Uncle Al (W3854)

Hi, Gang:

I have completed the first two pages of TOM coverage on one of my Wayfarer web sites - click here. Hope to add several more pages before I leave tomorrow for this weekend's regatta in North Bay. Special thanks to Jack and Joan for all their help throughout the adventure!!

Uncle Al (W3854)

Day 4 - Shiver me timbers a stow away

Photo: Bob Bradford

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Lynn (Project Lakewell Director) had to get off Gabby in Leland for family commitments, her son and I share the same birthday it's a mystery but this stuff happens. You mean it's not all about me?
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In a vail of fog we found a young lad huddled under sail and dry bag, shivering and whining like a lost pup. Where ever did he come from?
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The crew of Gabby moved in, "Step Closer Lad" - a little closer, don't be frightened, the giant of a man that stands before you is just "Toby", but every high seas voyage needs one."
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The lad inched his way forward frightened; we pondered a bit, Yes! We needed a cabin boy for the last leg of our journey."Cabin Boy, welcome aboard! Hey don't pet the Toby."
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When the fog lifted a bit, the sun cast silver beams of light, we recognized our new cabin boy to be non-other than Mark ManitouCruiser, Race Director!!
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Photo: Bob Bradford

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The cool dampness of the Dragon's Breath made for interesting photo opportunities; out of the mist light houses appeared. Almost felt as if we were off the Isle of Scot. To be continued

Day 3 - Ship of Fools

The weather was dicey most of the day, we were blown off the water at one point with dropping clouds lightening and torrential rain; No worries though, today was the day of the fool - it was my birthday.
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The day is a bit of a blur with all the rain; but we did make time to play in the mud, the crossing of Platte Bay, the fluttering green flag that looked like a signal mirror 2 miles out, the ominous Doppler ball that haunted me for 12 hours and that greeting we all dread coming off the water - when the ranger says, "Welcome, (not) you can't stay here"
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Fortunately our intrepid land crew has found the Platte River Campground with all the amenities; we even scored a group site that reminded me of a theater in the round with platforms to pitch tents and an awesome fire pit.
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But the highlight for me was the crew found the time to get a birthday cake, card and presents! The topper was a great bottle of wine, Label reading "Ship of Fools" - too funny...
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to be continued...

CWA Whiffle Website

"Now that's some good H2o"

Gary Hirsch, Uncle Al and W1321 Wayferers

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In an unseasonably cool week in northern Michigan, gentleman adventurers, Gary Hirsch and Uncle Al, got the perfect variety of weather conditions June 18 through 24 that enabled them to show off the magnificent capabilities of Gary's Wayfarer Solje as they completed the nearly 300 miles (green course outlined below) of the 2011 Tip of the Mitt Adventure. more...

Now a word from our Captain

Captain Mike

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A "Tip of the Hat", to the crew on day 2.
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The day begins early with a light breeze from the North as calm seas are an encouraging sign for team Project Lakewell as we board the Voyager Canoe paddles at the ready. Two Bay crossing to navigate 10 to 12 miles across. Little Traverse Bay and Grand Traverse Bay, mighty as they are we set coarse, take a bearing heading and cast off into the clear blue water.
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The crew following the pace set by marathon racer Bob Bradford. Fresh from a good nights rest we stroke with cadence and confidence. Of course the occasional clanging of paddles is heard as we sharpen our skills working desperately to keep pace with Bob, the Bobber Bradford.
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Where their is wind the waves will soon follow as we enjoy 1' to 2' foot seas. Gabby thru the coarse of the day eventually gathers speed. The wind at our back we reach over 7 mph. Waves now building and surging rising to 3 and 4 footers. The crew paddling with all their might and determination continues a southern heading.
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My wingman/sailor Brian urgently dons his leather gloves as the spinnaker is full blown and demands his utmost attention. If the Captain looses control at the helm Brian will quickly dowse the sail to save the 26' Voyager Canoe from floundering in heavy seas. We broach the waves a couple times and on command this stellar crew brakes to the right to bring her under control. We mount a charge into a four foot trough creating the sensation of a submarine about to ascend into the depths. Gabby holds her own and pops up like a cork, the bow spewing water and creating its own waves as we continue our blistering pace and white knuckle ride. The crews enthusiasm and laughter is followed by a roller coaster ride never to be forgotten.
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To the onlooker we would appear to be some sort of weird looking over sized surfboard gathering speed roaring over the surf and crashing thru the waves with such eloquence even the best surfer would be jealous.
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A hard earned 46 mile day behind us we set in the confines and safety of the State Park on the Lelauna Peninsula. Sharing stories of the days adventures, adrenaline rushes and good fortune thanks to the well seasoned crew. We listen attentively, the waves battering the shoreline less than one hundred yards from camp. The wind howling hard enough to blow a Rooster into a beer bottle.....life is good!
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Our crew planing tomorrows southern sojourn following the beautiful towering Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes as we paddle/sail and enjoy the beauty of one of the grandest of all great Lakes. Lake MI.
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Captain Mike

And word from our event director

We had a very successful Tip of the Mitt Adventure event this year. On behalf of the Verlen Kruger Memorial Board, I would like to thank everyone that took part and played a roll in it's beautiful unfolding!

