My trip up to Isle Royale with my two girls (ages 6 and 7) went very well. We spent 13 days around the island. Even so, when we had to come back a day early because of predicted high winds and waves (7-10 foot...) the girls were disappointed. They wanted to stay for another day of sailing... The drive up was uneventful except that I forgot to close the cabin hatch...and yes, it rained...At least the cabin cushions were not too wet. We put in at Grand Portage and then motorsailed over to the island. We stayed at Beaver Island (where Gordon and Bones stayed). The next day we went to Hay Bay -- long day but nice weather. We had intended to stay at Hay Bay for another day but the weather predicted 15-20 kts of wind from the west and we were headed East. So we took off and had a great downhill sleigh ride. We stayed at Chippewa for three days because of the beauty of that bay and because of rain. While at Chippewa we saw a wolf while out hiking. As I came over a slight rise, I saw a wolf and thought to myself "there's a wolf." Then I thought "THERE IS A WOLF!" Remembering what the helpful park ranger said to do, we made yelled, clapped our hands and turned around to go the other way. The wolf, unfortunately, was not present with us when we spoke with the park ranger so he did not know that he was supposed to be startled and go the other way. Instead he decided to follow us...Keep in mind that I have two very small girls with me and we are a good way away from camp. This nice young wolf followed us for about 100-150 yards. He never made any hostile or aggressive movements but he came to within 40 or so feet of us. Unsetteling to say the least, but still a cool experience (reflecting on the encounter from the comfort of my living room...). The next passage was up to Caribou Island in 15-25 kts of wind on the nose. It was really gusty so it was difficult to get the right sail combination to maintain enough power to go through the 3-4 foot waves without being over powered. After several hours of slogging through the headseas we ended up motoring in. The wind was just too gusty and the girls were getting cold.
From Caribou Island we made our way up to Porter Island and then out to Passage Island which is about 5 miles off the northern tip of Isle Royale. There we saw two bald eagles tending their nest -- way cool!
From Passage Island it was off to Five Finger Bay, Amydaloid Island, McCargo Cove and then back to Windigo. We had some fantastic saililng, frustrating motoring (I taught my girls to hate motoring ), and too much rain. I lost my main halyard up the mast one day -- stupid! Had some hairy moments standing on the boom using my boat hook trying to reach the halyard which was swaying too and fro due to the 2-3 foot waves...The haylard refused to be retrieved and simply kept going up the mast until it was all the way up to the top. When we got to Windigo I lowered the mast and got the recalcitrent (sp?) halyard back. I am thinking of putting a messanger line on the halyard because I know that this will happen to me again.
As I mentioned in my previous post the trip taught me again what a great boat the M-15 is but that I will need a bigger boat for my growing crew. Next year I am thinking of heading off to the northern shore of Lake Superior past Thunder Bay. This is supposed to be great wilderness cruising. John M-15 Jester