Lyal Island to Southampton
Lake Huron
Sunday, May 29
Wind and wave heights continued to increase today, making for the roughest day of sailing so far on
Simply Blue's homeward journey. Tacking was required and progress halting.
Simply Blue was being run hard and the two-man crew had their hands full. From the Captain's log:
"Everything is getting pounded. Not sure the boat has ever been sailed like this. Hopefully nothing expensive breaks."
After more than ten rough hours of sailing, Roland and Rudy leave the Bruce Peninsula area behind, and reached the more "civilized" shores of Lake Huron. After arriving at the municipal pier in the town of Southampton, Rudy bids goodbye to Roland, and catches a ride back to Toronto. From here until whatever point I'd meet up with him, Roland was going to have to manage solo.
Southampton to Inverhuron
Lake Huron
Monday, May 30
Trip day number five was Roland's first solo day aboard
Simply Blue. The combination of a south wind and being alone did not lend itself to making much progress, and only 68 kilometres (37 nm) of sailing distance was made (and, due to tacking, only perhaps 30 kilometres of effective distance). The Captain expressed his frustrations in his log:
"Winds are from the S for the 2nd day in a row, leading to lots of unexpected tacking. The prevailing winds are a myth."
Roland chose to anchor in a secluded cove near Inverhuron Provincial Park. The deep, throbbing hum from the nearby Bruce Nuclear generating station made it difficult for him to sleep. Fortunately, it was a beautiful evening on Lake Huron:
"Beautiful stars out. Open lake looks haunting from the anchorage. No horizon."
