Sunday, September 7, 2008

The Adventure Begins

Dear Friends, “Cookie” here to update everyone on our progress. Sorry it took so long, we have been going almost non-stop since we departed from PIB. TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2. The departure was very memorable. After our bon voyage waffle breakfast at Ken Turvey’s, we were greeted at the Boardwalk by Dave and Lynnette, WestSide Steve and Suzie, Sue and Pinky, Jim from Myassis Dragon, Robin and Matt from North Bass, Marlene and Chas. Marv Booker presented us with a bottle of Opus One autographed with a bon voyage note. He said to enjoy it for a special occasion and I have decided that will be when we put the masts back up. You will understand why this event deserves an Opus One toast after reading the rest of the story! Nick James along with Myassis Dragon and WestSide organized some surprises for our departure. First, Jim presented us with a huge blow-up “H” ball to take wherever we go. He also delivered a to-go bag for Cookie, of white truffle butters, fresh basil, reduction sauce, dragon wings, and home grown tomatoes and peppers. WHAT A TREAT! As we were pulling away from H ball, West Side’s (tribute to Gary) version of Son-of-a-Son-of-a-Sailor was blaring from the new Boardwalk sound system. Next we heard Bob Gatewood’s Friends of the Bay and Gotta Go, while everyone was waving and taking pictures. Myassis Dragon with Chas on board escorted us out of the harbor. Gary was disappointed because we didn’t see Donnie Dunn at the boardwalk as promised.. We certainly didn’t expect he and Lauren to come racing up in his go-fast boat as we were just outside of Gibralter. They jumped on board and we towed the boat behind us for a few miles just beyond Kellys Island. Don had many experiences to share about going through the Erie Canal out to the ocean,. He really got the crew pumped up with anticipation. Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided not to cooperate and we had just a slight breeze on our nose all the way to Erie PA. We motored through the night with the guys on watches. Captain Gary and Tom Kelleher were 9:00 pm to 1:00 am, Watch Commander George Hipp and Tom Carroll were on 1:00 am to 5:00 am, then Gary and Tom were back on. I was granted reprieve since I am the chef and galley wench, but when Gary came into our stateroom to put jeans on at 3:00 am, I couldn’t resist joining them to star gaze. It was AWESOME. Gary and Tom saw three shooting stars. The entire crew agreed that even though we had to motor all the way, it was a wonderful experience. Everyone enjoyed our first dinner of Chipotle Tortilla Crusted Tilapia accompanied by cilantro lime black beans. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 3. Talk about a wonderful experience, Lund Boat Works hit a home run. We pulled into their slip in Erie PA at 1:00 pm Wednesday afternoon. We were warmly greeted by the smiling faces of Dave Green the manager and his crew of Dave and Nino. They inspired confidence from the start, and we needed a big dose of confidence to see the masts come down! It was almost 100 degrees and no breeze (thanks again Mother Nature) for the four hours everyone worked together to get the main down and secured in the cradle that Gary engineered and Tom Kelleher built. Tom Carroll said the magic words “let’s go get a drink” and he and Tom Kelleher and I went next door to RumRunners for a break. Later at quitting time I started slinging cocktails and a great party ensued until dark. The Lund crew and many of their friends and neighbors joined in. I felt like “Brandy” servin whiskey and wine to the sailors!! New friend Mike took Tom Carroll for provisions and a sightseeing ride. The rest of us were entertained mostly by Nino, you will be able to see his personality in the pictures. He is a single sailor who is hoping I can come up with a single friend for him. Since we had snacks and Myassis Dragon wings, I didn’t prepare dinner. Nino offered to pick up anything else we needed or take us anywhere we needed to go. They went above and beyond being hospitable. