Weathered in blues

The anatomy of a wave: The highest point
of a wave is called the crest. Wave height
 is the vertical distance between the crest and
 trough. Wavelength is the horizontal distance
between waves in a series. Wavelength is
is measured between two wave crests.

After being beat up by the seas for the last couple of days, Steve and I decided a day of rest was well deserved (especially since tomorrows forecast is for more of the same). The wave length of the waves on Lake Erie , the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair River are so short it really makes for an uncomfortable ride even though the wave height is 3 to 5 ft. This video Steve recorded really doesn't do the day justice.
It's like when you are driving down the road and come up to a series of hills, if they are close together you have to slow down, if they are spread apart, then you don't feel them as much.  Another difference is that the waves are coming from behind us, so the boat is trying to yaw (swing sideways) as the wave pushes the back of the boat right or left.  We thought once we got on the St. Clair River it would be better, but the wind coming from the south pushing on the current (which is southbound) caused for some steep waves again.  Enough whining about the weather.

Lesson Plan safely tucked into her "well"

We called up the Port Huron Yacht Club (PHYC) to see if they had a slip for us, there are not really many anchorage opportunities on this stretch.
Joe, the harbor master, said they are filling up fast due to the weather, but I think we will have one for you when you get here.
We are an hour away (about 6 miles).  Due to the current, we would sometimes drop down to 5.5 MPH. We would get all excited when we got back up to 6, that's what we needed to make it to PHYC in an hour.  Can you imagine, you have to put on the brake to make your car go 6 MPH, we are running at near full throttle and feel elated to get 6 MPH out of her.  The current is  running strong in this part of the St Clair River.

Just as we got to the mouth of the Black River, Joe calls and said they had one slot left, right in front of the club.  It's a tight well, but I think you can get in it. You can handle your boat pretty good can't you?
If the wind isn't blowing like crazy I can. (and I thought what the hell is a "well", turns out it is a slip with no finger piers)
The wind is blowing pretty good so I'll be out there to help you.
(I thought and since this spot is right in front of the clubhouse there will be a half dozen there to watch.)

Yacht Clubs and WWII

Steve was at the helm and made the turn to start down the Black River toward the "well".  He heard my end of the conversation and quickly turned over the helm.  The wind is blowing straight up the river so I knew when I made the turn into the "well" it would be trying to blow me sideways.  I think I broke out in a sweat before I even got to the slip.  I turned into the slip while still heading upwind (and of course the river current is running the same direction as the wind). I think I knew it wouldn't work, but I tried it anyway.  It didn't work.  I backed up river a bit and started back toward my assigned spot. The wind was blowing so hard, I had to head straight toward the piling on the port (left) side and pace her speed to allow the rub rail to stay just a few inches off the piling and then through her in reverse before hitting the wall. I think I left a lot of on lookers disappointed with a near flawless execution on the second attempt. I know they were watching from inside the club, because when I got in there to register a couple of them said "nice job".  I am glad I wasn't the topic of conversation for long.

We took some time to explore Port Huron.  We found out that Port Huron has some ties to Put In Bay. The victory of Cmd Oliver Hazard Perry in the War of 1812 allowed the United States to established Fort Gratiot on the southern point of Lake Huron.  A trading post was established around the Fort and in 1857, Port Huron was incorporated. Its population grew rapidly after the 1850s due a high rate of immigration attracted by the successful shipbuilding and lumber trade.

Wedding festivities at PHYC on Saturday.

On Saturday we were treated to a wedding at the front of the boat.  The harbor master came down to the boat during the ceremony and invited us to be wedding crashers.  There are plenty of ribs in there, come on up and get some.  Despite him being in a t-shirt and shorts, I didn't think we had the proper attire to look like we invited guest, so I politely declined.

On Sunday we proceed on to Lake Huron.  I can see a blog coming, Lesson Plan takes on Lake Huron.  Sometimes these things just write themselves, hopefully Lake Huron will be like that.

Lesson Learned:  I can maneuver Lesson Plan into a "well" in some pretty strong winds (well at least I did one time).  It is a series of skill building exercises.

"Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world." Scott Cameron

Check out the map for more pictures (click on the way point and then the link).

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