Oahe Trip Day 4, Wednesday, May 18 

0615-I was up before the sun. 53F/47F. Full moon to the west. Solar 74%. Coffee on. Cookies ready for study and prayer time.

0830-Started breakfast. Cereal and peanut butter on toast. Partly cloudy. 70F/61F.

0850-Breafast finished. Checked weather. Wind east at 8 mph. Will depart for places north.

0920-Departed the anchorage and found a fishing boat right around the point. My first fishing boat observation! They barely acknowledged my presence.

Stopped enroute to get some clearer water for showering.  There tends to be a lot of silt in the water in the shallow inlets.

1020-Was tied up with rain threatening. 4.6 nm traveled.  Managed to fall face down in the clay mud and clogged up my sandals big time. Not sure I will ever get them clean again.  Same with the gang plank.  Had to reposition the port guy because it was just too soft to hold.

Tied Snuggly Behind The Bluff
(Click to Enlarge)

Nav Chart
(Click to Enlarge)

Goggle Earth Chart
(Click to Enlarge)

1130-Cloudy. 67F/64F. Just rained a bit but now stopped while I completed this log. Steak on the menu for tonight. Good napping weather!

I'm hidden behind a steep bluff which should block some of the strong wind expected from the NW tomorrow. 

1300-Read my current paperback "Assassin" by Ted Bell. Started out on the aft deck but moved to the bow for more shade. 69F/76F. Warmed up a lot and it's supposed to hit 81F.

Will enjoy a glass of wine and finish the other half of the chicken salad sandwich and chips for a snack to hold me until dinner. Sun is now out and solar is 100%. So I moved my drone power bank over to the main solar battery to charge.

Breeze Is Picking Up
(Click to Enlarge)

1330-Finished lunch, will go back to reading my novel on the foredeck. Playing Pandora downloads on my tablet while I had lunch. For some reason the Pandora app will not open on the phone.

1600-Read for a while but got tired so I tried to nap but just as I was getting to sleep a gust of wind blew my chair over with the book, binoculars, and my camera on it! It just collapsed on itself after the wind blew the back in. I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't.

I finally got up put on my hiking boots and went to the top of the ridge which was blocking the winds. I had to take a circuitous route due to the steepness. Again I found fire wood and there may be enough for a fire. No idea why it is present? 

Hiked to the top to see if any of the cows were headed my way but found them all laying down on the far side of the little "mountain". No sign of them approaching. 

There Is Green Grass In Spite Of All The Brown

As I walked back to the boat there were cows across the inlet that were high stepping in one direction but as soon as they saw me they stopped and reversed course. No idea why? I kept going and pretty soon they reversed course again and hoofed it back in the original direction. No idea who decides, or why they decide on any particular course..."Hey were going that way"? 

77F/83F. It got hot so I'm down to shorts and a short sleeve shirt.

Wind at the top of the hill was blowing a good 20 mph, but it is still relatively quiet down at the bottom behind the hill.

1850-Perpared and ate my grilled steak tenderloin accompanied by mashed potatoes, salad, hot roll, and red wine.  First class meal! Will likely go out and read on the aft deck for a while.  Too gusty for a table top fire unless it calms down later on. 75F/78F. Solar is 99% even after charging both the tablet and vacuum and powering the fridge, its primary job. So far my new solar array's performance has been stellar but the next couple of days will be mostly cloudy, so we'll see how it does then. The sun is higher this time of year, so a good test will be the last trip of the season in late September.

Steak Tenderloin, Mashed Potatoes, Salad, Hot Roll, Red Wine - First Class Only!
(Click to Enlarge)

2150-65F/57F. The wind calmed down and I did go out on the aft deck, but instead of reading, I listened to Pandora music and watched the wildlife and domestic cattle activity. Animal behavior has always been fascinating to me.  

Winds Calming Down For Evening
(Click to Enlarge)

About 20 cows on the opposite shore all stopped in a row and turned to face me like a rapt audience watching a performance.  They just stared at me for a long time. Again, which one says "Hey lets stop and listen to the music?" Later a pair of Swainson's hawks hunted the slopes across from me. Both seemed to hit pay dirt. I observed one dive down to get something, likely a field mouse or similar. 

A Western Grebe, actually a pair, very tentatively fed underwater nearby but seemed to have some imaginary line they would not cross in coming any closer to me. They always kept about the same distance and would come no closer. 

