Canada - New Crew

Detroit from Windsor 

July 18,19
Windsor continued….

The morning breaks sunny and warm, actually hot.  Jim, Jan and I pack some water and head to downtown Windsor to see the sights.  City bus with air conditioning.  I can't believe we are so thankful for air after having spent soooo many days bundled up.  Everyone sitting within 4 or 5 seats welcomes us to town and gives us tips on where to go and what to see.  We get off a couple blocks from Caesar’s Palace (casino) and the waterfront.  The city is nearly void of pedestrians, much to our surprise for a Saturday… Many of the people we do see however are sporting  ‘The Color Run’  tee shirts and their bodies are nearly covered in colored powder dye… from the 15K race.  It is a fund raiser for … ?  what do you call it…. hmmmm …. oh yeah, Alzheimers.  The race course traverses the river front.  Along the route the participants are pelted with ‘color’ head to toe.

The Finish Line 

It looks so fun but…. it’s pretty humid and can't be altogether comfortable… but what a great cause. 

We continue our journey about town…  Caesars Place, etc.  Kind of funny… Jan is asked how old he is by security at Caesars Place… not asking to SEE his ID though.  He says, 28.  ‘Ok.  enjoy your day.’   (He is legal by the way… )

We lunch at a a fantastic middle eastern restaurant.  Fresh and tasty.  Back to the boat, we ready the dingy and head to Peechy Island across the river channel.   It is a park for day visitors only.  We walk around a bit.  See remnants of a what was a summer home for the 'Walker’ family years ago.  They made / make whiskey. Today, there is little left of the once private estate.  Some foundations, a street light post and a once lovely ornate bridge.  Visitors today, enjoy picnic areas, a steam where wading and relaxing are common.  

color me happy ...

Back to the main land,  we shower off and have dinner.  Brian (Afeica) pops over for a chat just as a power boat losses it’s engine and crashes into a boat behind us… then another!  They manage to make their way to a nearby slip, smoke pouring from the engine compartment…  Ironically, the boat’s name is … No Problem… we see no flames and the owners continue there ‘festivities’ while the boat cools off … (They are still at the slip the next day)  

Pelee Island :  19

under the Ambassador Bridge 

The next morning we head to Peele Island.  Our last Canadian stop.  The current gives us an extra push down river.  Windsor to the port side, Detroit to the starboard.  Sunny and warm.  We cross under the Ambassador Bridge and over the Tunnel… Up ahead we can see and smell the American Iron works complex.  It is huge, going on for miles.  Iron ore piles, coal and scrap metal line the river banks with countless facilities for processing all this stuff.  Freighters loading, off loading or waiting at anchor are common sites.  This eventually gives way to greenery and housing along the river.  A couple hours and we are in Lake Erie.  The shallowest of the the 5 Great Lakes.  There is a favorable breeze and we set the sails.  It turns out the be the BEST sail of the entire trip (so far).  Winds on the beam (side), steady at 12 knots.  Jim sets the course and the entire day we sail.  We spot lots more trash and oddly enough a “gold” fish… about 6 inches long…Sadly, it is belly up… We enjoy the temps in summer wear and even ride the bow with waves lapping our feet.  Having Jan aboard affords extra eyes and hands,  Jim gets a break from navigation duties.  

Not far off from our destination, the waters turn limey green with allege… Thick enough to roll like carpet in our wake.  If memory serves me right, last year, good portion of the lake was covered with algae  preventing water usage for drinking, etc.   

refineries etc...

Peele Island Harbor

Secure to the dock on Peele Island.  Following the advice of the locals here as well as the guide books, we opt out of showering / water here.  The water has a faint yet distinct sulfur smell that lingers on the skin for quite a spell (so they say), although we could barely detect any smell. The toilets are stained yellow gold from the mineral deposit in the water.  We take a quick walk but rain threatens to soak us so we retreat to the boat.  There is little to do on the Island.  Example, Jim asked the young attendant… “so, we are only here for the night...  What should we see or do?”   Response… “well, …. I guess you could walk to the bakery,  or get an ice cream cone.”  Oookaaay.   Dinner on board, corn on the cob and chicken with ‘Nicki’s Marinade’.  Very tasty.   Walking down the dock, I spy another gold fish!  Alive and about 8 inches long ….hmmm.  We are visited by a neighboring boater and musician, James.  He has been playing for an hour or so in his cockpit.   He single hands his boat, following in the footsteps of his 80+ year old father, who is currently headed to the North Channel, alone.   He shares some stories of his life as a musician / song writer and a sailor.  

Sleeping is fantastic with an breeze funneling into the boat from open hatches.  

I don't care for the neighbors... we're leaving !

Algae 

Put-in-bay … sort of… July 20 , 21 …

The next morning,  while shaking off the remnants of sleep, I notice something in the water near the boat adjacent to us.  Getting the binoculars… Frick!  Snakes!  2 huge snakes are on the neighbors swim platform.  Another, head popping up and down in the water, it climbs up and around an outboard motor.  Then Jim reminds me of a ‘Dirty Jobs’  episode… The snakes of Lake Erie.  Put-in-Bay… OMG… we are headed there next!  

