It’s over. Boat’s officially up on her rack for the winter. Balanced on some iron rods on a cement parking lot, waiting for the return of summer days. We keep her about 15 miles south of downtown, up the Calumet River at Crowley’s Yacht Yard. It’s about a 2-3 hour sail south from Monroe Harbor where we keep her moored in the summer. My boat partner and I do the trip together most every year and it’s always a great time. This year we had perfect wind and weather, fairly warm for a late fall day, with a beautiful sun and nice breeze out of the west. Each year we need to take the harness off our buoy, get the dinghy from shore, pump out the head (where the toilet proceeds are stored), and fill her up with diesel before heading south. Noteworthy this year was the dinghy pickup procedure. I dropped Aaron off on shore to get the dinghy, which he promptly did, dropping her into the water and shoving off while I pulled the big boat up beside him. He got ahold of the boat, stood up in the dinghy and began tying her to the stern of the Imjatse (the boat’s name, she’s an Ericson 28). I asked him “You all set?” and he said “yep!” so I gunned it as we were in a hurry. Next thing I hear is “hey! hey! hey!” and I look back to see him laying on his back on the side of the dinghy, flailing around, body half in the water, half in the dinghy, desperately trying to stay out of the water as it slowly heeled over. I watched him, turned back to the wheel, turned back to see him, not sure what to do for a split second before I cut the gas, but too late as I watched him, fully clothed in about four layers, slip into Lake Michigan. I dropped the ladder and in a split second he swam to the boat and seemed to fly up it, next thing he is standing there in the cockpit with me and we both begin laughing, doubled over. Would have been even better had he not had his I-phone in his pocket which was destroyed. Suck. Fortunately he had some foul weather gear on board he was able to change into.
Before we left, there was a fairly bad omen – a sunken boat being hauled out of the harbor. Very sad to see. Apparently several boats broke loose from their moorings during a fierce storm out of the southeast. Monroe Harbor is unprotected in the north end of the harbor to swells out of the southeast – huge waves can roll in straight from the lake after miles of building up, unchecked by a seawall. A few boats’ harnesses couldn’t take it and broke loose and the boats were quickly blown into the north end of the harbor where they were beaten to death against the iron walls and sank. Very sad and a recurring nightmare of mine.
We made a gorgeous sail about three hours south under jib and main, avoiding the shoals but barely, watching the depth gauge go from 28 feet to eight feet in just a few seconds, that’ll wake you up!
We entered the outer Calumet harbor and radioed the drawbridges, they kindly stopped the car traffic and both opened for us. We waited maybe five minutes for another sailboat as well as a tugboat to both head up the river with us. After a smooth landing at the Crowley’s docks, my girlfriend Lisa picked us up, great day!
A weekend or two later we again headed to the boatyard and winterized the boat, and also shrink-wrapped her. About a four hour job. Also changed the oil, put in a new oil filter, and ran antifreeze into the engine and through the water system.
I haven’t posted in a while and have a hadful of random things to talk about that have occurred the last month or so.
First is this video of my friend Tadd Maudlin, cruising on his sailboat off the coast of Belize, doing a dance that I used to do in college and most likely still do. I’m very jealous of him – bought a boat and is cruising on it indefinitely with his girlfriend, they are now in the Carribbean off Belize – follow them on their blog at http://lastknownposition.blogspot.com
Speaking of boats, mine was broken for two long weeks – the motor went out while we were sailing, so we had to sail her into the can with pretty much no wind – super fun and challenging. Then I tried a zillion differnet things to fix her, all to no avail and making it worse over about ten days. Called a boat mechanic named Doug Pietz recommended by my boat neighbor. He met me out on the boat and proceeded to tear into the motor fearlessly – fixing three problems, each of which could have been a major issue on its own, all in the span of under two hours. A true professional and it was really amazing to watch him work. I was very impressed with his skill and his pricing and efficiency and fun attitude. If you need boat engine work done certainly call him at 847 533 9030, he is spectacular.
This past weekend I went to another lake house, also in Michigan and on the shore of Lake Michigan and its spectacular giant sand beaches – they are truly stunning if you have a chance to check out the west coast of the lower peninsula definitely do, they seriously rival many of the great beaches around the world in my opinion in the summer, and also very cool to experience in the wintertime. Stretches a couple hundred miles up the coast. Here’s a view from the kitchen:
Took different crew sailing each day of the air and water show including Friday – very fun and gorgeous days. Check the picture of the enormous American flag on a sailboat we saw.
