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From: Blossom Molnar [mailto:blossom1972@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 7:52 AM
Subject: Bahamas Trip Update
Hi,
We are anchored just over a mile from the Statue of Liberty and it is so neat to wake up and see her and the sun rise.
This trip is too much fun and we are not doing a good job of documenting it to share with our family and friends. Hopefully, we will do better. Our plan is to start documeting the Erie Canal stuff today. The following is our Lake Erie trip.
Blossom & Steve
Introduction
Odyssey, n. 1. (italics) an epic poem attributed to Homer, describing Odysseus’ adventures in his ten year attempt to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. 2. (often l.c.) any long series of wanderings, esp. when filled with notable experiences, hardships, etc.”
My Mom and my sister, Patti, named our trip the “Presto Odyssey”. We feel it should be called the “Presto – Manatee Odyssey” (PMO….sounds like a medical service or a female condition??? But easier to write!) because we are in this adventure together! Per the definition, we only plan on a year,“wanderings”, no, I think the captains have it fairly planned, “filled with notable experiences”, yes, and “hardships”, we hopefully will have none of those! For the first part of our journey, we will have another boat, Lady Love, travel with us too. But she has some different plans. We will party together as much as possible.
The PMO was born last September 30, 2006, by Captain Jeff Bacon. Many sailing vessels agreed to join in the fun, but me thinks it might have been influenced a bit by the keg at Harbor North. Captain Ed was planning on sailing Lady Love to her new home in the south and liked the idea of some company (more able bodied men to take down and set up the mast!). I believe it took a millisecond to convince Captain Steve. All he needed was the Admiral’s approval. Again, the keg at Harbor North is taking the blame. The plan was originally to leave on August 1, 2007. The date was moved up a bit so we could do what everyone at Harbor North enjoys, eat and party together! So, Sunday, July 29, 2007 was the start day for the Presto – Manatee Odyssey!
Chapter 1 – The Evening Before
On Saturday evening July 28, 2007, many of our Harbor North extended family gathered. At 6:30pm, Father Gene conducted a “Blessing of the three boats: The Lady Love, The Manatee, and The Presto”. It was a beautiful service.
We were sad that Lady Love wasn’t present because of prior commitments, but included her in our prayers. Father Gene boarded Presto & Manatee and anointed the boats and crews (including Hatch, the boat dog). A champagne toast followed provided by Ellen and Bruce. Then we ate and enjoyed the evening with our wonderful friends. (wonderful friends included: Sandy, Jeff, Zack & Hatch; Christine, Randy & Pelee; Becky, Ron & Kelley; Ellen & Jack; Brenda, Bruce & Matt; Debbie & Stan; Joyce & Gene; Cathy & Bill; Connie & Pat; Vickie, Ron, Milo & Jasmin; Paula & Jerry; and others stopped by: Lori & Jerry, Mark, TJ, Tim, and John. I wonder who I left out? Anyway, a lot of folks. There was some kind of a mix up that the SSSC didn’t come up too.)
Chapter 2 – Lake Erie
Day 1: 7-29-07 Huron to Lorain (engine hours: 295.4)
We were up early (7:10am, I don’t think Sandy and I got much sleep!) along with most of the Harbor North family. Steve left our coffee and tea in the cockpit. Pelee came on board for one last visit! Sandy made us “Bahamas or Bust” signs. There were tons of folks lined up on the dock. “Passin Wind” lead the way out with Captain Ron snapping pictures. At 8:15am, Manatee pushed away from the dock first and Presto followed close behind. Then we all circled in the river, until “Eagles Wing II”, “Tropical Dreamers” and “C-Breeze” joined us. There was a lot of picture taking. We had our engine off at 8:43am and were sailing away from Huron. It was a great, fast first day! The winds held mostly around 15 to 16 knots, with a top wind of 22k.
The waves were 2 to 3 feet, but I’m sure there were some 3 to 4s in there! It was sunny, hot and hazy. Everyone was having fun sailing around each other. “C-Breeze” did a fancy maneuver and sailed very close to Presto!
The first boat to break off was “Passin Wind” with Becky, Ron and Kelley.
Then “C-Breeze” started heading back in. Originally, “Eagles Wing II” and “Tropical Dreamers” planned on sailing with us to Cleveland. But Captain Jerry on EWII had an old war injury (bad back) start acting up and they turned back at around at Vermilion. So it was the PMO and “Tropical Dreamers”, Captain Ron and “crew” (Vicki, Jasmin & Milo) sailing across Lake Erie.
The plan was to sail to Cleveland, but Jasmin & Milo were getting “uncomfortable” on bouncy Lake Erie. They thought heading into Spitzer Lakeside Marina in Lorain would be a good stop! The crew on Presto & Manatee agreed! Presto and Tropical Dreamers were docked next to each other. Manatee was directly across from us, next to the amazing Captain Nemo! (he was a real piece of cake/seaweed/oh, yes, there is a better word, but not appropriate to print!) Zack stopped to visit and Meg & Ken came too. It was an interesting first day. Think we were all tired from the excitement and the sail.