Western Grebe
(Click to Enlarge)

Fish were jumping all around and I saw large one break the surface while feeding. All the critters seem quite active as though trying to get one last bite before the storm comes.

The wind was calm enough that I was able to use the table top fire but unfortunately it clouded over (high clouds) so I will not be doing any star gazing tonight! Got too cold so I headed inside to listen to my audio book and hit the sack. I hope to sleep better tonight. 

YouTube Video - Leg 3, Day 4

(Click to Play)

Oahe Trip Day 3, Tuesday, May 17 

0330-Got up because of strong wind blowing from SE. Afraid it will pull my anchors.  I used the spot light to view the upwind anchor but it seems to be holding. Thunder storm and lightning to NE.

Pulled the gang plank in case I go sideways. Also cleared the primary anchor to ensure I can deploy quickly if necessary. Checked aft deck and helm is clear and ready. Connected the fuel hose, primed and started the engine to ensure it was ready. Should have gone out to anchor for the night but too late now.  Not sure I can sleep now?

Couldn't go back to sleep so decided to get up and have coffee and cookies while I read my Bible. Read a portion of "End of the Spear" by Steve Saint. Son of martyr Nate Saint along with four others in the jungles of Ecuador in the early 50's. Fascinating read!  

0630-69F/55F. Now waiting for the sun to come over the hill. Will make breakfast soon.  Solar battery 70%.

0730-Put the gang plank out to check anchors and they seem to be holding firm. Wind now down to about 10 mph with some gusts. Will try to venture out later this morning.

0830-Wind seemed to drop enough to go so I prepared to depart. Set up the nav chart on the tablet in the cockpit and rigged Zoleo for tracking by satellite.

Pulled the downwind guy first, since it was slack. Then started the motor and angled it a bit into the wind to hold the stern in position. Next I pulled the bow line and finally the upwind guy. Pulled the gang plank last. Process worked great.

0900-Motored out into the Lake and headed NW. The planned destination was about six miles (turned out to be 7.1 nm).

Nav Chart - Leg 2, Day 3 - 7.1 nm
(Click to Enlarge)

Google Earth Chart - Leg 2, Day 3
(Click to Enlarge)

1000-Arrived at anchorage but motored around a bit since I did not like my options. Finally settled on a spot and headed into the beach. Used the normal procedure and kept power on to hold the boat on the beach with the motor angled slightly to counter the wind pressure. Next gang plank went ashore followed by the upwind guy first after planting the anchor. The bow line was next and finally the downwind guy. All went smoothly. Rain is threatening but I did not get wet.

1100-Washed the dishes, then made a chicken salad sandwich accompanied by chips and white wine.

1211-Considering flying the drone since winds are now calm and there is some cloud cover to keep light from being too bright.

New Fixed Solar Panels - 4 X 100 Watts = 400w Total
(Click to Enlarge)

1310-Flew the drone with all three batteries.  Took a lot of aerial video and photos of the boat and surrounding area but it started to rain on me as I put away the gear. Recharging all batteries now. Will take a nap soon and make up for my short night.  Wind has really calmed down. Intermittent showers this afternoon. 69F/68F. Solar 100% in spite of clouds.

Boat Fuel, Lines, & Gear
(Click to Enlarge)

River Terrain
(Click to Enlarge)

Lake Oahe Inlet (Missouri River) 
(Click to Enlarge)

1400-Woke up from my nap to a motor sound and observed a ranch kid on a four wheeler on the south shore of the inlet pushing some cows back into their pasture. They had gotten around the end of the fence where it came close to the shore but was short of the water.  

The Fence That Failed!

One of the cows was giving him trouble and bolted but couldn't outrun the four wheeler.  He worked for the 3/4 of an hour tying to extend the fence but he did not have leather gloves and it is tough to work with barbed wire with no gloves! He got exasperated several times, clasping his hands over his head, looking at his cell phone, sitting on the running board of the four wheeler, and taking numerous breaks before he finally finished and headed up the hill to go home. The workmanship looked shoddy and will not likely hold.  

Scoping Out The Fence Project

1500-Since my nap was cut short and it was close to dinner anyway I started my prep. Pork roast, potatoes, salad, roll, and red wine this evening.

Drone battery bank ran out of juice so I had to double up on my equipment to finish charging. Solar is 100% so I attached a 12v adapter to the solar battery to finish charging the drone batteries and backup battery bank. 70F/73F.