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4. The crew arrived at 8:00 am to take the Mizzen down and finish up with Nino completely swabbing down topsides sparkly clean. Dave said “we walk on the boat, we clean it up.” My friend Eran lives in Erie, I called her to say hello not expecting to see her with such short notice. She said “I’ll be there in 30 minutes!” so we had a great visit over lunch. After lots of handshakes and hugs, we departed at 3:30 pm and stopped to fill up with diesel before heading non-stop across Lake Erie to our next stop, the Erie Canal. Nino told me we were the nicest group of people they had come through there. I’d like to think he was sincere and not just buttering me up to find him a woman! We truly did have a wonderful experience with them, great people. The BITCH formally known as Mother Nature kicked Tessa’s butt all the way across the Lake Erie. Winds were NE 15-25 knots on our nose. The crew adjusted the straps holding the mast cradle in place numerous times, and Captain Gary ended up using every other available line on board as back up. We all watched uneasily as we crested each wave, hoping not to see anything flex. Once Gary was confident we were secure, our shift went to bed. Wind direction was supposed to change to 15-25 knots SE after midnight. George and Tom said it changed at 9 minutes after. Then all hell broke lose. Gary, Tom and I woke to crazy pitching and rolling, each wave slamming Tessa’s beam causing a big shudder. Winds picked up to 30-40 knots, 4-6 foot waves. I watched from the cockpit as Tom Kelleher became a human pin ball below, bouncing around trying to secure everything as it flew across the cabin. Even though I truly do have the utmost confidence in my Captain and Crew, it was the most frightened I have been in my life. It didn’t seem possible that the tremendous forces of wind and waves would not cause the cradle holding thousands of pounds of masts and booms to eventually give in. Everyone had proper lifesaving gear on. I figured if one life preserver was good, two would be better, right? Since I was the only one really scared, I sensed that I should remove myself from the cockpit and let the crew handle the situation. After a “Nightime Sleep Aid” with a red wine chaser, I was able to fall asleep surrounded by my doubled up life preservers. Thankfully all my fears went unfounded, and Tessa and her crew pulled us through unscathed. FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5. Arrived at the Niagra River at 7:00 am. Crew seemed to be unaffected by the events of the night, everyone was cheerful and upbeat. (I was a little groggy from my sleepy time concoction, but happy to be alive!) We went through the Black Rock Lock (our first ever) successfully when it opened at 8, and the rest of the day was a great adventure. We entered the Erie Canal (waving at Wardel who couldn’t figure how our masts were down) and made it through the Medina Lock right before closing time at 5:00 pm. It was a great little Erie Canal town with everything travelers could need. Tom Kelleher took Gary and I to the local American Legion where we were warmly greeted and offered a free round of Blue Moon beers. They also gave Tom a gift to take back to his legion. Tom Carroll went out for a fish dinner. George was sound asleep in his bunk when we returned to prepare our dinner of Grilled Duck Breast with a blackberry, blueberry Grand Marnier sauce, compliments of Myassis Dragon. SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6. I was advised by George that he NEVER wanted to sleep through a meal again! We departed Medina at 7:30 am. and will travel all day today through as many locks and we can get through until 5:00 pm. Hope this isn’t TMI, but I know you have all been very excited about our big adventure. We are having the time of our lives. The crew gets along beautifully, everyone contributing and working together as a great team. We’ve fallen into a nice pattern where things just seem to get done without much effort or planning. Special THANKS to the ladies who have sacrificed their men for the trip. I’m so fortunate to be surrounded by these great guys. Especially my wonderful Captain!! Love to all!!

2 comments:

Snackwagon said...

Aloha dear friends!
You guys ROCK! (literally, I guess) lol!
The blog is awesome! Ms. Lori...have you considered writing a book and publishing after this? Your writing is superb!
It is so great to hear the play by play of your journey. Sounds like you have an awesome crew too!
Have fun, ENJOY and BE SAFE!
Love ya guys and miss you lots!
Warmest Aloha!
Mel & Glad

Snackwagon said...

Ooops... forgot to mention that this might be the "rehearsal" for the great Pacific Ocean run??
haha!
Love and Aloha again!
Glad & Mel