Woolamaloo in Detroit
Click on the pictures for a better view.
September 19, 2017 - This is my fourth straight year for a September solo sailing trip. I wanted to leave early on Monday but had too many last minute work issues. I got some sleep in the evening and left Cleveland just after midnight on Tuesday. This September has been unseasonably warm and there was very little wind. I motored through a mostly starless night.
September 19, 2017 - This is my fourth straight year for a September solo sailing trip. I wanted to leave early on Monday but had too many last minute work issues. I got some sleep in the evening and left Cleveland just after midnight on Tuesday. This September has been unseasonably warm and there was very little wind. I motored through a mostly starless night.
The sky was mostly overcast, but I was treated to a nice sunrise. I was completely out of sight of land.
The sky was mostly overcast, but I was treated to a nice sunrise. I was completely out of sight of land.
The lake was nice and calm so I made some coffee while underway.
The lake was nice and calm so I made some coffee while underway.
Right around sunrise, I went through a small shower. You can see the shower I passed through - along with a couple others.
Right around sunrise, I went through a small shower. You can see the shower I passed through - along with a couple others.
This was what my morning looked like. It was actually very pleasant. I had my foul weather gear on and was warm and dry with a cup of coffee. It was quiet - other than the sound of the engine. The horizon was close on all sides. I loved the solitude of it.
This was what my morning looked like. It was actually very pleasant. I had my foul weather gear on and was warm and dry with a cup of coffee. It was quiet - other than the sound of the engine. The horizon was close on all sides. I loved the solitude of it.
Just as I was getting to Scudder Marina on Pelee Island, my pleasant morning shower turned into a deluge. Wind was still minimal and I docked and got dried off. This is about an hour later after I cleared Canadian customs and checked into the marina.
Just as I was getting to Scudder Marina on Pelee Island, my pleasant morning shower turned into a deluge. Wind was still minimal and I docked and got dried off. This is about an hour later after I cleared Canadian customs and checked into the marina.
A Tuesday in September is not the high tourist season on the islands. I got a cab ride down to the winery and had a couple glasses of wine.
A Tuesday in September is not the high tourist season on the islands. I got a cab ride down to the winery and had a couple glasses of wine.
Perch sandwich and a couple beers at the Westview Tavern on Pelee Island.
Perch sandwich and a couple beers at the Westview Tavern on Pelee Island.
September 20, 2017 - On Wednesday, I had an easy day planned. There was still very little wind so I had a three and a half hour motor to Colchester, Ontario. I crossed through the main shipping channel. But I had a new tool onboard - AIS. (Automatic Identification System)
September 20, 2017 - On Wednesday, I had an easy day planned. There was still very little wind so I had a three and a half hour motor to Colchester, Ontario. I crossed through the main shipping channel. But I had a new tool onboard - AIS. (Automatic Identification System)
This is the Herbert C. Jackson. It was travelling at 12.3 knots and is going to pass just a little more than a half mile from me.
This is the Herbert C. Jackson. It was travelling at 12.3 knots and is going to pass just a little more than a half mile from me.
I got a new VHF radio this year that includes AIS - and I have a remote handset in the cockpit. This is a terrific tool that came in handy particularly when I was in the Detroit river.
I got a new VHF radio this year that includes AIS - and I have a remote handset in the cockpit. This is a terrific tool that came in handy particularly when I was in the Detroit river.
Besides the radio, AIS, and GPS, I still love using paper charts.
Besides the radio, AIS, and GPS, I still love using paper charts.
Western Lake Erie has issues with green algae caused by farm runoff. I motored through it for a couple hours.
Western Lake Erie has issues with green algae caused by farm runoff. I motored through it for a couple hours.
Colchester, Ontario
Colchester, Ontario
Colchester is a nice town in Southern Ontario. This is the marina. Mine is the only mast you can see in this picture.
Colchester is a nice town in Southern Ontario. This is the marina. Mine is the only mast you can see in this picture.