We were out 6 hours 12 minutes, sailed 5 hours 25 minutes; top speed 7.86, average speed 5.04; trip 30.6nm.
Day 2: 7-30-07 Lorain to Cleveland
We were up early. Did some re-organizing of our stuff. All sorts of stuff went flying yesterday (including dogs) during our sail. Jeff doesn’t feel too great after his Mexican dinner last night with Meg & Ken. Sandy’s a little shaky too. We all hope it’s a little smoother on the lake today.
We’re leaving after the office opens at 9am, so we can return the pass-keys.
The 2nd sail- engine on at 9:16am. We were just pulling out when we heard Ed Shank on the radio. He’s disappointed we left without him. He and his crew (Mike) spent last night in Vermilion. So now we are four boats headingfor Cleveland.
The sail was another fast, powerful one. We sailed a little faster than yesterday. Had to reef a bit, but still a great sail! We pulled into the Edgewater Yacht Club at 3:15pm. This time we were all able to dock next to each other. Jeff teased if the wind was like this tomorrow; he’s staying another day here! Meg & Ken visited again and Zack came up too. Betsy and Tom drove over and took us to the Great Lakes Brewery for dinner. Originally, we were planning on being in Fairport Harbor in Mentor, but that didn’t work out. It was a beautiful evening. Walking up to the dock with the city of Cleveland lit up in the background was picture perfect. Betsy gave us their itinerary for their trip out west. We need to send ours to them when we have internet access. She also gave us two neat magnets and two musical cards to play in the Bahamas. We also met Sheila & Jack on “Windy Affair IV” from Bay City, MI. They are on their way home. They spent this past winter in Key Largo, FL. They shared a lot of information. Really nice folks.
We were out 6 hours 9 minutes. Sailed 5 hours 20 min. top speed 8.91 average speed 5.17. trip 30.4 nm total 61 nm
Day 3: 7-31-07 Cleveland to Geneva
We were all up early. The lake is basically flat. Be careful what you wish for Jeff! We had a tearful good bye with Vicki, Ron, Jasmin & Milo. Hard to believe we won’t see them for so long. (They had to motor the whole way back and had some engine problems and had to be towed! Bummer)
We turned the engine on at 8:58 am and didn’t turn it off until 3:33 pm! We did motor sail for 2 hours and 5 min., but it really didn’t increase our speed very much.
Originally, we planned on going to Ashtabula to either the Ashtabula Yacht Club or Sutherland’s. But when Steve finally got a hold of Sutherland’s, they told him the yacht club was being dredged and they were next, and there isn’t a place for us. Steve had already reached the Geneva State Park and they said they had plenty of room.
Jeff was able to reach Jim Banks. They were heading for Dunkirk and will hopefully meet up with us in Erie tomorrow.
It’s pretty boring just motoring along. I did take a couple of naps and Steve even took one! Thank goodness, the bugs aren’t bad!
We were the first boat to pull into the Geneva State Park. We docked along the wall at #19. They asked us to pull in tight to allow for more boats. Lady Love was next. We left a space between us for Manatee. Ed likes to get an early start since he’s the smallest/slowest…..but he really isn’t that slow!
Hatch was a happy puppy. There is a path to the beach and he had a blast swimming in the lake!
We (Steve) gave the cockpit a bucket wash. (the bugs were bad) We ate calzone on our boat. Manatee ate in too. Zack stopped by …he had to work at the Perry Nuclear Plant today and saw us sailing by. The boys (Ed & Mike) went out to eat. We walked to town and then on the way back, watched the beautiful sunset.
We were out 6 hours 35 min., top speed 7.67, average speed 6.79 Trip 42 nm total trip 103nm
Day 4: 8-1-07 Geneva to Erie, PA
We were awake early. Took the constitutional walk at 6:45 am. Ran into Jeff. He said Ed discovered some diesel in his bilge. They had to figure that out. So much for leaving by 8 am. Hatch played in the water again.
Ed and Mike came back from the shower (worked up a sweat) and were ready to leave. They took off first, then Manatee at 9:20 am. We turned our engine on at 9:23 am and off at 5:08pm. We did pull the main out for 2 hours and 18 min., but never turned the engine off. The bugs started getting bad before 11. Steve even hooked up the fan in the cockpit to keep them off his face. He even put auto on and sat below looking out the window! When this happens again, which I’m sure it will, I’ll do what Manatee and Lady Love did. Pull up buckets of water from the lake and keep washing the bugs away!
We docked at the Erie Yacht Club. Really a nice facility. Cheryl & Jim and Mary & Don were already there. Steve was able to get on the internet and do some work. We ate at the Yacht Club Grille with Sandy, Jeff, Cheryl, Jim, Mary and Don. We are getting tired of the motor noise. Hope there is wind tomorrow.
