The return journey

Twenty eight days later, another work cycle has completed and the crew looks forward to a well-deserved month at home after over 3000 miles of steaming around Lake Erie and the Detroit River breaking ice. However, the weather reports have been ominous about the worst winter storm coming for Tuesday night and Wednesday just when our crew change is scheduled.

Plus, we have to get a ship from Windsor to Nanticoke before the gale force winds start pushing the pans of ice around and creating extreme pressure in the ice field on the lake. Fortunately, we manage to get through the worst of the ice in the west end of Lake Erie before the winds really start to howl out of the North East and then depart from our escort once he is safely around Long Point and headed towards Nanticoke. Then, all we have to do is steam over to Port Colborne and wait expectantly to see if the other crew will be able to make it through the storm.

In the end, the weather is not as bad as predicted though not pleasant and the new crew show up only a half hour late allowing our weary crew to make our best way home along the snow-covered, truck strewn highways of southern Ontario. Not surprisingly, many people are talking of trips to Florida or the Carribean during their time off, putting images of ice and snow far behind them.

I will be leaving behind the stationary bike in the exercise room that has seen little use during this busy month with thoughts of at least another two months before being able to contemplate any idea of getting my bike back on the roads of Montreal. But February is perfect for outdoor skating and some forays in the woods for snowshoeing. Better still, like the pale line of approaching dawn on the east horizon, I saw an announcement for the Montreal Bicycle Show this month!

http://www.salonduvelo.com/en/index.html