After having lunch at the Colchester tavern and coming back to work for a couple hours, I was able to get the tribe game on AM radio and watch the sunset.
After having lunch at the Colchester tavern and coming back to work for a couple hours, I was able to get the tribe game on AM radio and watch the sunset.
I spent some time planning my ascent on the Detroit River with a couple glasses of Bourbon.
I spent some time planning my ascent on the Detroit River with a couple glasses of Bourbon.
September 21, 2017 - I left Colchester a little after 8 a.m. - again with very little wind. I minded the lack of wind less than most days because I knew I'd be motoring up the Detroit River anyway. It took me about 2 hours in Lake Erie to get to the mouth of the river.
September 21, 2017 - I left Colchester a little after 8 a.m. - again with very little wind. I minded the lack of wind less than most days because I knew I'd be motoring up the Detroit River anyway. It took me about 2 hours in Lake Erie to get to the mouth of the river.
Once in the river, I was going against the current. In flat calm, my 14 HP diesel engine pushes my 9,000 pound boat at about 4.7 knots. Most of this day, I made less than 3 knots because of the river current.
Once in the river, I was going against the current. In flat calm, my 14 HP diesel engine pushes my 9,000 pound boat at about 4.7 knots. Most of this day, I made less than 3 knots because of the river current.
There's no bridge to Bois Blanc Island in the Detroit River. This ferry went back and forth in front of me several times as I slowly chugged up river.
There's no bridge to Bois Blanc Island in the Detroit River. This ferry went back and forth in front of me several times as I slowly chugged up river.
My friend, the Herbert C. Jackson, now empty, heading back up river for another load. In the several days I was on the river, I passed about 20 ships. (Well, they passed me.) I won't show them all here but it was amazing to see these giants hustling past me.
My friend, the Herbert C. Jackson, now empty, heading back up river for another load. In the several days I was on the river, I passed about 20 ships. (Well, they passed me.) I won't show them all here but it was amazing to see these giants hustling past me.
Perch dinner at the Hideout Grill in LaSalle, Ontario
Perch dinner at the Hideout Grill in LaSalle, Ontario
Docked in LaSalle, Ontario
Docked in LaSalle, Ontario
September 22, 2017 - This should have been another short day. I motored to a downtown marina in Detroit but they wouldn't give me a reservation. I had to go to one of the marinas north of Detroit. This is the Ambassador bridge and downtown Detroit.
September 22, 2017 - This should have been another short day. I motored to a downtown marina in Detroit but they wouldn't give me a reservation. I had to go to one of the marinas north of Detroit. This is the Ambassador bridge and downtown Detroit.
I probably cleared the Ambassador Bridge by over 100 feet. This picture is still mandatory.
I probably cleared the Ambassador Bridge by over 100 feet. This picture is still mandatory.
Downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit
This is the Peche Island light - with Peche Island on the right. To the horizon on the left is Lake St. Clair.
This is the Peche Island light - with Peche Island on the right. To the horizon on the left is Lake St. Clair.
Docked with Detroit in the distance
Docked with Detroit in the distance
The best part of the trip is that Kathleen drove up to Detroit to spend the weekend with me. This is the Polish Village Cafe in Hamtramck (a Detroit neighborhood). This is one of my favorite restaurants ever.
The best part of the trip is that Kathleen drove up to Detroit to spend the weekend with me. This is the Polish Village Cafe in Hamtramck (a Detroit neighborhood). This is one of my favorite restaurants ever.
Their menu. This is my third visit to the Polish Village Cafe. It was easy not to get the Polish Plate this time - because Kathleen was getting it.
Their menu. This is my third visit to the Polish Village Cafe. It was easy not to get the Polish Plate this time - because Kathleen was getting it.
I've included this picture of Kathleen reading her breadsticks because it's one of the few pictures I took of her this weekend.
I've included this picture of Kathleen reading her breadsticks because it's one of the few pictures I took of her this weekend.
Czarnina - also known as Duck Blood Soup. Fantastic. It has duck, prunes, apples, and noodles in a vinegar flavored broth. Of course, it has duck blood too. Kathleen wouldn't try it. It was great.