We were out 7 hours, 45 min. top speed: 7.86 average speed, 6.81 trip 50 nm total 153 nm
If we would have gone 4 more miles today, it would have been the same distance as Lake Worth to the Bahamas (West End).
Day 5: 8-2-07 Erie, PA to Dunkirk, NY
We were awake early and did a lot of business on the computer. Lady Love left first and then Manatee. The wind was only about 5 – 5.6 from the south and the water was glassy smooth. So it was motoring again! Turned the engine on at 8:29am and off at 3:28pm. Chris called just after 11am. He’s up on Lake Ontario fishing until Sunday. The Captains on Manatee and Presto decided to play with their RPMs. Presto went to 3500, no problems. Manatee went to 3600 and over heated. Jeff ended up jumping in to check things out below the water line. Steve pulled the sails out and killed the engine. We sailed for 1 hour and 5 min. and let Manatee get in front of us. Jeff isn’t sure why they over heated. (When we pulled the jib in, we had some problems. Will have to check that out.) At about 2pm the flies and Japanese beetles were really getting bad. We got the bucket out and started cleaning the cockpit. At around 2:40pm, Lady Love was heading into the Dunkirk Yacht Club and took a wrong turn and ran into some soft mud. They got out of it and docked at the DYC. Then we docked with no problems and Manatee followed in behind us. It is SO hot and humid. The Dunkirk Yacht Club is the only floating yacht club in the world. (so they say) The people there are so nice. Poured each of us a cold beer….the first one is free. Even had a bowl of water for Hatch. We ate dinner in town with Sandy & Jeff and then went grocery shopping. We walked back watching the huge orange sunset. So Pretty!
Out: 6 hours 59 min. Sailed 1 hour 5 min. top speed 8.22 average speed 6.34
Trip 43 nm Total 196 nm
Day 6: 8-3-07 Dunkirk, NY to Buffalo, NY
Not that I am superstitious, or anything, but today marks the 13th sail of Presto for the 2007th season. But in the back of my mind, I am prepared for at least one silly thing to happen that I can associate with the number 13!
We were up early as usual. Visited with Bill (we are docked in his slip), Jim, and another DYC member. Such absolutely nice folks! On the way home, they want us to stop on a Friday so we can party with them! Bill came aboard Presto to check her out. Sandy made a rubbing of Bill’s name plate at his dock. I have it hanging onboard, he signed it and wrote his phone number down so we can call him. (his wife is a quilter too)
Manatee and Lady Love took off while Presto was entertaining. The engine started at 8:41am and was off at 1:44pm. It was a rockin’ and rollin’ day.
Pulled the main & jib out and that helped a bit. But the waves kept building up and it was hot, humid and hazy!
We figured out a list of projects we wanted to accomplish when we were docked at the Buffalo Yacht Club. At around 12:55pm the city of Buffalo could just be seen through the haze. Just before the break wall, Steve tried to pull the jib in. It was stuck. Something is definitely wrong with it. I dropped the jib halyard and Steve shoved the sail down the front
hatch onto the v-berth. What a mess. Then inside the break wall, we took the main in. I hope that’s Presto’s only fiasco on this PMO!
The Buffalo Yacht Club is actually on the Black Rock Canal. This runs parallel to the Niagara River. The river has some strong currents. Docking at the BYC was a challenge. Their guest docks are right in the canal and the wind was blowing. Plus, they have low floating docks and no dock hands to help us. Luckily, a member got off his boat and helped us. It wasn’t pretty. Manatee and Lady Love had some issues too.
This is a beautiful yacht club. It was est. in 1860. They have a huge wood boat bar…real classy place.
Everyone jumped right in to working on their boats to prepare for the removal of the masts. I called for a 10min. break around 6pm. Everyone came on board and had cold non-a drinks and a snack. We did keep it to just a little over 10min! Then back to work. This is when it’s really great to be traveling with a group. We helped each other when more muscle and hands were needed. Just before 8pm, Steve’s batteries for his drill ran out of power, at the same time he did! He just needs to finish putting together the bow mast support and then the fender board. Tomorrow morning he’ll disconnect the wires in the mast – no more TV! We heated the left over pizza and calzone for dinner, took showers, met the group at the BYC boat bar for a drink and then called it a night.
Out 5 hours, 3 min. top speed 9.18 average speed 6.87 trip 33nm total 229nm
As of August 3 2007 we traveled 229 nm, used 26.3 engine hours, sailed 11 hours 50 min and had a total time on water 38 hours 43 min. We have crossed Lake Erie and are ready for the next phase the Black Rock and Erie Canals.
More stories of the trip.
Drifting Toward Niagra Falls From the eyes of Blossom Read the other side of the story End of Week 4 The Mast is Up Again The Erie Canal from Blossom Week Six New York City Sandy's Report from New Jersey |
