I’m spending one more night in Grand Marais. (Lat. 47 degrees 44.9 minutes N ~ Long 090 degrees 20.3W) The little harbor is one of the prettiest I’ve ever visited. The people are kind and make me feel so welcome. Special thanks to Harley for letting me tie up to his boat dock. It’s the only ice free one in the harbor. Even a gentleman from the radio station came by for a chat, then came back and ask me to do an interview at the station to be aired sometime later. The station was WTIP “Your source for News, Weather, Sports and Local Happenings.” Guess I’m a “local happening” … man, that was great fun! Many of you know how I love to talk about boats and about Capt. Lem.
(May I take a moment to explain something? When I talk about Capt. Lem it is the man. When I say “the Cap’n Lem” it’s the boat. I just don’t want to be confusing.)
I miss Ken and Tiny already. Tiny will be going by to see Captain Bruce. I told him, “Have fun chasing the goats”. Tallship sailing makes for some of the best friends in life. Our friendships are forged in shared hardship, seasickness and lofty dangers such that back on land the mutual respect and kinship endures. It’s much the same with Coast Guard shipmates and Merchant shipmates. Going to sea has been so very good to me all these years.
Today was spent, you guessed it, pulling more wires! Maybe I’m done. Well, now that I think of it, done just for now. I still have the satellite internet up link to install. But today was great because I now have “Betty” hooked up to charge all four of the ships batteries. Who’s Betty? Well, that’s the name I’ve given the Areo4gen windmill generator… in honor of my first love, Betty Page. (Hay, I turned a teenager in the 50’s. Of course my first love was Betty Page. )
Tomorrow I want to start out for Grand Royal Isl. From the looks of it on the chart it will be spectacular. I suspect I’ll still have to deal with ice. But that’s not a bad thing considering where I plan to go.
Grand Marais Sunrise
Hey Captain Tommy! Love the website – thanks SO much for sharing. It gives us “desktop sailors” something to look forward to every day. Good luck to you and the Cap’n Lem. I can’t wait to hear more. Fair winds and following seas…
HI
I want to wish you good luck on your voyage. I am a fellow F 31 owner and live in Marquette MI. If you stop in Marquette I would be glad to assist in any way. Especially if you want an ice report of our harbors. Right now the two marinas are about 90 percent ice free and would be usable. Not sure if there is power at the docks yet but in prior years power was on all winter to run bubblers. Also ther are plenty of private docks open and I am sure I could link you up with a spot at one. My number is 906 228 5583 cell 906 631 7337
I do not see an ice pack in the area so chances are the harbor won’t get packed up with float ice, however you never really know for sure if there is any pack ice just outside of viewing range.
Marquette is not a direct route from Isle Royale to the Soo locks but it is a very long day sail of about 110 NM from Isle Royale. Or two shorter days sails if you break up the trip and stop in Copper Harbor which I have no idea if its iced in or not.
Again good luck and keep posting to the web site
Jim Knape
F 31
Lickety Split
Great photo, Tommy……………..she’s a great looking vessel!
Hello Capn Tommy,
Congrats on making Grand Marais!!! Keep a sharp eye out for the Sleeping Giant. He may be seen napping on the tip of Thunder Cape from the North end of Isle Royale.
I am enjoying some armchair sailing with you. Please keep the blogs coming.
Best,
Bill
Hi Tommy – We were visiting Duluth & found your article in the Two Harbors paper.
It will be fun to follow your trip. Our son lives in Seattle but is “wintering” at the South Pole. His blog freezedriedengineer@wordpress.com.
I just finished reading “Endurance”. It will be fun to follow your blogtoo now.
Have a safe and fabulous trip.
Hi Tommy – it was great to meet you in Grand Marais the other day. I would like to talk more about your piano onboard and other things. Could you please send me your email address?
I’ll be watching your blog for your trip updates. Thanks, Bud
Hello Tommy! It was great and surreal to see your vessel in the GM harbor! I wish I had had the op to meet you as I also am a sailor (1965 Allied Seawind 30 Ketch) of a boat that supposedly was the first Plastic design to circumnavigate?
Though we did not meet I did manage to get a bunch of cool photos of the boat departing on friday! You can see them at http://www.stephanhoglundphotography.com under travel/the States
I can send you a file if you like and hopefully it will be posted on teh WTIP website?
I am wondering if you have a “Spot” locator device on board? If not I could contact the company and see if they can get one to you? By the way you are heading to Isle Royal lol!
Spot http://www.findmespot.com/en/
How It Works:
Once activated, SPOT will acquire its exact coordinates from the GPS network, and send that location along with a distress message to a GEOS International Emergency Response Center every five minutes until cancelled. The Emergency Response Center notifies the appropriate emergency responders based on your location and personal information – which may include local police, highway patrol, the Coast Guard, our country’s embassy or consulate, or other emergency response or search and rescue teams – as well as notifying your emergency contact person(s) about the receipt of a distress signal.
Important Note:
Unlimited Alert 9-1-1 usage is included as part of the low-cost SPOT service plan.
Even if SPOT cannot acquire its location from the GPS network it will still attempt to send a distress signal – without exact location – to the Emergency Response Center, which will still notify your contacts of the signal and continue to monitor the network for further messages.
SPOT is designed for maximum reliability. Spot performs a self-diagnostic test each time it is powered on. Additionally, Spot strongly recommends that you send and verify an OK/Check message each time before use. This allows you to evaluate your entire messaging system, from the operational condition of the messenger to the readiness of those you’ve chosen to notify of your messages.
Power:
SPOT has a separate power button to ensure long battery life and to help avoid sending messages accidentally. To turn SPOT on, press the ON/OFF button. You must then wait an additional 2 seconds before activating any SPOT function. When power is on, the indicator light will blink once every 3 seconds. This is also helpful for making SPOT more visible in the dark. To turn SPOT off, press and hold the ON/OFF button for 3 seconds.
SPOT sends your GPS coordinates to a GEOS Emergency Response Center every 5 minutes, allowing you to keep moving if necessary. Emergency responders are then updated with your last known location.
Because it uses 100% satellite technology, SPOT works virtually anywhere. All it needs is a clear view of the sky.
9-1-1 Emergency Services Powered by GEOS Alliance.
GEOS offers a wide variety of services that encompass security, safety and reliable communications for corporations as well as domestic and international travelers. The GEOS program is delivered through a fusion of state-of-the-art technology with the unparalleled experience of the very best and most respected specialists in the fields of international, personal and corporate protection and communications. To learn more about GEOS and the full range of services offered worldwide, visit http://www.geosalliance.com/sar.
What a cool Tri! at this passage. Good Luck, Capt. Tommy!
Hi Stephan, I’m back in GM. Ice was too much to the east. Ya, I finally figured out it was Isla Royal. I’ll just wait a while and enjoy the town. Come by for a gam anytime. I love talking boats. this is my 6th sailboat. tommy
Yes I do have an EPIRB on board. Wouldn’t think of sailing without it. t.
Nice ! :).. Thanks buddy..
da best. Keep it going! Thank you