Czarnina - also known as Duck Blood Soup. Fantastic. It has duck, prunes, apples, and noodles in a vinegar flavored broth. Of course, it has duck blood too. Kathleen wouldn't try it. It was great.
We needed no "appetizer" but we got potato pancakes anyway. Great.
We needed no "appetizer" but we got potato pancakes anyway. Great.
Kathleen's Polish Plate. Clockwise from top. Pierogi (with sour cream), sausage, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, and stuffed cabbage.
Kathleen's Polish Plate. Clockwise from top. Pierogi (with sour cream), sausage, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, and stuffed cabbage.
The "Pick 3 Combo." Clockwise from top. Sauerkraut, Cabbage Roll, City Chicken, Green Beans, Chicken Livers with Onions, Mashed Potatoes. Wow.
The "Pick 3 Combo." Clockwise from top. Sauerkraut, Cabbage Roll, City Chicken, Green Beans, Chicken Livers with Onions, Mashed Potatoes. Wow.
They have live music in the Polish Village Cafe. They played Stardust for us. He got a big tip.
They have live music in the Polish Village Cafe. They played Stardust for us. He got a big tip.
Polish Village Cafe - one of my happy places.
Polish Village Cafe - one of my happy places.
September 23, 2017 - Since this is technically a boat trip, Kathleen and I slept on the boat despite the heat. We actually had enough breeze that we had a pleasant night. The next morning, there were rowers out on the Detroit River. My picture also captured a fish jumping out of the water in the lower right corner.
September 23, 2017 - Since this is technically a boat trip, Kathleen and I slept on the boat despite the heat. We actually had enough breeze that we had a pleasant night. The next morning, there were rowers out on the Detroit River. My picture also captured a fish jumping out of the water in the lower right corner.
I've been wanting to tour the Ford Rouge factory for years. This is their "living roof."
I've been wanting to tour the Ford Rouge factory for years. This is their "living roof."
We couldn't take pictures in the factory but it was very interesting to see the pickup trucks being assembled. This is a selection of other cars that have been built here.
We couldn't take pictures in the factory but it was very interesting to see the pickup trucks being assembled. This is a selection of other cars that have been built here.
We ate lunch at the cafe at the Ford Museum. Look at this trout salad. It was delicious.
We ate lunch at the cafe at the Ford Museum. Look at this trout salad. It was delicious.
I love the locomotive turntable at Greenfield Village.
I love the locomotive turntable at Greenfield Village.
I got a nice angle of the turntable later in the day and got photobombed by one of the village's Model A drivers as he drove into frame.
I got a nice angle of the turntable later in the day and got photobombed by one of the village's Model A drivers as he drove into frame.
This is NOT our room for the night. This is a reconstruction of a typical Holiday Inn from 1965.
This is NOT our room for the night. This is a reconstruction of a typical Holiday Inn from 1965.
It sure feels like I stayed in the room when I was a kid. Kathleen loved this.
It sure feels like I stayed in the room when I was a kid. Kathleen loved this.
Henry Ford was a visionary when it came to preserving historical treasures. This is the chair that Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated.
Henry Ford was a visionary when it came to preserving historical treasures. This is the chair that Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated.
This is the bus that Rosa Parks rode when she first refused to sit in the back.
This is the bus that Rosa Parks rode when she first refused to sit in the back.
Inside the Rosa Parks bus
Inside the Rosa Parks bus
The Ford Museum also has all the retired Presidential limousines. This is the one that Reagan was entering when he was shot. The next one in the row is the Kennedy limousine. They have all of them back to Theodore Roosevelt's horse-drawn Brougham.
The Ford Museum also has all the retired Presidential limousines. This is the one that Reagan was entering when he was shot. The next one in the row is the Kennedy limousine. They have all of them back to Theodore Roosevelt's horse-drawn Brougham.
This is the actual room we stayed in on Saturday night. Yes, it was swanky. But I chose it more for its location.
