Smoky Point, Lake Superior – August 30, 2013
Silver blue waves slide down the coast from the north. The wind pushes behind them, gusting and bullying the water, defied only by a sheet of grey clouds that move across the sky on a current all their own.
The air feels off and unstable. It doesn’t make sense to me. I expect betrayal and my eyes never leave the sky for long
Waves rise in protest as soon as I venture into them. They toss the boat between peaks, smash the hull down, and crash over the deck. Against rock walls the water turns into a chaos of rising and falling surfaces, energy moving in all directions at once. The lake is an ocean again and every unused moment from the last three days haunts my thoughts.
I fight for inches, hopping from cove to cove, darting around points, resting in bays, sneaking forward in pieces. My eyes are always on the unstable sky, my heart always beating faster than I like. I feel like a thief stealing miles from a day that doesn’t belong to me.
I stop in a small cove after working past a long, rocky wall. The sun won’t set for hours, but I’ve begun to feel the weight of each stroke in my arms. I sit in the calm water for a moment to decide, look out at the waves rushing by, then drift to a slice of protected beach and drag the boat ashore, content with eleven stolen miles.
Predictably Lost 
When I opened up this blog and saw the photo attached I thought, “Oh boy. It’s gonna be a slow go day of workin’ it!” You are wise to stop when your arms are so tired. It is a lot of work and for
safety on this treacherous lake you need all your strength. Blessings Be!
Daniel, I’ve followed your blog from the beginning in Angle. I believe your skills as a writer have progressed just as you have made progress toward journey’s end in Angle. Since entering the Great Lakes your entries seem especially well written. This one accompanied by the beautiful Superior North Shore coastline photograph is a favorite and captures my own experiences and feelings from kayaking adventures. It is with personal frustration but admiration for your decision to forego a professional career to undertake this great adventure. Good decision!!!!
The one trait old adventurers have is being smart and having outdoor sense. No one beats mother nature and really, why would anyone want to? Ego is not a good answer, Love the writing D!
Eleven miles is often a good day on Lake Superior. Better than zero miles and I’m sure there will be a few days like that ahead.
Hang in there Daniel. Thinking of you. Your writing skill inspires me to …..keep writing. It is such a craft. Love
Berney