Last Wednesday evening Steve Gross and I met at 4:00 p.m. and launched at Montrose Harbor. The wind was predicted to be out of the north or northwest and our intention was to paddle north. We left the harbor traveling southeast in about two foot waves, to avoid as much of the rebound off the seawall as possible.
It soon became apparent the light wind had not changed from the southeast as predicted, so we continued southeast and then south, intending to paddle well out from the rebound to Diversey harbor.
Opposite Belmont harbor we noted the wind appeared to be shifting to the north, so we reversed direction and headed north hoping to meet Steves family at the north end of Montrose beach, where one son was playing soccer. We surfed our way into the beach to be met by Steves other son and later Steve met his wife.
Leslie and Kristof Dressler appeared shortly, having also come from Montrose harbor, and surfed onto the beach. It was cold on the beach and we soon relaunched after eating what we had available, including Beverlys home made cookies. For standing around on a cold beach, one should bring an extra jacket and dry gloves.
We paddled back around Montrose point where Leslie and I went into the harbor about 8:00, leaving Steve and Kristof paddling on into the evening.
Jim Des Jardins