At the Air and Water Show in Chicago 2009
Went to Devil’s Lake one Sunday a couple weeks back to rock climb with some climbing friends, great time had by all. Gorgeous, perfect day and terrific group of climbers.
This weekend we head to Lake Superior to kayak the Apostle Islands for five days, should be a great trip, sevn of us are going, really looking forward to it.
Went to a Purdue football game last Saturday, very fun to see all my old buddies and wander by my old apartment. In college I managed to jump a car over the embankment shown below, they seem to have put up posts to stop this in the future.
After racing the 101st Chicago to Mackinac sailboat race and having a heck of a good time at the party afterwards on Mackinac Island, I made my way to the ferry the next morning and managed to find my folks’ vehicle they had so kindly had their friends deliver for me to Mackinaw City. I hopped in and cruised north across the five mile long Mackinac Bridge (They actually have drivers on each side waiting to drive your car across for you if you’re nervous).
Shot from the bridge
I made it to Soo Saint Marie, and crossed the bridge into Canada. I actually was stopped at customs and they ran my record, clean of course and into Canada I went. Got pulled over and was given a speeding ticket after about three hours. Apparently at about 20 mph over they impound your car and you get in big trouble. Note this should you want to speed in Ontario. I made it to Killarney and wandered the docks until I found my folks. Spent the night there and visited with some of their friends on the surrounding boats in the harbor, and enjoyed a nice dinner in town with some of their friends. Even listened to the “Cruiser’s Net” for the north channel the next morning, a fellow who does a daily radio show for the region, aimed at boaters and you can pick it up on VHF. Quite fun to watch and listen to.
It’s very beautiful up in that area and I love the lifestyle of cruising on a sailboat in the wilderness. Essentially camping but in comfort and on the water. Wake up, have breakfast, pull the anchor, sail for a few hours to a new cove or harbor, drop the anchor, take the dinghy to shore, hike, pick blueberries, cocktails on other boats, grill dinner, eat, play cards, go to sleep, repeat. Very fun way to live! We climbed a small mountain one day, making our way down a quite precarious slope on the way down, different than the way we came up, and exceedingly steep for my 60+ year old folks, and actually for me for that matter.
My Mom working her way down the cliff, Dad lower down
My father is the happiest I’ve ever seen him up there. He’s usually a pretty happy guy, but even better up north on his beloved boat in some of his favorite country, the north channel of lake huron.
Very slow race yacht race this year – not much wind. We didn’t finish until Tuesday afternoon, usually we finish sometime during the day on Monday. The Valkyrie was doing well through about 2/3’s of the race, holding our own, near the front of our section when we took a fateful gybe too late into the Manitou islands passage and got stuck too close in to land as the wind shifted and pushed us in. We bobbed there helplessly as all the little boats we had passed over the previous days slowly caught us and passed us in the middle of the channel, and all we could do was watch. In frustration we slowly worked our way up the coast – and I mean slowly, 0-.5 knots per hour for a good 15-20 hours, enough to drive a crew bonkers. I did actually
Banana Phil
enjoy the longer race – often when the race is shorter I am looking forward to it being over by this time. On the third day I was in the groove ,
Homestretch
used to sleeping only every three hours for just three hours, enjoying the 3am to 6 am shifts – watching the black sky turn slowly less dark in the east, then blue, then finally a tiny bright orange sliver peek out over the horizon and speed up into the air, bringing warmth to us and allowing us to shed layers after the coldest part of the night.
Dawn in the Manitous, Lake Michigan
We showed up at Mackinac just in time for the rum party on the front lawn of the
Rum Party Grand Hotel Mac 2009
Grand Hotel, a spectacular event where we had a blast and carried on to hut tub and party at the Pink Pony where
Rum Party!
apparently peeing in the pool is preferable to wandering into the hotel wet and in your underwear to find a bathroom as I found out the hard way, next time I’ll know. The next morning I had breakfast with some crew members and was off to catch the ferry back to the mainland and finding my folks’ car to journey across the 5 mile long Mackinac bridge, through the U.P. and into Ontario and the north channel.
Twenty of my sister’s friends came cruising on the Imjatse Friday night. That’s a record-shattering number and the boat handled everybody easily. I believe this was our third annual event with this crew, and the biggest and possibly best yet. One of the best nights of the summer.
Watching REO Speedwagon from the boat
We picked everyone up at the dock at around six and headed straight for Northerly Island from Monroe Harbor and anchored (with a bit of slippage and re-anchoring) out just offshore in time to enjoy the sunset and hear the end of the .38 Special set. Next up was REO Speedwagon and we heard them loud and clear from the water. A bunch of guys swam and Brent entertained not only our boat but many of the surrounding craft with what is difficult to describe with words, fortunately I had my trusty camera with me and shot some video to commemorate, see below.