This is the actual room we stayed in on Saturday night. Yes, it was swanky. But I chose it more for its location.
This is the view from the window of our room. We're going to a Tigers game.
This is the view from the window of our room. We're going to a Tigers game.
This is our first trip to Comerica Park. The Tigers lost to the Twins 4-10.
This is our first trip to Comerica Park. The Tigers lost to the Twins 4-10.
This is a view of our inn from Comerica Park.
This is a view of our inn from Comerica Park.
The Inn at 97 Winder
The Inn at 97 Winder
September 24, 2017 - Kathleen dropped me off at the boat Sunday morning and she drove home. I headed back down the river. This is the Detroit Princess under the Ambassador Bridge. As the Detroit Princess passed me, I think every passenger onboard waved to me. Very nice.
September 24, 2017 - Kathleen dropped me off at the boat Sunday morning and she drove home. I headed back down the river. This is the Detroit Princess under the Ambassador Bridge. As the Detroit Princess passed me, I think every passenger onboard waved to me. Very nice.
U.S. Steel factory. This was one of many factories, terminals, and warehouses along the river.
U.S. Steel factory. This was one of many factories, terminals, and warehouses along the river.
The heavily loaded Manitowoc. Look how low it is in the water. I see this boat in Cleveland quite often.
The heavily loaded Manitowoc. Look how low it is in the water. I see this boat in Cleveland quite often.
I didn't realize until the Manitowoc passed me that its home port is Cleveland. But I noticed that it was flying Browns and Indians flags from their radar tower.
I didn't realize until the Manitowoc passed me that its home port is Cleveland. But I noticed that it was flying Browns and Indians flags from their radar tower.
The Livingstone Channel is the downbound channel that goes right to Lake Erie. This picture just doesn't do it justice. It's laser straight and lined by trees for over 4 miles. On this Sunday, there were hundreds of boats drag racing up and down the channel and anchoring at the north end of the channel.
The Livingstone Channel is the downbound channel that goes right to Lake Erie. This picture just doesn't do it justice. It's laser straight and lined by trees for over 4 miles. On this Sunday, there were hundreds of boats drag racing up and down the channel and anchoring at the north end of the channel.
Back in Lake Erie.
Back in Lake Erie.
This mild picture is hiding some drama. This is the Lake Erie Metropark Marina in Michigan. I called earlier in the day and the very nice woman I spoke with assured me that my 5'10" draft would "probably be fine" if I stayed in the channel. My engine was overheating due to a partially blocked water intake but I was close to being done for the day as I entered this channel. Before I even made it to the marina, I softly ran aground in what felt like mud. I was able to back out of the mud and head back out into the lake.
This mild picture is hiding some drama. This is the Lake Erie Metropark Marina in Michigan. I called earlier in the day and the very nice woman I spoke with assured me that my 5'10" draft would "probably be fine" if I stayed in the channel. My engine was overheating due to a partially blocked water intake but I was close to being done for the day as I entered this channel. Before I even made it to the marina, I softly ran aground in what felt like mud. I was able to back out of the mud and head back out into the lake.
After abandoning that marina, I needed to decide where to go next. The next closest marina was 2 hours away in Ontario. I decided to sail all the way to Kelleys Island. With the wind I was getting, I'd get there by noon the next morning. It was going to be a long night. Luckily, a little wind (8-10 knots) arrived and I was making 4-5 knots.
After abandoning that marina, I needed to decide where to go next. The next closest marina was 2 hours away in Ontario. I decided to sail all the way to Kelleys Island. With the wind I was getting, I'd get there by noon the next morning. It was going to be a long night. Luckily, a little wind (8-10 knots) arrived and I was making 4-5 knots.
After having an overheated engine and running aground, I had some of the most pleasant sailing ever. It was quite a turn around. I had to tack a couple times in the night to avoid cargo ships but the conditions were perfect.
After having an overheated engine and running aground, I had some of the most pleasant sailing ever. It was quite a turn around. I had to tack a couple times in the night to avoid cargo ships but the conditions were perfect.
