Summary

Friday
The winds were calm Friday night when we left the dock for Houghton, hoping to beat the 40 knot winds that were predicted for Saturday. We raised the sails as we moved through the islands and then decided to reef the main. Renee had an intuition we needed a second reef as we approached the open lake and the winds were building, so it was put in just in time before emerging from Michigan Island's buffer. With Val at the helm, we moved out into heavy wind with 35 knot gusts and then rain, thunder, lightning. All this translated to some sick crew, not to mention a little trepidation. Valerie drove the whole night, swells higher than the boat. As we crossed the lake, the decision was made to head to Ontonagon for shelter, as Mark, Renee's husband, relayed by cell phone to us that more heavy weather was on its way. We arrived in Ontonagon just after sunrise.

Saturday
We spent Saturday safely in Ontanogon, but not without excitement. The boat draft was too deep to get into the marina so we tied up on the wall by the paper plant. Shortly after, we found the building waves coming up the channel from the lake were starting to endanger the boat so we cast off and moved up the river. After a couple of tries to approach small city docks, it was decided to anchor in the river and tie off to three points on shore, including a center light pole. Bob Rebow, the harbor master, was great as he assisted us on shore and a couple of sailors with dinghies from the marina helped us set the anchors off the bow of the boat. It was precarious, but everything held as we kept watch for the next 24 hours. We spent those hours getting settled in, assessing damage and getting some much needed rest.

Sunday
After a great breakfast prepared by Sam, we prepared to leave Ontonagon. We heard from Mark the weather was favorable to leave so we cast off all five lines, hauled up both anchors and headed back to the lake. The day was much more conducive sailing weather; winds 10-15, swells 1-3 ft.. Everyone had their turn at the helm; it was a beautiful day. We reached Houghton before dark. Bill got to spend the night in his own bed, and we grilled salmon, took showers and did laundry at the nice facility there.

Monday
We left Houghton about 8 a.m. The lake was dead calm, we motored the whole day on auto pilot. It was a day to catch up on sleep and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Our goal for Monday was Marquette. We spent about 12 hours motoring and docked in Marquette. We had excellent dock help, filling up the diesel and pumping out the head. We met other boats participating in the Trans that were also tucked in for the night.

Tuesday
We left Marquette at 7 a.m., gearing up for what would be the final overnight to the Soo. We got the day's wind conditions update from Mark, so we knew what to expect. We must say, through the whole trip, he was always spot on! As we made our way toward the Soo, the winds clocked more astern which forced us start a course of gibes to maintain the speed of our broad reach and avoid sailing too close to the lee. It was a clear night and as the full moon rose, it laid down a path of silver on the water that helped light the way; it was a beautiful sight. We knew winds would pick up after midnight, which indeed they did; again reaching into the mid- twenty kts. As we headed toward Whitefish Bay, we couldn't help but think of the Edmund Fitzgerald at this point. About 13 miles out from Whitefish Point, Val noted sounds from the mast that were of concern, so in high winds, the sails were brought down, and we motored into Whitefish Point just before 2:30 a.m. As we entered the bay we met two freighters leaving the bay headed out from the Soo; they looked like a parking lot on the water. From Whitefish Point Bay, we navigated through the shipping lanes by the GPS, passing more freighters in the night.

Wednesday
The sun was rising over Sault Ste Marie as we approached the locks on the US side. We pulled into the locks and took the easy ride to the low side of the river. Just below the locks, at about 6:45 a.m. we arrived at the dock at the George Kemp Marina; we had arrived! After a brief time at the gas dock, Angisina was moved into a slip where the transition from the delivery to the race began. The delivery crew off loaded their gear as well as other items used during delivery, but not needed for the race. We all posed for our crew picture taken by new found friends at the marina. The rental car arrived around 1:00 p.m.that would take Beth, Dan and Renee back home. We crammed the gear in what was supposed to be a full size car, and said our sad good byes. The delivery of Angisina to the Soo was complete; leaving us each with our own memories to sort and savor!



Photo Caption: Beth at the helm