And then it continues with a strong finish below, an olympic-caliber air guitar scissor kick combo.
Styx finished the night and were excellent. AFter they finished we pulled up anchor and motored back to the harbor. Gorgeous night, great time, great crew, good food, plenty to drink, great bands, great city!
I raced in the NOODs Friday on the J120 racing yacht Valkyrie. There was a huge weather delay as the sky was black as night over the city and north of us out into the lake. It looked as if it was bearing down on us so we battened down the hatches and dropped our sails in preparation, but nothing except some rain ever hit us.
Chicago NOODs Friday before the storm
We waited from about 10 am until one or so, just bouncing around on the lake, I snoozed in the cabin and chatted with my fellow crew members, many of whom I’ve known for four or five years and more, racing on the same boat. It is bonding, going through storms and such together, races, post race parties, and generally spending a lot of time together. Tends to bond folks. Eventually the race committee decided things were ok to race as the wind settled down and they set a course. We decided to practice putting our spinnaker up and were very nearly late for our start, making it at the last second and fouling another boat which protested us. The second race we managed to botch as well. We have several new guys on the crew and they aren’t as practiced as the veterans. Makes a difference in the small things. Mistakes add up, small and big and contribute to winning and losing. Fun day all in all, learning experience for us and good practice. To win races you need to be smooth at all positions around the boat, have great driving, run the boat to the very edge in terms of maximum (or better said, optimum) sail out for the conditions, make solid tactical decsions, and be in the right place at the right time, meaning be in the spots with the best wind and clearest air. A bit of luck is involved as well. Check the clip below for a small bit of racing action.
Reflecting on the adventurous aspects of 2008… One of the best ever for me second only to 2000 when I travelled the world for 6.5 months. This year I was so fortunate. Five foreign countries, two new mountains climbed, fourth Chicago to Mackinac sailing race, surfing, skiing… I must list all the adventures and trips I was lucky enough to participate in this past year, and be so grateful for the opportunities I was blessed with.
Elwha Trail hike in the Olympic Mountains West of Seattle with four good buddies.
The 100th running of the Chicago to Mackinac Sailing race, on a J120 named Valkyrie, placed well in our class, finished in around 55 hours.
Cruised the North Channel of Lake Huron on a 38 foot Ericson sailboat owned by my parents with a highlight being Topaz lake.
Nantucket Massachusetts for several days with my oldest friend Spencer and his family, driving on the beach, catching bluefish from the shore, enjoying old friends, meeting my namesake, Cormac Thomas Carney
Upstate New York at my girlfriend’s grandparents’ “camp”, waterskiing, kayaking, mountain biking, swimming.
Climbing the highest point in New York State, Mt Marcy, ticking off the 12th state high point on my quest to do all 50 of them.
Jamaica for work, Kingston.
Cayman Islands to visit my cousin Megan for a few days.
Jazzfest in New Orleans for a bachelor party
Numerous mountain biking excursions around Chicago
Numerous sailing parties on my boat, a 28 foot Ericson christened the Imjatse after a Nepalese mountain I climbed.
Rock climbing in Red River gorge, Kentucky
Rock climbing at Mississppi Palisades twice
Summiting Mt Belford, a 14,000 foot mountain in Colorado, then sleeping in a bivy sack on its flanks overnight in about 15 degrees.
Pilgrimage to the original Chipotle in Denver
35 person white water rafting trip sponsored by the adventure ministry I run at church, running class III and IV rapids.
Kayaking the Vermilion River in very high, fast water.
Costa Rica! Staying at my friend’s resort, surfing, jungle hikes, four-wheeling.
Talon’s Challenge at Vail, skiing thirteen black and double black runs in a single day with a reward of a free beer and a free hat.
Skiing at Aspen with the family
Moving my friend’s sailboat 200 miles down the intracoastal waterway from Norfolk to Beaufort NC, just my father and I.
Two winter attempts of Mt Humphries, the tallest mountain in Arizona, each a failure, but getting closer and I lived to climb another day.
Thanksgiving in Boston
Ten person caving trip that I led through Buckner’s cave in Southern Indiana.
Ski trip to Wausau Wisconsin and Granite Peak Resort.
Raced the Cohasset Triathlon
40+ person sea kayaking trip led by my group
What a wonderful year, with lots of love and great relationships started, nourished, and deepened during all these adventures and trips.