However, it was a long night. It took me a little over 15 hours to get to Kelleys Island from Detroit. It will be one of the sailing nights I'll remember forever. I left both sails unreefed and threaded my way through the shipping channel and the Lake Erie Islands and made it to the North Bay of Kelleys Island around 3 a.m. where I dropped anchor.
However, it was a long night. It took me a little over 15 hours to get to Kelleys Island from Detroit. It will be one of the sailing nights I'll remember forever. I left both sails unreefed and threaded my way through the shipping channel and the Lake Erie Islands and made it to the North Bay of Kelleys Island around 3 a.m. where I dropped anchor.
September 25, 2017 - After dropping anchor around 3 a.m. I sat in the cockpit and had a couple glasses of Bourbon and watched the stars. It was wonderful. I was awakened around 8 a.m. by a dog on shore barking at my solitary boat. I got up and made coffee.
September 25, 2017 - After dropping anchor around 3 a.m. I sat in the cockpit and had a couple glasses of Bourbon and watched the stars. It was wonderful. I was awakened around 8 a.m. by a dog on shore barking at my solitary boat. I got up and made coffee.
After breakfast I motored around the west side of Kelleys. You can see Perry's Monument on South Bass Island.
After breakfast I motored around the west side of Kelleys. You can see Perry's Monument on South Bass Island.
It took me about an hour to motor to the south side of the island to get a slip at Portside Marina.
It took me about an hour to motor to the south side of the island to get a slip at Portside Marina.
I worked here for a couple hours. In the distance you can see the mainland.
I worked here for a couple hours. In the distance you can see the mainland.
I had lunch at the Casino. (Just a bar - not actually a casino.) There's something particularly nice about seeing my boat from my seat at the bar. (Look past the teal green umbrella.)
I had lunch at the Casino. (Just a bar - not actually a casino.) There's something particularly nice about seeing my boat from my seat at the bar. (Look past the teal green umbrella.)
My favorite stop on Kelleys Island is the glacial grooves. They were scraped through the limestone and are 350 to 400 million years old.
My favorite stop on Kelleys Island is the glacial grooves. They were scraped through the limestone and are 350 to 400 million years old.
A second Kelleys Island favorite is Inscription Rock. It was carved by Native Americans between 1200 and 1600.
A second Kelleys Island favorite is Inscription Rock. It was carved by Native Americans between 1200 and 1600.
I got around the island on this mean machine. I had it for about an hour and it cost me a little more than ten bucks. Great bargain and great fun.
I got around the island on this mean machine. I had it for about an hour and it cost me a little more than ten bucks. Great bargain and great fun.
After a nap and a couple hours of work, I was treated to a fantastic sunset.
After a nap and a couple hours of work, I was treated to a fantastic sunset.
September 26, 2017 - I set my alarm for 6 but woke up around 5 a.m.. I set off well before sunrise for the trip back to Cleveland.
September 26, 2017 - I set my alarm for 6 but woke up around 5 a.m.. I set off well before sunrise for the trip back to Cleveland.
Even though it was quite hot, it turned out to be a decent sailing day. I made the 46 miles in a little less than 9.5 hours.
Even though it was quite hot, it turned out to be a decent sailing day. I made the 46 miles in a little less than 9.5 hours.
As I pulled into Cleveland, I realized that I rarely actually take a picture of my marina - Whiskey Island. It's a great place. Protected but easy access to Lake Erie with great views of the Cleveland skyline as well as the lighthouses on the Cuyahoga River entrance.
As I pulled into Cleveland, I realized that I rarely actually take a picture of my marina - Whiskey Island. It's a great place. Protected but easy access to Lake Erie with great views of the Cleveland skyline as well as the lighthouses on the Cuyahoga River entrance.
Back home
Back home
Here's the GPS track of the trip. 222 nautical miles (255 statute miles) 52 hours on the water.
Here's the GPS track of the trip. 222 nautical miles (255 statute miles) 52 hours on the water.