Slow Hand 2023 To Lake Superior and back

[O C Diver]

Originally Posted by drillguy

I am ashamed to admit that I haven’t visited here in a long time, I had to request my password from the site as I couldn’t remember it, but I wanted to check back in because I saw a boat this morning that I immediately recognized the name of from back when I was a daily visitor here. A quick search showed me your thread of your adventure. We did Lake superior’s south shore and Isle Royale two years ago. Looks as though you had and are having a great time. Thanks for refreshing the memories and safe travels!

Hi Mark,
Thought I was going to hangout in Tonawanda for a couple of days incognito. Much appreciate the picture and sorry I wasn't here to say hi. It's my third trip to Isle Royale, and gets better each time I go. Hard not to have a great time in Superior.

Like the shirt says:


Safe Travels!

Ted

[Old Sea Dog]

Never gets old.

[David Rive]

Long time no see... too long. I am so glad to see you are still cruising Slow Hand. Lots of changes in my life. Will spend the winter in FL (Jan in the keys, Feb up and down the Gulf coast) Would love to connect when we are in Ft Myers. We will be RVing, but I am seriously thinking about getting another American Tug. Really miss Loons Nest. Keep well old friend, and fair winds.

David Rive

[Bigsfish]

Hi David. Great to hear from you and getting another boat. Congrats.

[O C Diver]

Originally Posted by David Rive

Long time no see... too long. I am so glad to see you are still cruising Slow Hand. Lots of changes in my life. Will spend the winter in FL (Jan in the keys, Feb up and down the Gulf coast) Would love to connect when we are in Ft Myers. We will be RVing, but I am seriously thinking about getting another American Tug. Really miss Loons Nest. Keep well old friend, and fair winds.

David Rive

David, it's been a long time (4+ years?).

Will be hanging out in Fort Myers for the winter. It would be good to catch up. PM me in January so that we can make a plan.

Ted

[O C Diver]

Going back to August on Lake Erie, the one other stop I wanted to mention was Erie, PA , specifically Presque Isle. Traveling East to West down the Southern shore of Lake Erie, there are almost no natural harbors of refuge. Presque Isle stands in sharp contrast and is a great stop when traveling in either direction. Presque Isle is a state park with walking and bicycle trails, beaches, ponds and waterways to kayak or dinghy ride on, and one of the most protected spots to wait out bad weather.

This is the park in relationship to Erie, PA.


The entrance faces NE (to the right in the picture).


The blue dot is where I'm anchored. There is also a municipal marina there, should you prefer. They're very accommodating should you want to anchor out but need a pumpout or fill your water tanks. NW in the anchorage is where the channel starts if you want to dinghy ride or kayak. The satellite pictures were taken during the winter / spring. During the summer the entire park is green with much of the smaller ponds covered in lily pads with an amazing amount of flowers.


This picture gives you some idea of the bicycle and walking paths.


I went in on the 29th and waited through 30 knot winds on the 30th. Unfortunately there was intermittent rain on the 30th which kept me boat bound. I should have stayed an extra day to play, but getting off lake Erie seemed a higher priority, bad choice.

Ted

[O C Diver]

After spending a couple of nights in Presque Isle, I moved to Dunkirk and tied to their free pier. It was Ok for the night, but you need big fenders as the pier is large sheet pile.

The next day I made Buffalo, and on to Tonawanda.

This picture shows coming off the lake and passing through the series of breakwaters to enter the Black Rock canal at the very top of the page.


The canal protects you from the Niagara River which will drop you 8 to 10' in a couple of miles with currents exceeding 10 knots.


The canal separates Unity Island from the mainland with the canal ending at the lock.


This is Black Rock Lock. Say that 3 times fast on the VHF.


Once below the lock, the Niagara River becomes wider, deeper, and maybe a 2 knot current. It's about 3 miles past the lock to Tonawanda Island and harbor with minimal current and the beginning of the Erie Canal.

Ted