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Many took part in full and half adventures out in Lake's Huron and Michigan as well as on the Ausable and Manistee rivers. The routes were tough and grueling at times, yet pleasant and enjoyable and very memorable for all . The routes pass through some of the Great Lakes regions most historical and pristine areas and offers a great challenge to all who seek it.

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Thank you all for your continued support and your unquenchable thirst for the joy that is always hidden within the adventure!

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Supporters of Tip of the Mitt 2011

Joan & Jack Cramer

Emily & Ben Algera

The Verlen Kruger Memorial Board

Team Kruger

Kruger Canoes

Team Project Lakewell

United States Canoe Association

Barton Farms

Superior Canoes

The Przedwojewski Family

The WaterTribe Family

Insta Launch Campground and Marina

The Towns, Marinas and People of; Oscoda, Alpena, Mackinaw, Leland, Mio, Grayling, Mesick and Manistee as well as all the other helpful people that took care of our adventurers along the way.

Fast Signs of Traverse City

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Thank you all, we look forward to working with you again next year for the Tip of the Mitt Adventure 2012! ~ Mark

Day 2 - Bays of no return

Photo by: Bob Bradford

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As we bid good day to the hospitality of our support crew and John at the Nature Center, Darin who is doing the event paddles up after stealth camping just down from Gabby.
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A hoot and a holler, words of encouragement shared; the day called for 2 big bay crossings and with the weather forecast calling for wind and waves the crew was anxious to get underway.
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Darin hung with us momentarily, but once the sails went up we wuz gone.
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Photo by: Bob Bradford

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Things you don't expect out on the water is Bob putting his paddle down; being up in the bow and before things really started to get hairy - Bob snaps of a picture as the seas start to build.
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We were committed, following seas and the far point of the bay in the distance, we are at the point of no return, no going back, laughter and hoots can be heard by the crew of Gabby as we surf /sail our way south.
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A shore break made for some good laughs as it was hard to take care of "housekeeping" with 7 other crew members in such close quarters, we pulled over and everyone scurried to the bush only to find out we had made landfall at a Leelanau State Park with a bunch of people milling around - surprise surprise.

.Photo by: Lynn Johnson

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The hours clicked by, and evening was upon us, winds howling and waves 3 to 4 foot; the decision was made to pull off the water for the night.
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We pulled off at Leland and met our support crew. Harbor master offered us HOT HOT HOT showers, just don't use the ones on the left; it would have been nice if he had mentioned that. :-/
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It was nice to get off the water, but the search for a place to stay in the quaint village of Leland proved futile. A trek back north 21 miles to the Leelanau State Park (wern't we just here for lunch and a potty break, dang!) was our home for the night; big cracks of thunder and crashing waves kept us company this evening.
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It looked like we would be off the water tomorrow with the reports calling for more of the same. To be continued...

Day 1 - Monday - let the journey begin

Photo by: Lynn Johnson

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Incredible amount of energy around the launch of Gabby; all the planning and preparation complete, we push from shore on one of those once in a life time adventures.
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The crew gels quickly, spirits high; Bob sets the pace and the rest of us follow, sorta. Lots of paddles clanking that first day as we sort it all out. A north easterly wind builds, setting us up for a nice sail down the coast.
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Making good time, our first goal was to clear the tour boats and Mackinaw Bridge which went without incident, next up round wilderness point and head south down the coast, destination Manistee.
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We looked desperately for the cut, missed it and had to keep a keen eye as we made our way through a labyrinth of rock gardens to blue water.
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A quick break on the lee of wilderness point and we were cruising again. The time went fast as stories of adventure unfolded; conversations were intimate as the wind on the water made it hard for everyone to hear. I sat for the most part behind Bob, Toby to the side and Michael behind me - good times.
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The Camaraderie, the bonding of the crew - Fabulous week . . . indescribable . . . if you don't have a plethora of paddlers in your list of friends . . . you're missing the boat! - Beverly Williams Wilson

.Beverly and John (our host for the night)

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As we made our way South conditions building, a call went out to our land crew; the search was on for a place to meet up and make camp.
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A diligent support crew is very important to an adventure like this; they scored big as they found us unbelievable accommodations at the Thorne Swift Nature Preserve.
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Don (support crew) worked the magic and turning on the charm finds out that John Riggs manager of Thorne Swift was part of Project Lakewell a few years back and knew Captain Mike and Project Lakewell Director Lynn; we had ourselves a reunion of sorts, not to mention running water and flush toilets. It felt a little like we were on a swank European bike tour with all the good eats and fancy accommodations - to be continued...

More Wingman

From the launching of Gabby, take special note of Wingman's graceful entry into the boat...

Click for video

Rigging and such

Here's a pic of the fore deck and mast partner on Gabby; we flew 3 different sails depending on conditions. A tarp spinnaker which was the bomb; an old school PAS style sail found deep deep in the Wing-man's sail loft and an outstanding main sail, the Balogh Canoe Classic 36.
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Captain's nav table had all the fixings, here's a shot of the set up; SPOT, GPS, RADIO and throw bag. Safety first as we went through procedures for capsize and an man over board.
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The stories flowed in the bow as the "Bobber" told tale of cold water immersion. Nothing like actual stories to educate the crew on survival.