Day 69: Port Colborne, ON, to Erie, PA

When you read these blogs, folks, nothing is ever finished. We return to past footprints all the time and modify or add content. I acknowledge contributions from the others.

7 hr 20 min. 68 miles. Again, we’re away from the marina at around 0700—with a flotilla of local fishers moving out to await the starter’s radio call for a fishing competition—and head out into the vast Lake Erie, tracking WSW for about 60 miles to Presque Isle Bay and the Erie Yacht Club Marina. Our departure weather provides calm conditions, with only the slightest swell on the lake. We’ll cross into the US approximately half-way over, and will do Customs & Immigration upon arrival at the yacht club.

Our departure from Canada is somewhat somber as we meet for breakfast and discuss the sad news of our cousin Russell Scott's passing. We Moffats have seen Russell as a 'Newfielder'. Our Aunt Anne was still at Newfield when he first started spending time at the farm, usually with his father. Russell bought the acorn out from Balclutha, where his dad had said, "You can't plant that here," so Russell planted it at Newfield, just outside where a part of the old macrocarpa hedge is now. That acorn grew into a small tree in which Graeme and I were content to practice our climbing as youths, and now, in 2025, that Graeme describes as ‘a magnificent oak tree’.

We also recall that Russell was the only one of we 'modern Moffats' who recalled the delivery to Newfield of the first wheeled tractor in the district. We all remember Russell’s long-time connection with the pipe band and Jan fondly recalls him playing the pipes for her Scottish Highland Dancing.

Russell may be a Scott, but we Moffats pay homage to him as someone from our generation (just) who had experienced Newfield as we were unable to; when Adam and Isabel were alive and there were working horses on the farm.

Vale our elder cousin, Russell Scott, and sincere condolences to Kate; 63 years together.

Our voyage across Lake Erie is straightforward, in calm conditions with only the slightest of swells right on the bow. We enter Presque Isle Bay and motor across it to the Erie Yacht Club Marina, where we do a black water pump-out then move astern a short distance to our mooring.

A meeting of the committee decides against going out, and Graeme's plan to use some mince (ground beef to Preston) is also decided upon. He sets to in the galley whilst I keep out of his way (45 North has a 'one-bum' galley) with a nice, purely Canadian, Caesar Cocktail.. It goes pretty well with a nice curried mince and boiled spuds.

We spend a quiet evening on, preparing ourselves for a 6-o'clock cast-off and a 10-hr voyage down the Pennsylvanian and Ohio shore of Lake Erie, to Cleveland. Jan has been packing, and will leave us there, to fly on Monday across to Chicago for a couple of days before returning to NZ. Graem,e and Lorraine will continue on with me to Traverse City, MI.Lue lisää