Chasing Waves

The Mysterious Lake Superior claimed the imagination of a seven-year-old boy, and he never lost his fascination for Big Waters. First introduced to the salt water of the Gulf of Mexico and soon thereafter to Lake Superior, the Big Sea Lady, She took him into her depths and baptized him. The result was a love and desire to be on the water, and was achieved with his wife’s support, assistance, and participation.. Together they were willing to step out of their comfort zone to be freshwater islanders and explorers of the bays and secrets of the Great Lakes. Continually searching for new adventures, this book highlights the new, exciting, and challenging opportunities which unfolded, as they increased their knowledge and experiences with large watercraft. Captain Pat earned a U. S. Merchant Marine Officer License with a 100 ton rating, which opened the opportunity to operate and move yachts throughout the northeastern areas of the United States and Ontario, Canada. Assignments included cruising through the rivers and canals connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic via the Welland Cannel, Erie Barge Cannel, Hudson River, and St. Lawrence Seaway, and piloting on the Inner Passage of the Pacific Ocean from the lower forty-eight to Alaska. The highlight of his experiences was successfully overcoming the mighty Mississippi and Illinois Rivers when they were at or beyond flood stages. These stories are told as if you were on-board, living through the challenges of striving to exceed all expectations and master being the most experienced Great Lakes pleasure boat Captain.CHASING WAVES invites readers aboard the Wintons’ succession of Sea Rays and yachts as they face dangerous flood waters, solid walls of fog, shipwrecks, submerged rocks, terrifying lock malfunctions, mechanical breakdowns, technological advances, and the sheer joy and exhilaration of boating across America’s huge waters.