10 days. That’s how long it took to get the Windleblo ready this year. Rather than list all the spring commissioning tasks “for the record” as in past years, this season will be by exception. The big exception is that … Continue reading →
Final days are here once again in the transition from the land-based life. Ranch work punchlists are being knocked off, boat bags are being filled, crew plans are being finalized. Here’s the crew lineup for the season: Spring commissioning – … Continue reading →
Happy New (Cruising) Year! Here’s the (tentative) Windleblo Cruising Plan for 2018. Leg 1: Harrison Charter Township, MI, to Little Current, ON; June 10 – 30 (250 nm) June 10 Air travel Denver to Detroit June 11 – 18 Spring commissioning, … Continue reading →
Motoring upriver past downtown Detroit, a flood of emotion washed over me as I reflected on another superlative season. First and foremost, I felt gratitude – to Jocelyn, to John, to Jesse and Jon, Ron and Phil, and John Renna … Continue reading →
After a good sleep, we shoved off heading south and west. Our earlier homage to King Neptune paid off as a huge high pressure dome settled in over the western Great Lakes. The upshot for us – favorable winds, both … Continue reading →
How to get ships around Niagara Falls? That was the question that vexed Great Lakes admirals and industrialists since the early days of westward expansion across North America. “Build a canal,” came the answer. Construction of the first Welland Canal … Continue reading →
History is all around at Sackets Harbor, our first stop on the shores of Lake Ontario. Not long after anchoring, we came ashore to stretch our legs. Within a few paces, we encountered two attractions – the Sackets Harbor Brewing … Continue reading →
720. That’s the number of nautical miles we logged along the St. Lawrence River from Gaspe to Lake Ontario. Trusty as ever, Windleblo climbed and clawed her way upstream and upwind, finally reaching the Thousand Islands on August 16th. Many … Continue reading →
We are at the mouth of Lake Ontario in the Thousands Islands. I push the altitude button on my Casio Pathfinder wristwatch. 150 meters comes the readout. How did Windleblo climb so high? The St. Lawrence Seaway! Since 1535, … Continue reading →
Ten days into a 12-day stay in this remarkable town, I ask Jocelyn what three things impress her most about Montreal. “The Phi Center, biking, and all the parks,” she replies. “Add to that, the Francophile atmosphere,” I say. Our … Continue reading →