What do ya know...another morning rise to be greeted by frost. Ugh! Though, this time we slept with our clothes so that they wouldn't be frozen and we placed our gear in the cockpit of our boats so that it would be protected. Then, we covered it with our spray skirts and laid grass over top of that. All of the preparation paid off as we got dressed in warmer, non-frosty gear.
After protein bars and water we headed out. When we left we knew that there were going to be SW winds at 10-15 knot and 2 feet waves, but we didn't expect 20 knot gusts and 3 feet waves. The SW winds had enough time to build some choppy waves by the time they reached the mouth of the bay and it made it difficult for us to stay on course as we paddled. Let me tell you...when you are in the middle of a bay where land is a blur and 5 miles away from the front and back of you, and you can't see anything to the right or left...it is a pretty scary feeling. All you can do is keep paddling and hope one of those waves doesn't sneak up on you causing a capsize because people are a long ways away.
By the grace of God we made it over in three hours-exhausted, but safe and healthy. We landed directly on Leelenau State Park to wait for a food package sent by Dana's mom. The campsites are well kept and the rangers are very friendly. We planned on being here for a day and a half, but we made it two and half days because of weather. The view from our campsite exhibited the bay in three shades of blue as the rays of the sun sparkled from the water. Right around the corner was the historic well preserved Traverse Light House.
One of the days that we were stuck our friend Tim Stark came to pick us up for pizza in Northport. The pizza was good and the community was intimate and pretty.
Cheers
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