I have to give a lot of credit for this year to Tim Ferriss, author of The Four Hour Workweek for his writings and inspiration to live like this – thanks much Tim and all the best to everybody in 2009. I always wanted to live like this but never knew anybody who did – I didn’t think it was really possible until I read Tim’s stuff and embarked upon the adventure. Inspirational. This year has been the best to date for my business, relationships, and adventures and experiences. I hope for an even better 2009 and hope for the same for everybody. I have to copy some of Tim’s stuff from a mentor of his here – good food for thought:
“While many are wringing their hands, I recall the 1970s when we were suffering from an oil shock causing long lines at gas stations, rationing, and 55 MPH speed limits on Federal highways, a recession, very little venture capital ($50 million per year into VC firms), and, what President Jimmy Carter (wearing a sweater while addressing the Nation on TV because he had turned down the heat in the White House) called a “malaise”. It was during those times that two kids without any real college education, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, started companies that did pretty well. Opportunities abound in bad times as well as good times. In fact, the opportunities are often greater when the conventional wisdom is that everything is going into the toilet.
Well…we’re nearing the end of another great year, and, despite what we read about the outlook for 2009, we can look forward to a New Year filled with opportunities as well as stimulating challenges.”
Put my sailboat, the Imjatse away for the winter. My father and I sailed her down in late October. Cold day. Stopped by the pumpout dock on the way out of Monroe Harbor to clean out the holding tank, then sailed her down, wind on our quarter the whole way. Had some issues finding the Hyde Park shoal, or rather, NOT finding it! got past her just fine, under the bridge, then into the dock. Fun and cold and ‘lumpy’ trip. Great annual tradition.
Sailed my boat down to Crowley’s for the winter yesterday from Monroe Harbor with my father. Fun time, failry heavy seas, 4-6 foot waves, very confused seas, very lumpy ride, wave from every which way. Wind was on our quarter however, so that’s always good. No GPS and there are a few shoals that need to be avoided, added some excitement. Had all the clothes I brought on, plus a hat and gloves and was still cold. Why do I wait so long?? Because I can’t bear to take her out, that’s why. I need a boat in the south or a home in the south or I need to live in the south. The older I get the tougher winter here in Chicago gets. Pumped the oil out of the engine, pulled the jib down, and other various tasks. My boat partner will finish most of it off Sunday when he comes down. I have to throw in some praise for my father, what a trooper! Thanks to him, had a great time and he made it possible. It is fairly hard though fun (with the right attitude) work.
However, that being said, this weekend I head to colorado to climb three fourteeners, namely Mt, Oxford, Mt Belford, and Missouri Mountain. Should be a great time. We intend to camp at 12000 feet after summiting two peaks, then summit the third the following day. I’m a bit behind on my goal of one fourteener each year, so this should catch me up to within a few years. Really looking forward to it. Again, fairly hard work but fun with the right attitude!!
Took some older folks out sailing this evening from a Church group, they were in from around the country and I did it as a favor. Though I always love taking people sailing, always so special and memorable for them. And sailing myself – I am always looking for an excuse to go out. 6-8 knots, enough to move, cruised out of the city under sail out towards the red and white water intake plant which I tell people who ask that it’s the International Clown Hotel. Some buy it. Most don’t.
The crew tonight started off slow and were a bit uncomfortable, but later loosened up and started telling stories and joking – something special happens when you’re on a boat, in tight quarters. It’s always great bonding and nearly always not just fun but extraordinarily fun. I had a blast. They started out not so helpful – but I’ve learned through the years as a captain that you often simply need to ask people to do something and they cheerfully do so. I eventually had people steering, grilling, and getting food and serving drinks so I didn’t have to do it all. Was great. So many stories from the guys about trouble they’d gotten into as teens – most often I find women do the talking, tonight was different as the men dominated the conversation. One fellow managed to shoot him self high up his leg near his groin. Another set a street on fire. Yours truly drove a pizza delivery guy’s car around the block and spent the night in jail for his efforts. Some threw apples and water balloons at passing cars.
After I dropped them off I cruised slowly back to the buoy and just hung out, savoring the last days of my boating season in Chicago. It was a spectacular, crystal clear fall night with the sky still lit, a full moon shining brightly, and the city lights stark against the painted clouds. I emailed, texted, stared at the city, had powerful, positive energy flowing through me and was so so grateful to be fortunate enough to have a boat and be so thrilled with life so often. Such an amazing city and country and planet we all live on.
Posted by forexctas 
Posted by forexctas 
Posted by forexctas 
