30 June, 2021. First kinda night time travel

 

20 SM; 3.1 hours

Real early go this morning.  Up again at 0430 to beat the winds and thunderstorms.  We wanted to get to Presque Isle State Park anchorage inside Erie, PA harbor.  Winds this afternoon forecast to crank up and increasing risk of strong thunderstorms with cold front passage later.  Cup of coffee, weather check—near our go/no/go criteria but we felt confident we could hug the coast and with SW winds for the next three hours travel in the lee of land.  All set, we fired up and cast off the lines at 0515.  Sunrise at 0547.  Cloudy, lightening south but a good distance away and tracking away, winds SW at 8 mph.

Underway exiting the sheltered harbor before turning west

Sunrise behind us—red sky in the morning.

Tracking west toward our destination, we ran about 1/2-1 mile offshore, swells 1-2 feet but wind chop negligible.  Swells remain from last night’s prevailing westerlies.  Not uncomfortable, but winds forecast to shift from the west which would aggravate the swell and wind chop.  So, early morning go to beat the wind and afternoon storms.  Winds shifted a bit early but the last hour (seven miles) of travel we were coming more into the lee of Presque Isle which juts out into Lake Erie so not a bad ride.  Entering into the large and well protected harbor, several no wake zones strictly enforced.  Another 30 minutes and we were secured along side the fuel dock at the state park marina.  35 gallons of diesel topped off the tanks and we repositioned to the anchorage.  (Map) All secure at 0930. 

After nap and brunch we waited out some weather then launched Kaos the dinghy to head ashore at the state park.  We hiked about three miles; went to the beach on NW side, then visited the  Historic light house.  Skies darken again so we rode Kaos back to Serenity.  This is a very nice anchorage.  Lots of water foul; eagle observed fishing and friendly mallard ducks looking for hand outs.  Anchorage video

Lake Erie looking NW

Historic Presque Isle light house

Unsettled weather remains for a few more days.  Looking at tomorrow’s travel plans probably a short day due to winds and waves.  Tomorrow morning weather check will determine.

4624 SM journeyed; 1836.0 hours hobbs