Toughest Passage so Far...
11 August 2011
We left Put N Bay - smashing through 4-5 foot waves with gusts of wind of 20 mph and feeling a bit queasy, that is until we could turn to the South Channel and take the waves behind us. We "ran" most all of the way to Vermilion in rolling Lake Erie seas. Lake Erie can be as mean as a "rattlesnake" - which by the way they have - that is rattlesnakes. The waves were steep, close together, and they come up much more quickly than on Lakes Michigan or Huron. The water is green. We entered Vermilion after coming around to the west entrance because of shallow waters. The channel was picture perfect calm and we entered the second channel where we pulled into slip 3E - which turned out to be the slip owned by the couple we met and dined with in Port Sanilac. We have stayed for three nights as we waited for a new port light to arrive at West Marine. The people here have once again been generous and kind. Our boat neighbors Dr. Greg and John have been wonderful. John even loaned us his car so that Wiley could quickly go and pick up some marine hardware. We have had a delightful stay - though we missed going to the famous French Restaurant that overlooks the channel. We are planning to travel to Mentor Harbor next.