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!
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| Very Long Steep Ramp (Click to Enlarge) |
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| First Launch In 2022! (Click to Enlarge) |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Gang Plank - 6 to 9 Feet Expandable (Click to Enlarge) |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Hiked Up The Hill (Click to Enlarge) |
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| 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!
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| Note Narrow Entrance To Anchorage, Well Protected (Click to Enlarge) |
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| 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.
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