the marine weather station. First thing we heard was "All vessels seek safe harbor!" A storm was headed our way from Detroit with lightning, hail and heavy winds. The warning was going to last for the next 2 hours. We hauled up the anchor and headed for the nearby 15 minute loading dock and tied up for safety. 

There were four or five people fishing from the small cement dock and they were curious about our move. Imagine my surprise when we turned on the radio again to learn that the storm has dissipated and the warning was withdrawn. All in less than half an hour!

We had our coffee (J makes the best cappuccino ever with a stovetop pot on the propane stove each morning!) We hung out for a bit and decided to head back a day early since the weather report was iffy each day and J had to be back at work the next night. We sailed toward South Bass Island as long as we could, then turned directly into the wind and turned on the engine to make it back to our home port.  As usual, J had a great time at the helm.

 

Being back at the dock felt secure and the yacht club has a great bar. We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner and watched a movie before calling it a night. Next morning we took our time with coffee and fruit for breakfast. Then we checked on the old boat which is being stored on shore nearby, and headed for home. Another fun, unpredictable trip. I cannot wait to come back!