I am convinced the Saint Lawrence River is the most consistently beautiful and interesting waterway in the world. Every river and waterway has its moments but this one is spectacular from start to finish. It was clean, blue and replete with wildlife. The homes on its shores were tidy and maintained by people who care. The towns, friendly and clear of litter. They always made me feel welcome.
The CAP’T LEM sailed from Montreal with a southwest wind and following current. Such fine sailing is always too short. When the GPS registered my 2000 nm of the trip I pulled over and anchored in a quiet little inlet to a marsh. In reflecting on the miles traveled, I counted my blessings; the friends whose encouragement made this possible, the good health I’ve vowed to never take for granted, a lifetime spent on and around the water, the very dream of my childhood come true. Then I took a nap. What’s the hurry? The ice is still melting, the wind is still blowing. To hurry past anything this river has to offer would be a shame. To sleep when I’m sleepy and travel when I’m rested is the great gift of freedom. Refreshed, I sail on.
As I make my way down the river. I chose my anchorages carefully for they are my protectors. I will not always have the luxury of so many good ones. The sunset is about me and I see on the chart “abandon lighthouse” in a cove on an island just before entering Loc Saint Pierre. I drift into position on a dying wind and low the anchor. The moon is waxing full and I can see by it the lighthouse is abandon only by man and not by nature. On its top is an osprey nest and the mother brooding her eggs. Such it is at Lat. 46° 05’ 43.6”N ~ Long. 073° 00’ 02.6”W, on the 4th day of July in 2009.
Just catching up with you and your last few legs from the marsh. Had an interesting hike a week ago that reminds me in reverse of your locks journey. Ira Spring Trail to Mason Lake a 3 thousand foot rise till one descends over a ridge and only to make a final approach from below as crossing a water fall the first view of the lake was eye level.
I will give a shout to the gang in Bellevue, when is the ice expected to break?
I see someone was comparing your headway to other sailors on the northern trip and pointing out that you were in last place. Well, who cares? Your latest post says it all.
With the cold up north, no one may make it through the ice this year. And what is the big prize? Your health? Your freedom. No and no and no one can prove otherwise.
I hope you write a memoir of this trip. I was not expecting to enjoy reading your site so much. I was expecting pictures, but your words are what keeps me coming back. Write a book.
I was looking at the Canadian Ice Service website (http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/) – what a wealth of information they have available. Are you going to be sending reports into them while you do your transit?
I like your attitude in the last post – why not slow down and enjoy life during the delays? Things will get busy enough soon enough! This is some good advice for those people who are always in a hurry.
As always, I am enjoying watching you live your dream! Thank you for keeping up the good writing for the armchair voyagers at home. Best of luck to you!
–Chuck
Tommy,
I have been keeping up with you on line. Your description of the land, people and water make me wish I were along as a common deckhand! Much better along the St. Lawrence than here in our arid country! We wish you well and as always our prayers are with you.
Dave and Linda
Ah, those words are truth that it is the journey, not the destination, that matters. Sail on, friend!