| Location: | Post Office Bay, Middle Bass Island, OH, USA |
| 41° 40.836’N 82° 49.128’W | |
| Date: | June 13th, 2020 |
I’m heading north from Sandusky, OH to Lake Huron on Saturday afternoon to be in my first solo challenge. I hoped to get a start on the 100 mile trip through the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers. The start of the race was in Lake Huron just north of the Blue Water Bridge. The weather looks ‘fun’ tomorrow, but I expect the sail to be good and I want to be in Detroit before dark, so taking 2-3 hours off of the trip is a good idea.
I had considered mooring in Put-In-Bay on South Bass because the winds were certainly going to pick up through the evening, but it’s a joyful year of pandemic avoidance and I really love anchoring out on the islands. This is the first time I’ve anchored in Post Office Bay and and the winds while expected to increase were steady and from the right direction. I found the anchorage to be wonderful, not only did I get to enjoy a beautiful sunset but I saw fires and heard singing from the owners on the shore.
There’s a real joy in watching the sunset from the cockpit of your vessel. I really never tire of the peace I find out in these moments. Sometimes the sound of world is all you need. The whistle of the wind. The occasional splash of a jumping bass. I use the time to empty my mind of the worries and pressures of daily life.
From this anchorage, you can view not only Middle Bass, but Rattlesnake and Perry’s Monument on South Bass. Really nothing compares to the setting sun.
I expected winds from the northeast all night long, so even if the wind picks up, it would be a safe anchorage.
And true to that the winds did pick up considerably. Nothing is really more pleasant that waking at 5am to the sound of a dragging anchor and anchor alarm. I anchor out regularly and this was the first time my anchor alarm had actually gone off. But the anchorage was empty except for Ventura, so I had time to make some coffee and prep for the day’s sail prior to departure.
Sailing Alone Around the World
Chapter 1, Episode 1
The first episode of the Ventura Sailing was filmed at this time. I was inspired by Brian and Brady of SV Delos fame to create some “SLOW TV”. So I’ve taken footage from my trips and coupled them with a public domain recording of Joshua Slocum’s “Sailing Solo Around the World”. The story is interesting and the images are simple reminders of my summer’s sailing adventures. If nothing else they help me get through the winter. I hope the same is true for you.
