In the salt and waiting the turn of the tide at Lat. 47° 25’ 00.0”N ~ Long. 070° 24’ 16”W. The wind is strong for the southwest wrapping itself around the island against the current of 3.8 knots to try and sail the CAP’N LEM against the anchor line. It gives the illusion of great speed through the water without actually going anywhere. A lovely little cutter is anchored near using the same tactic to go who knows where.
Later the tide will change once again in our favor and we’ll get underway, sailing for the next waiting anchorage. The distance given by the tide more than makes up for the time spent waiting. I fancy the CAP’N LEM sailing the gravitational pull of the moon much the way the lunar space craft’s used it to traverse great distance. When I anchor, I hold the ground gained and thus progress is made.
I read about this tactic for getting through the Saint Lawrence Bay in a fun little book call The Boat That Wouldn’t Float, by Farley Mowat many years ago when I was in the dreaming stage of my adventure life. Sailors love books and remember useful little things while forgetting important big things like anniversaries and birthdays.
The water is colder and still relatively shallow. Its color is a milky brown from the tide churning up the silt of long gone glaciers. It will deepen later farther east. The hills have risen to become mountains. A new chapter in my journey has arrived. 
Congratulations on sailing into saltwater! Not much longer until you make that big left turn. Thanks for the map pinpoint. Joe and I are talking about your adventure every day, and we’re very happy to see some one of our age out there living the dream. You are truly an inspiration for people to get off the sofa and out the door!
We had a great race down the Yukon, coming in eighth overall and second in our class. Not too bad for a couple of old farts. We sure as hell beat a lot of youngins.
Best wishes as you continue North, and we wish you good health and fair winds.
Barb
Hi Grampa Tommy!
Long time no see! Gramma Debbie showed me this website, and I am just amazed. The route looks long and hard, but dont worry God will take care of you! You are definitely in my prayers. I hope all is well.
Hi Tommy, Dustin got your gift and was so grateful. The wedding was so beautiful yesterday. Dustin has definitely found her. They are already talking about a baby. Take care of yourself and God bless.
Love, Debbie & Andrea
And so I end another day here, watching the Pacific sunset and climbing aboard the Cap’n Lem briefly with you. Boatless, save for two kayaks in the garage, I’ll continue to be inspired.
Fair winds
Jim
Go Tommy! We are watching for your posts every day. I read where the artic ice had an early melt on the west side, hopefully the east side melts by the time you arrive. It is a long way across that great land up north. Barb and I drove 5100 miles just to get to our race and back again but it was worth all the sitting time. We have pictures posted on the race at our website. Take a look http://www.teambumbazer.com , they are under Yukon River Quest 2009.
Take care, Joe
Thanks for the link, to the map of your location, Tommy! Now I know where you are, with the mouth of the big river opening up to send you on and the ocean ready to greet you. Your blogs are an inspiration, and wonderful to read. Happy days.
Farley Mowat’s “The Boat That Wouldn’t Float” … I know that book. Years and years ago. Started reading Mowat in my teens because he was one of my Grandfather Baillargeon’s (good French-Canadian name, no?) favorite authors.
Finally back to your native salt, Tommy. Ridin’ a tad higher on the waterline no doubt! Hasn’t felt like much of a Summer here on Lac Superior … evening lows in the mid-40s, blowin’ like snot out of the North-West, rain … the only good thing about it so far has been no bugs!
Is the journey so far what you had anticipated? More so? Less so? Different challenges than you had imagined?
— Bill
Houghton, Keweenaw