Gifted with Wind

 

To me, this last stretch from Grand Marais to Munising was the last stretch on the journey home.  This could have been partly due to it potentially being THE most stunning 50 mile stretch of shoreline in all of the Great Lakes.  And naturally a pleasant gift of wind to blow us homeward is always stunningly pleasant on the nerves.  From Whitefish Point to Munising was some of the best sailing of the summer.  The mighty Superior has its perks and we were able to come to terms with it despite our slightly dramatic past.

As one leaves the cozy safe haven of Grand Marais they are immediately confronted by gigantic gentle giants of sand towering over the lake.  The trees appear to be the only reason why these seemingly vulnerable mountains can withstand all the chaos Superior might stir up during the winter seasons.  The more and more we followed this fantastic shoreline, the more and more we came to a conclusion.
        So for the first time [siighhh...and last time] on our summer journey, we set anchor and rowed to shore regardless of how long 50ish miles is to us.  We finally got to take our time.  Like wild animals, we tore up the dunes until we reached the "summit" needing to use all fours on the seriously vertical incline.  I felt as if we were some kind of lion stalking it's prey....I mean, why not let your imagination run free sometimes?  We're about to re-enter to the world of careers and school where pretending you're a lion on a desert plain isn't necessarily encouraged, and I personally like to keep the dreamy 8-year-old alive in me for practical situations like this one. To experience a world without gravity--I would highly recommend taking large (yes moms...and safe) jumps down these dunes.  We were giddy with glee.

We dipped into the icy waters for a fresh swim that suggested the arrival of fall....so we realized our day needed to proceed.

To my hearts delight, we stopped AGAIN later along the way.  Long ago, I backpacked Pictured Rocks and have a few places I cherish.  And another trip to shore we went! [See, this is why I'm marrying Corey!] No worry, no hurry.  There were, in fact, people on this beach area.  I'll admit, our smiles exchanged a mutual-and modest-swelling pride as people stole glances while we rowed up to shore after sailing into this cove.  I mean, it is a particularly "nice" circumstance we've put ourselves into, and it does satisfy a nerve when your accomplishments are noticed!  The orange and red rock formations along the shoreline look like something Mr. Walt Disney himself created for some human amusement. Too perfect and beautiful to truly be a natural phenomena!  Something to keep in mind when one ponders our Creator of this beautiful earth.

We soaked up every last bit of sun and boat life while we could.  Knowing that the last day was the following day.  As a female, my emotions became involved in every conversation.  Luckily on a 27' sailboat, distractions are few and conversations plenty.  It's a life lived I will always cherish.

That night we visited with our friends from Holland that arrived ahead of us.  As the "routine" between us had been on our arrival times the day before and the day before and the day before.... Soup and boat life conversations made for a pleasant last evening of our trip.  A slow and gentle transformation of mentality and preparation for college-town and real life society.

As we rowed back to our boat under the sky full of stars on a quiet night, no words could capture the range of feelings we were experiencing.  The number one was a satisfied accomplishment of such a huge undertaking on two young college graduates with no other commitments than a mutual love for each other and for experiencing the corners of a life unknown by those that allow fear and discomfort to hinder these discoveries.

The number two feeling that quiet night under the starry sky was simply excitement for the next chapter in our life.

Stay tuned my dear friends,
M