June 30, 2021, Wednesday, Presque Isle in Erie, PA

Once again I was awake at 5:00 AM so I turned on NPR for a news update. I drifted in and out until I got up at 6:20. By 7:00 I had finished my coffee and posted the blog update. Time to leave. I wanted an early start hoping to avoid pop up afternoon thunderstorms. 

I went downstairs to tell Kerry not to get up as I did not need any help departing. But she was so sound asleep so I did not disturb her but instead just started the engine and prepared to cast off all the dock lines. Before I was finished Kerry showed up all dressed and ready to go. So we departed.  I went about 10' sideways off the dock when I saw the power cord still attached to shore! Damn. And of course when I got back to shore I glanced at the Looper boat behind me, and saw the captain and crew standing on deck watching me (with amusement I would imagine). I just shrugged my shoulders and they said they too had done that before. Would have made a great picture with that cord stretched out from the dock, but it's hard to think of that in an (mini) emergency situation. Kerry went back to bed, but not before making me a delicious continental breakfast. 

The trip today was 49.8 miles. It took 6 hours at an average speed of 8.5 knots. We passed 2 Loopers coming from Erie. I figured there must be 8 left as the Looper at Geneva said 10 were coming today from Erie. I turned on the radar for the first time today and practiced adjusting it until I could pick up all the fishing boats around me. Never know when it will be needed. Kerry made a tasty egg salad for lunch. 

The wind and seas were building as we turned into the park so we were glad we left early. We were at the park entrance at 12:30 and anchored by 1:00. The anchor grabbed so hard as we were backing I though we had hit something. It was a nice change from East Harbor where we always drag in weeds. Five Looper boats were already anchored here, but this is a big anchorage and there was plenty of room for Annie. 

It was a pleasant afternoon. After we were settled we had ice tea on the upper deck, then passed the afternoon leisurely. A short rain shower came through about 3;00. We took showers off the back of the boat sometime. At 4:00 we decided to have cocktails sitting on top of the pilot house at the front of Annie. It was breezy and cool, very nice. The heat wave seems to be broken now. We had grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner. We caught our duck wearing Andrew's hat and sent him a picture.

Cocktails and dinner were over by 6:00 PM. We relaxed and read Home Handyman magazines until bedtime. Trump and Texas's Governor were on Hannity at 9:00 so we listened in bed for awhile as we fell asleep. The forecast calls for rain late.