[Rhodes22-list] Summer 2021 Cruise Plans?

[ROGER PIHLAJA]

Hi All,

So, here we are on Palm Sunday, 2021.  What are everyone’s plans for a summer cruise?

My plan for a Great Circle Loop High Adventure Sailing/Sea Kayaking Tour Of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore continues to move forward.  Last week, I was able to reserve a special campsite at Little Sand Bay Campground on the tip of the Bayfield Peninsula for the beginning put-in and ending take-out.  After consultation with the campground manager, it turns out campsite #40 has an unused grassy area next to the campsite where we can park S/V Dynamic Equilibrium fully rigged on its trailer.  Not only can we use the boat as a pop top camper; but, site #40 has unobstructed access to/from the launch ramp.  So, we don’t have to rig/unrig the boat at the launch ramp.  Little Sand Bay Campground will also let us park 2 vehicles + the empty boat trailer in their parking lot while we’re out on the water.

The National Park Service only reserves backcountry campsites out in the Apostle Islands 1 month in advance.  I will have to set my alarm clock early on June 22-24, 2021 to make sure I get on-line and reserve the campsites I want.

I have the design for the kayak towing harness finished and I’ve started accumulating pieces/parts.  After doing some research and modeling, I think a towing harness that lines the 4 boats up side-by-side will tow the best, be the most seaworthy configuration, and the easiest to deal with around the marina and on the beach.  But, I plan to do some tow testing with S/V Dynamic Equilibrium in late May or early June in Ross Lake, about 12 miles from my house.  I have finished the 4 cockpit covers with their around the hull retaining straps and verified fit/security on each of the kayaks.  Losing a cockpit cover and filling the cockpit with water on Lake Superior might be the start of a bad day on the water!

But, my biggest potential show stopper issue is me.  As many of you know, I am 67 years old with A-Fib and 2 arthritic knees.  I have a pacemaker and last month, I had my 2nd Cardiac Ablation procedure.  For those of you not familiar with a Cardiac Ablation, it involves making an incision in your groin, snaking a catheter-like probe up the big vein in your leg back into the heart, and then selectively electrocuting the biological pacemaker cells that are causing the A-Fib.  It stops the A-Fib; but, you are left with electrical burns and scar tissue inside the heart.  6 weeks after the Cardiac Ablation procedure, I still tire easily and have very poor aerobic stamina.  I have a lot of rehab work to do in order to be ready for the High Adventure Trip in July.

So, what cruise trips are everyone else planning?

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium





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