We headed out from Windsor this morning at about 8:30. We enjoyed the current which added a couple of knots to our speed as we passed down the Detroit River. We had to share the river with a couple of very large freighters which was a bit intimidating as they were really moving. The forecast was calling for possible showers and thunderstorms late in the day. We had to make a call on catching a slip at the end of the river or venturing out into Lake Erie and across to the Lake to the Bass lslands. We were at the point of no return before noon and the sky looked pretty good so we voted on continuing across.

Once out in the lake we were treated to waves coming off the port bow and 10 knot head winds. The lake depth outside of the shipping lane, which extends for miles into the lake, was approx 10’ so you gotta pay attention here too! The water colour turned to a pea soup shade of green as Lake Erie suffers from a very large algae problem. Halfway across the lake the US Coast Guard issued severe thunderstorm warnings for late in the afternoon for the eastern end of Lake Erie. Warp factor 8 Mr. Sulu!!!

We managed to get into Lower Bass Island at 4 pm, grabbed a mooring ball and headed ashore to introduce the local squirrel population to the Finninator. There are likely few predators on the island as the squirrels showed little fear of him so we had to keep him on his elastic leash (shock absorber built in so he doesn’t snap his neck when we goes for whatever prey he sees!)

The Bass Islands are about 10 miles SW of Pelee island and have year round residents but it is mainly a resort destination for the population on the Lake Erie Ohio shore. It was a very nice place with the popular choice of transportation being the golf cart. There was also a very large monument, over 300’ tall, commemorating a battle of the war of 1812. I’m sure it takes its share of lightning strikes being the highest thing around for miles.

Lower Bass Island happens to be the location of the bridge of the Benson Ford freighter that some industrious, and prosperous owner transformed into a cottage on a cliff of the island. We couldn’t get close enough for a photo due to lack of deep water, so I borrowed this shot from the internet. (Gary L. This is the one you sent the link on a few months back!)
We got back to the boat just as the skies opened up with 40 knot winds and torrential rains. When these guys call storms, they don’t fool around!