We again run into (through) the green algae en route to Put-in-Bay 

Customs ... 

…

Thick. Scummy.  We catch a mooring ball and call for the free water taxi.  We have to clear U.S. customs before playing tourist.  Passports in hand, we hop aboard the water taxi and disembark at the ‘Boardwalk’ where we walk the short distance to the call in box for customs.  The downtown has a carnival atmosphere.  Golf cart and bike rentals.  Bars and restaurants and tons of do-dad shops to purchase your souvenirs.  It’s sunny and warm.  We are ready for showers and a night on the town when things come to screeching halt.  U.S. immigration requests a face to face with Jan… the nearest location… Cedar Point. Really?   The conversation goes something like this…. “Is there someone / way that Customs can come here?  we have just travel nearly 20 miles?  No you have to come with your boat.  No, you can’t take the fast ferry.  No, there are no other options.  Yes, you have to come today… now…”   WTF…. (sorry).  With no other viable options, we return to the boat, release the mooring ball and make our way OUT of the harbor.  13 miles to go, a few islands to negotiate  and some ferries to dodge.   We are able to sail at a good clip and at least it is an enjoyable ride sliding through the waves via wind power with the sun on our faces.

Cedar Point 

We were instructed to go to the fuel dock at Cedar Point, the very large amusement park and call in from there.  … “No you can’t check out the park while you wait. Tell the marina you MUST stay put at the fuel dock….”

OK.  Just shy of an hour later the customs agents arrive.  Full uniform.  Very official.  Very polite.  A quick introduction and they decide Jan gets to see the sites from the the back of their car.  Although Jan has all the necessary paper work, he needs a stamp IN his passport and they want his fingerprints.  Lucky Jan,  he gets to make more new friends.  Welcome to America!    

atop the Admiral Perry Monument 

It is now going on 6 pm.  It’s been a long day.  waiting for Jan, we assess our options.  …Take a slip at Cedar Point for the special non holiday rate of $95.00 per night plus another $30 each (4 - 10 pm rates) to go in the park if desired… or head back to Put-in-Bay…. 

As promised, Jan is returned within the hour and we are back on the water hoping to make Put-in-Bay by dark.  The monument to Admiral Perry towers over Put-in-Bay at 352 feet, it is easily seen in the distance.  Dinner under sail, veggie burgers and curried couscous.   Catch the mooring ball, get a much needed shower on shore and a drink at Hooligans.

The morning dawns with a slight cloud cover.  We eat and pack a bag for shore.  The Monument to Admiral Perry first up.  Admiral Perry, 28 yo, defeated the British in a one day battle here at Put-in-Bay in 1813 (War of 1812) enabling the U.S. to control Lake Erie enabling them to control the midwest via the Great Lakes.  Of those who fought 4 of 5 died!  some as young as 10…   The monument commemorates this battle and the men (boys) who fought here.  The view from the top is stunning. 

We continue on to the Fisheries station were the Dirty Jobs episode was filmed.  The ‘Snake Lady” isn't around today and fortunately for me, neither are the snakes!  They have recently been removed from the endangered list… I guest that’s good …. We opt out of the ‘cave tours’… having seen these before in other locals.  We circle back to town and retreat to the boat for afternoon siestas.  

Our last evening in town, we head back to take in some night life.  For all the hoopla, this is a pretty sleepy place mid week.  We almost didn't come due to warning about the party atmosphere and hordes of people.  The streets are pretty empty for the second night on a row.  ???  We have a beverage at the Mojita Bay Bar then off to the local (only) brewery.  We decide on drinks and Jan is asked to show Id… Which has happened a few times., no problem.    The young lady behind the bar says… ‘ I can only serve US citizens ….’   Blinking!   We say WHAT?  She says, ‘state law.  I can only serve people from the U.S.…’  She says this with a straight face.  There are around 6 others at the bar and all are looking at us like   ????  Really… Yeah.  Really.  (we are one short hop from Canada… They don't serve foreigners ? .. )  So, we pick up and head out.  ??? State Law?  hmmmm.  We end up at The Upper Deck on the Boardwalk.    “Rita’  the bar tender knows what business she‘s in.  We get drinks and no ‘state law’ crap. (sorry).    She makes me a Brandy Alexander … OMG   It is soooo good.  I will not think about the calories …. google this and then go find someone to make you one!   

The Upper Deck (adult beverage establishment) has a lovely tradition.  At sundown they lower their HUGE flag to the music of a patriotic song, over a lout speaker…. Tonight, ‘America the Beautiful.’  Jan has his beverage without any fuss.  Back aboard, we plot a course for Cleveland…  We hear  Cleveland Rocks… let’s hope so.

BTW … Happy FIRST birthday to grandson Keegan… we miss you!  Is was good to hear you giggle / squeal…  

Dirty Jobs episode : Lake Erie Snakes... filmed here 

The Mojito Bar, swing up bar 

Golf cart transportation