“The Three Day Blow” is the title of an Ernest Hemingway story which takes place during a windstorm, accurately describing the weather system Stephen encountered in his first week of paddling. Here is a picture of S headed out into the windy day that just got windier, eventually forcing him to land and wait for safer conditions. The Straits area is known for winds that make traveling across the Mackinac Bridge exciting.

Listening to the marine weather forecast with sister, Pamela.

North into the Straits of Mackinac that connect Lakes Michigan and Huron.

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L to R: Ryan, Denise, Perry, Ruth, Stephen, Tamara, Kat, Carolyn, Wayne, Nancy and Tim, dear friends all!

June 24, 2010 Stephen headed out into Lake Michigan via Little Traverse Bay in Petoskey, MI. Carolyn and Wayne kayaked across the whitecapped bay to Harbor Springs with him, then on he went alone. One man, one paddle, one more lake.

Fare thee well paddler.

Now it is June 27, Stephen’s 59th birthday, and I met him to camp at Wilderness State Park near Mackinaw City. He is poised to cross the Straits of Mackinac, but un(fortunately!) delayed by the weather, is celebrating his birthday with me and his sister and brother in law from Madison, WI. Our friends David and Anabel hosted breakfast, as they did last year on Stephen’s first day of paddling. A lovely time was had by all.

The support of friends, family and other well-wishers has been appreciated more than it is in my power to describe!

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Lake Michigan Bathymetry

It’s that time again; summer solstice, wedding anniversary, Stephen’s birthday; which means it is time for him to begin a circumnavigation by canoe around a second Great Lake. Tentative launch date is Thursday, June 24th, 2010. Wednesday’s departure was shifted due to a combination of weather (thunderstorms) and logistical (last minute improvements to the Kruger canoe) factors. The starting place is the mouth of the Bear River where it empties into Petoskey’s harbor.

Click on “Where’s Stephen Now?” to go to a shared page where his Spot satellite locater/emergency beacon is connected to Google maps. You can zoom in and out on the maps, see satellite photos of the areas he is paddling, and where he has been.

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