1630-Finished dinner. Still managing charge up of all devices and sipping red wine.

Shower Pail, Hot Water Heater, Water Pump
(Click to Enlarge)

Shower Curtain Rig
(Click to Enlarge)

1930-Decided to shower.  I thought at first I could get by with just using the base catchment but soon realized it could lead to soapy water splashing around the aft deck.  I really needed the curtains so set about completing setup of the whole shower rig. It worked well and it feels good to be in clean clothes again. 

Put the shower rig away and then began to set up the fire ring ashore since it was a calm evening. I hope to set by the fire and look at the stars later on. I feel refreshed as I sat in my chair ashore scoping the slopes and observing a white tail deer feed on the creek flats.

Sun Going Down

2150-Came in from the fire.  No stars since it clouded over and a breeze picked up making it quite chilly. Shut down everything and hauled the camera gear etc. back to the boat. Got some time lapses. I will retrieve the fire ring in the morning.

Time Lapse Video - Evening Fire

Watched three calves get around or under the fence the kid fixed just hours before. Pretty smart, they just returned to try again! Must have been watching the kid thinking to themselves, "who is he trying to fool, won't stop us!" The adult cows could not get by but the calves could and now they are separated from mom and they need her milk! The kid now has more problems!

Listened to my audio book and hit the sack.  66F/61F

YouTube Video - Leg 2, Day 3

(Click to Play)

Oahe Trip Day 2, Monday, May 16

0600-Woke up just prior to sunrise.  Cool 52 in/41 out. Fired up the heater and made coffee accompanied by some cookies while I read my Bible. Solar indicates 79%.

0700-Started to finish launch prep and observed a single fishing boat use the launch. However, there was no one at the ramp as I backed down.  No problems!  Wind was calm.  The day is warm and sunny. Very pleasant start for the trip. No one came by during launch, which I appreciated, and the process was trouble free compared to yesterday!

Very Long Steep Ramp
(Click to Enlarge)

First Launch In 2022!
(Click to Enlarge)

Boat Trim Seems Okay In Spite of Extra Fuel & Other Additions
(Click to Enlarge)

0900-Departed the ramp and headed out of the marina around the point to the open lake and the planned anchorage 3.5 miles to the west. Not a single boat in sight! Water is flat calm with sunny blue skies. Excellent start! All systems normal.

10000-As I approached the destination across the open stretch of Lake I observed six white Pelicans and two Canada geese standing watch on the point which hid the narrow entrance to my anchorage.  Water remained deep and it was a perfect hidey hole well protected from all directions. Wind will come up later on so that's good.

White Pelicans
(Click to Enlarge)

I decided not to anchor out from shore since it was calm and it would make it easier to go ashore if I should get stuck here for a couple days. Of course this meant the first trial of my 15" auger anchors and new expandable gang plank that stows flat on the foredeck. A good day to experiment!

I pulled into shore which looked muddy and kept power on while I went to the bow to position the gang plank. I managed to get that extended and ashore without a problem. Now I had to crank three auger anchors into the ground which I've never done before. The soil seemed conducive to that method and I soon had the boat secured and shut down the engine.

Gang Plank - 6 to 9 Feet Expandable
(Click to Enlarge)

15" x 4" diameter Auger Anchor
(Click to Enlarge)

1100-Time for breakfast! A bit late but it hit the spot. Solar is back up to 100% already, a good sign. The new fixed solar array seems to be working as I hoped.

1200-Piddled around doing chores and rigging more shade on the stern with a small tarp I carry. Partly to shade the gas tanks to keep them from expanding excessively. Had a cold beer and glassed the surrounding ridges for activity.

Had To Shade Aux Fuel Tanks From Sun
(Click to Enlarge)

1300-Got tired so I took a short nap.  It's very quiet!

1400-Woke up from nap. Adjusted the shade on the stern for the changing sun angles. Temps 74 in/79 out.  Nice breeze so I needed to redo the anchors for both stern guys.  I moved them toward the water in more moist soil to get better holding.  I dug them in as deep as I could as I was afraid stronger winds could pull them out.

1545-Finished updating the log and started dinner.  Chili, salad, and roll this afternoon.

1715-Dinner is finished along with the dishes.  Re-positioned the bow anchor into more moist soil like the two guys. Took down the tarp to reduce wind resistance on the boat.  Too windy now for the drone but I may hike up the hill for a better view of the Lake. 75/78.  Too warm to read on aft deck exposed to the sun.

