Thursday, October 5, 2006

We headed out to Dunkirk, NY yesterday, Oct 5th, and returned back to our harbor in Erie, PA within an hour because of 5 foot choppy seas and wind gusts up to 20 knots on our "nose". Not able to sail or make progress in the short close choppy seas we decided to return to port and wait out the "high weather system" that is producing beautiful sunny cold weather but unfavorable seas for our progress to Dunkirk then Buffalo. The weather looks more hopeful for Saturday with the seas dropping to 1-3 feet. It is frustrating to be so close to the Erie Canal-just 80 miles from our current position. Our trip back to port was fast, with the seas pushing us back to port, it was like riding a surf board with with waves under the boat, it reminded me of our sailing experience on the East Coast when we sailed into Newport Harbor, RI always with "following seas" when the boat would ride high on the waves. We spend Thursday, walking around the town, getting fresh vegtables in the farmers market and doing "house hold chorse" on the boat. Scenes of the day.


A few ducks hiding from the wind in a small garden pond.













Presque Isle Bay with the state park in the distance.













Farmers market with wonderful baskets of Concord grapes, apples, apple cider, maple syrup and all types of hot and sweet peppers.












Chapel at Gannon University which is a few blocks from Presque Isle Bay.