LaVida begins Great Lake's Circumnavigation

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Jun 6th, '09, 17:03

LaVida departed Olcott Harbour, Olcott, New York, Lake Ontario @ 0916 yesterday with crew Ed Haley for the first leg of her CDSOA Goodwill Circumnavigation of the Great Lakes.

We are currently transiting the Welland Canal ($200.00) one way into Lake Erie, expecting to call into the Buffalo Yacht Club sometime early on the 7th.

There we will turn West and head for ports along Lake Erie with Erie, Pa our first port call.

If your a CD'er along our route, please contact us by PM and we'd enjoy hosting you onboard.

Rit

John Danicic · Post by **John Danicic** » Jun 6th, '09, 17:41

Mike:

Bon Voyage and fair winds.

We will be keeping a sharp eye out for you and LaVida here on Lake Superior.

Let me know when you are up lake.

Sail on

John Danicic
CD36 - Mariah - #124
Lake Superior - The Apostle Islands
CDSOA # 655

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Jun 6th, '09, 20:06

We are really excited to be heading your way.

All the best and we'll keep you posted.

Sea U soon,
Rit

paul marti · Post by **paul marti** » Jun 7th, '09, 21:17

Hi Mike, I'll be watching your progress, my plan is to take off on the 22nd. I'm sure you will be passing my way before before then. I'm looking forward to seeing you. Have a safe trip. Take care, Paul

Paul D. · Post by **Paul D.** » Jun 7th, '09, 23:29

Looking forward to seeing you here on the Great lake. When you know when you may be in the Apostles, do let us know. Plan to spend at least a week around them as they are a great little cruising ground. If you've got a 35 pound CQR with a bunch of chain, you needn't worry as much about the anchorages as some may lead you to believe.

All the best,
Paul

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Jun 9th, '09, 21:09

Awesome storm last night in Erie.

We will be moving West tomorrow morning.

Rit

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Jun 9th, '09, 21:13

I'll keep posting our where abouts on the site, but detailed info will be on my website.

LaVida does sport an all chain rode with a great CQR and a Delta backup. Thanks for the advice.

Lets plan on having a sundowner when we arrive or maybe threeeeeee!

sea u,
Rit

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Jun 18th, '09, 14:46

My apologizes, limited internet access has hampered our ability to send and receive email or access this site.

After a wonderful trip West on Lake Erie, we've just completed the Detroit River and are now relaxing in St.Clair Shores before proceeding North to Port Huron.

The water is getting clearer and soon it will turn that lovely shade of blue, only Lake Huron has.

Rit

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Jun 23rd, '09, 22:24

We've made several long passages and now find ourselves in the awesome port of Tawas Bay.

Rit

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Jun 26th, '09, 10:56

Knockin on Lake Superior's door.

Awesome stop, the Duncan Bay Boat Club.

sea u,
Rit

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Jul 1st, '09, 08:08

We had an awesome time on Mackinaw Island, eating too much fudge, of course!

A major low decided to pin us in harbour for a few days, so some boat projects can now be accomplished.

For those of you who don't know about this area, its an awesome cruising ground.

Within a days sail one has Lake Michigan, the Door Country, the Straits of Mackinaw, Lake Superior, the North Channel, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

What a cruising hub.

Rit

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Jul 5th, '09, 07:41

With a change in weather patterns, we were able to leave the wonderful Duncan Bay Boat Club and make our way to Detour Passage and up the St. Mary's River to Sault St. Marie and the Soo.

Awesome country!

sea u,
Rit

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Jul 10th, '09, 06:48

After some stiff weather we've managed to claw our way to into Lake Superior proper and its a big piece of water!

After getting our butts kicked on Whitefish Bay, we had to sit our three days of NW winds that were kicking the lake up something nasty.

After sailing of of WFP we ran into fog banks and no wind, but a beautiful fog filtered sunset.

Yesterday's run took us past the Pictured Rocks a sight that has to be seen to be believed.

With a spirited sail from there to here in Marquette we called it a night, tying up at 2230.

Rit

Carl Thunberg · Post by **Carl Thunberg** » Jul 10th, '09, 07:00

Hey Mike,

Keep these reports coming. I've never sailed the Great Lakes, but I'm following your progress using Google Earth. Keep it up! I hope you're meeting lots of interesting people along the way.

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Jul 15th, '09, 13:05

After a very interesting trip along the South shore of Lake Superior we are now in Bayfield, WI our sailing headquarters for the next week before we do the 90 odd nm to Isle Royale.

To date we've logged 1238nm and loving every minute of our inland seas, especially Lake Superior, she is truly the Grand Lady of the Lakes.

Looking forward to hooking up with my assorted Cape Dory buddies around here and the vistas awaiting us on Isle Royale.

sea u,
Rit

The Cape Dory Board

LaVida begins Great Lake's Circumnavigation

LaVida begins Great Lake's Circumnavigation

Thanks John

Hello from Lake Saint Clair

LaVida is in Erie,Pa

Thanks Paul D

Lavida in Lac St. Clair

LaVida in Tawas Bay

LaVida is in Cheyboygan, MI

Weathered in , in the Straits of Mackinaw

LaVida knocking on Lake Superior's door

LaVida in Marquette MI

Keep These Coming!

LaVida in Bayfield, WI