1800-I did make the hike up the hill to check it out. Turns out there is some wood around on the shelves and beaches so it is feasible to collect enough for a fire.

Hiked Up The Hill
(Click to Enlarge)

Note Crack In Soil, Potential Firewood On Beach
(Click to Enlarge)

There was a good view of the Lake. Breeze is up to 10-12 mph, more on top of the hill but I could move tomorrow, if it does not build further. Quite warm!

Note Narrow Entrance To Anchorage, Well Protected
(Click to Enlarge)

Good Shot Of New Fixed Solar Panel Array
(Click to Enlarge)

When I got back to the boat I stripped to my shorts at least until I cooled down. 74/77.  Solar is maintaining 100%. Wonderful!

Some dangerous cliffs on the north side of the hill.  I walked along the ridge but there were large cracks indicating the soil could give way at any time and take me with it! I walked well away to the south side of the cracks and did not tarry! (See Photo Above)

Would like to go on deck but the sun is shinning right into your eyes so I brought my chair inside to finish the log.

1920-Listening to an audio book by William Kent Krueger called "Blood Hollow" and sipping some wine.

2115-Now it is after sunset and thee wind is still 10-12 mph. 71/68. It is beginning to cool fast. Clouding up so I won't hang around to star gaze. Will listen to my audio book and hit the sack.

YouTube Video of Day 1 & 2

Drive to Lake Oahe and First Leg of Trip

Oahe Trip Day 1, Sunday, May 15

0650-Departed White Bear Lake, MN for Forest Lake, the staging site.

0720-Arrived Forest Lake, loaded clothes, removed power cord, washed solar panels to ensure a good charging enroute. I hope to maintain 100% on the solar battery.

0820-Kate read a prayer of blessing for the trip and I was off!

0845-Google maps soon started sending me along a route I did not expect and I ignored it at first.  Nevertheless, it still snookered me!  I was supposed to turn right at Hwy 100 & Hwy 7 but instead it sent me along surface streets on a circuitous route that even ended up on a short segment of gravel.  I eventually got back to Hwy 7 but was upset with the unnecessary diversion!  I've never had Google do such a poor job.  I should have ignored instructions that just seemed odd.

Map Route - 430 Miles, 7.5 hours
(Click to Enlarge)

1230-Arrived in Watertown, SD and immediately gassed up the truck. Wind is picking up! Had lunch and was back on the road by 1330. 

Wind was very strong not allowing me to hold 60 mph in 5th gear (total of six).  Most of the time it held me to 55 mph and 4th gear. But even with the slower speed I was holding close to my scheduled arrival of 1715 to 1730.

But, Google Maps started up with it's strange routing again! It tried to send me down several gravel roads what were obviously wrong.  I ended up driving down a gravel road for almost 10 miles and now the boat was filthy with dust.  

The first highway I came to I turned right since it was the direction I was supposed to go, but it was the wrong decision! I drove 3 to 4 miles and it dead ended into another gravel road! Then I had difficulty finding a place to turn around!  I used a farmers two field access roads diagonally across from each other and managed a turn around. Now I'm really upset!

I reversed course and checked the map by enlarging it and headed south determined to turn only when I saw major pavement.  I finally got the right road and headed north again, this time on a decent highway. The moral of the story is always question Google, or any map program, and always have a large scale map available to check against where Google is sending you.  I did not have that map!

1815-Finally arrived an hour late to Spring Creek Recreation Area! At least the solar kept the fridge cold and generator at 100%.

1830-I checked out the ramp (huge!) and went over to the restaurant to eat.  It was now after hours so there were no rangers around to check in.  I also had no cell service.  They had WiFi in the restaurant but no one knew the password!  I sent a satellite message to the family so they would know I arrived safely. Dinner was so, so. I wished I had just made my own dinner.

Spring Creek Marina
(Click to Enlarge)

1930-There was some light fishing boat activity at the ramp. After dinner I checked the ramp close up to see if depth was adequate for the morning launch then went back to the boat to prepare.  I got a lot done before making up my bed and pouring a glass of Baileys for a post dinner treat.  Cooling off fast and I will likely need heat in the morning.

2100-Hit the sack exhausted by the early 0330 wake up, long drive, taxing map routing, late arrival, and prep for launch.