Crossing from Grand Marais to the Apostle Islands was solo with good sailing, a mix of full sail and spinnaker toward the end. I picked up guests in Bayfield, WI and took them out for three days sailing in the islands as a treat to the family. After I drop them off I joined three other boats for a birthday party in Presque Isle Bay before crossing solo back to Grand Marais, MN.
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Approaching Rocky and South Twin Islands in the Apostle Islands
Anchor and rode positioned for the set |
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On "D" Dock, Apostle Islands Marina - Bayfield, WI
Behind Dash is my partner boat from Grand Marais - "Diversion" |
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First day was great, mid-70's, second day was hot in mid 90's!
Front row seats for the fireworks display. |
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4th of July Blind Rower Dinghy Race
The crew calls out directions to the blindfolded rower. |
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| 2nd from left are my guests for three days, they came in fourth and had never rowed before! |
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| Here they are in front of the picture, doing well as the other rowers run into each other rounding the mark. |
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| We are anchored on the north end of Oak Island with about 25 other boats |
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Guest crew is going ashore for a hike
Holly on left, sons Andrew and Robert on right |
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| The plan is to hike up to the cliff overlook, however, it was foiled by the warning of bears in the area, Holly was not feeling good about hiking through the woods and meeting up with a black bear. |
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| Holly and her son Robert relaxing on trampoline |
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| Made a lunch stop at Raspberry Island Lighthouse, crew hiked over from the east side of the island |
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| Overnight was on Sand Island at the sea caves in Justice Bay, only one other boat in the anchorage. Poor bottom hear, mostly rock. We later dragged in a severe thunderstorm. |
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| Fog was moving in and out as they explored the caves with the dinghy. |
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| You are able to row inside some of them, Robert got out and walked on a ledge in one of them. |
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| Exploring the arch at the point |
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| Robert bailing the dingy out after the storm the night before. He has it about half empty, it was almost full. We are anchored on the north side of York where we had to run in the dark of night when the T-Storm winds caused the anchor to drag. Two resets failed in the poor bottom of Justice Bay. |
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| The crew of Windseeker, another Grand Marais boat who joined Diversion and Dash for Art Kidd's birthday. Presque Isle Bay, Stockton Island |
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| The three Grand Marais boats, behind Dash are twin Catalina 34's |
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| Overlooking the anchorage |
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| Birthday boy, Art Kidd on right, with Rolfe and Lane Lindquist behind him. On the left is our friend from Ontonagon, MI, Tom Lee from Viking |
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| Hiking the island trails |
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| Another great overlook of Presque Isle Bay |
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| Viking (Allied Seawind) with solo crew, Tom Lee heading for dinner on Diversion |
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| Tom rowing in his tiny dinghy |
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| Always looking the part! |
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| Just the right size for one |
I did not join the others because I was departing at 0500 for the crossing to Grand Marais, about 50 nm. Hitting the sack early. The crossing was in heavy fog almost the whole way. Then it began to rain hard the last 15 nm. Motor sailed mostly, no close encounters with ships though I saw 3 or 4 on AIS. Used the radar some in places where smaller boats were likely. Trip went well. Topped the trip off with a fresh whitefish dinner at the Angry Trout with my daughter Kelly that evening.
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