Story from the Waters of Peter's Rock

I was featured on the news for swimming to Peter's Rock and getting rescued.

Firstly, no one's fault for me ending up in the water — I hope everyone is kind to those involved.

I would thank all those involved in my rescue, my final pick-up.

  • The Grand Portage Tribal Authorities — incredibly kind.
  • All the responders that gave their time that night.
  • My Father and Son who called the Coast Guard and searched the waters for me.
  • The captain who reported I had fallen in.
  • My mom for signing me up for swimming and outdoor education.
  • My wife and 3 kids for their ongoing and continued support.

Journey & Survival

- heading to Isle Royale for Yearly Fishing Trip
- helping a family friend get ready for trip
- had to fill gas tank, delayed leaving
- was getting darker after engines were warmed up
- went in back to enjoy air, leaning on wrong area, ended up in the water
- had to shed the outside shirt because was limiting swim stroke
- hazy sun turned to hazy moon, about a half hour of sun setting water got colder
- hands would get tired so would rotate between side, breast and back stroke
- got to island slid with waves on my belly like a penguin
- walked the rocky island with cliffs to my left and right by moonlight, getting to edge of rock, where woods started
- teeth were chattering, so outdoor survival courses reminded me of hypothermia and removing wet clothing
- was going to walk into woods, then decided against it because of cliffs, unknown terrain and low light, so I stayed on rock which had some light from the orange hazy moon
- warmed by air, after about a half hour teeth stopped chattering, thought of how clothes are made of plants, so started breaking trees down for spending the night
- picked a sharp plant, so I used my tank top to grab and break small trees down
- got a few tree branches together, walked to end of rock, watched the light house blinking at me
- found best air cover on the rock, tested branch shelter, it worked mildly, but didn't have enough for lower body, was going to start back to edge of woods, but I saw a search light and decided to stay put
- about 30 to 45 minutes they were looking at my side of the rock, I was waving branches, not sure if that brought them closer, but they got closer, so I started yelling "hey" in minute intervals
- They found me, I put back on my boxers and threw my clothing to the crew, I had to jump in the water and rode the 10 minutes back to the landing

Reflections

- wish the best for everyone and how I love every person out there, religion and race
- look for what is good and try to grow and nurture that in life
- keep up what you love and build it up, have to start with one lap before you can do ten
- acknowledge life is difficult, healing takes more time than we think, and wish the best for everyone