Wind and Waves

Thursday, August 20
Looked calm this morning. Weather Guessers thought the waves would not build until afternoon and the wind would be 10-15 out of the south. As with most weather predictions on the lakes this one was wrong also.
When we go out on to the lake at 10:00 the wind was about 10-15 from the south and the waves were 2-4 already. As we only had 17 miles to go we kept going. Well it did not take too long (just long enough to keep us from turning back) for the winds to pick up to 20-25 mph from the south.
You sailors out there know that if you gt in the lee of the land (for non sailors-the lee of the land is the area where the land blocks most of the wind) the waves will be smaller since they do not have time to build. Does not work on Lake Erie! The wind was coming from the land, but the waves were coming straight down the lake – plenty of time to build – and before long we saw the occasional 6 footer.
Annie the canal dog was really unhappy, and Carole was not thrilled either, nor was I But we persevered and with only the glass covering a picture broken in the end.
We entered Fairport Harbor about 1:00. Seas were gone, but not the wind. We will stay in a Marina tonight and probably tomorrow night. It looks like we won't get back on the road until Sunday or Monday.
Went to Pickle Pete's for an appetizer of Fried Pickles. Kosher Pickle quarters batter dipped and deep fried. Pretty good! Interesting place. Clothes mannequins all over in strange dress and wild poses. Like two women at a table. One with her shoes on the table and the other doubled over laughing wildly. Pretty popular place and if the pickles are any indication the food should be good. We may give it a try tomorrow.
Meanwhile we are sitting out a series of violent thunderstorms. Sky black and high winds.
On to dinner at home.
We are actually in Grand River Ohio – across the river from Fairport.
Friday August 21
Work day. Sanding and treating the teak. Cleaning the inside.
Weather very nice in the river. We hear it is nasty on the lake.
Carole and I took a walk through town. Small town, nice houses, mostly well kept. One house had a pig sty. Got a rather stony look from the pig
We will have to see about tomorrow.
Had dinner at Brennan's which was recommended for lake perch. It was good but greasy.
Saturday August 22
Clear and cool today. Wind is from the North. Lake is still messy.
We sat with our neighbors and had coffee this morning. The entertainment was watching Carole chase Annie who was chasing a mink around the dock. Seems there have been a couple of wild mink around the dock and Annie saw this one about halfway across the walkway. When she chased it ti ran under the steps and out the other side. Then back under as Annie came around. They went back and forth a few times until the mink ran down the dock and around the corner of a boat, about the same time that Carole caught Annie. Haven't seen the mink since, but Annie is ever hopeful.
Sunday August 23
Went to breakfast this morning with our neighbors on both sides. The slipowner next to us returned last night at 10:30 after a 14 hour slog from Canada. They were on a sailboat and were motorsailing all day. Waves were 4-6 and they were beat, but this morning all was well.
Today we did a little work and one of the neighbors took Carole to the market while I helped troubleshoot an electrical problem on the sailboat. We then all sat down with a couple of beers and some Salsa and several other local slip owners.
You see all of these emails with a mouse and a cat or a cat and a dog, or a hippopotamus and turtle, or whatever and the caption “Why can't we all get along. Well in my pictures you will see that we can. Speedboat, Trawler and Sailboat sailors all having a great day together. Thanks, Dave, Dave, Chris, & Renee, for being hospitable and fun,
Had Dinner at Pickle Pete's and the food was good. the steamed mussels were excellent. I had perch here and it was really good.
Tomorrow looks like departure for Cleveland and beyond.
Cleveland, Ohio that is – did you know that there is a Cleveland in 21 different States?
Take Care,
Mitch