Lake Superior-Trip Day 2, Tuesday, July 19
0600-Got up and showered, read my Bible, then heard my daughter Kelly making coffee. So I went down to join her in the kitchen.
0700-Kelly made quiche with bacon. We ate together while the others slept in.
0800-Nate and Remi finally joined us to munch on a bit of breakfast before taking me to town.
0830-Headed to town.
0900-Kid's dropped me at the rig and I was soon off for the Canadian border and places north.
Fog and rain all along the North Shore.
1000-Arrived at the Ontario Border in heavy rain. Crossing was uneventful. Agents asked about the quirky boat. We talked a bit since it was slow. I was soon on my way.
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| Border Crossing - Ontario, Canada (Click To Enlarge) |
1210-(1310 EDT) Arrived Red Rock, Ontario. Roads were good. Rain continued but petered out by the time I got there.
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| Second Leg- 147 miles (Click To Enlarge) |
Walked to the visitor center and talked with the marina manager. Paid for my launch but left overnight dockage pending.
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| Red Rock Launch Ramp (Click To Enlarge) |
Launch went well, no problems but I caught myself hurrying and forgetting stuff!
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| Red Rock Area Map (Click To Enlarge) |
1430-Decided to head out. Weather reports differed, and I was not sure, but I didn't want to spend the night in the marina, if I could avoid it. Wind would be on the bow at least, which I could tolerate better if it builds.
1500-The boat started pounding in waves, so I slowed from 7.3 mph to 5 mph to reduce the pounding. Then the wind dropped a bit and I was soon back up to speed 7.3-7.5 mph. But it did not last!
At about 6 miles out, I started to run into rain again and more wind, bigger waves, more pounding and I was taking spray over the whole boat! I began to be very concerned. The passage to the protection of Nipigon Straight was still 6 miles ahead.
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| Underway Out Of Red Rock, Ontario - Before It Got Bad! (Click To Enlarge) |
Waves continue to build to 3' or more and I began to pray earnestly for the wind and waves to come down, it was becoming hazardous! It was going to be a very tedious struggle to make the remaining miles but in answer to prayer the wind began to drop about 3 miles from the Straight entrance. I was soon back to normal speed.
The waves flattened as I entered the Straight. 13 miles behind me, but still 4 to go to the anchorage. The Strait has a dearth of anchorages.
1800-Arrived at the planned anchorage and I was frozen since I could not leave the helm until I reached the Strait. I finally donned my down vest which helped a lot.
Once anchored, I fired up the heater and put on some chili. I made a salad and fried my ciabatta to go with it. The beer mug was in the freezer, nice and cold.
2000-Dinner complete, I was finally warm again.
Went out on the aft deck to enjoy my dessert of Baileys and chocolate covered almonds.
A beaver lodge was nearby and a beaver was munching on dinner (leaves off the branches he had dragged to the lodge). The beaver slapped his tail a few times and circled the boat checking me out.
2100-I finally headed inside to get ready for bed. I listened to my audio book, but not for long since I was really bushed after the long drive in heavy rain and the tough crossing of Nipigon Bay that scared me plenty!
Not sure what time the T-storm passed but it dumped a bucket load of rain on the boat. I woke to the down pour and worried about water collecting in the bilge since the aft deck does not drain directly to the lake. (Note: it took 4 minutes for the electric bilge pump to pump it all out it in the morning.)
Lake Superior-Trip Day 1, Monday, July 18
0730-Depart White Bear Lake.
0800-Arrive Forest Lake staging location. Cleaned solar panels, pumped bilge, washed windows, loaded clothes, checked lights. Had a glass of ice water with my friend Kate before taking off.
0900-Kate said the prayer below and I was off on this sunny warm day:
Stopped briefly at Moose Lake to weigh the rig after doing the spring modifications then pressed on to Two Harbors for lunch.
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| Total Trip One Way - 400 miles (Click To Enlarge) |
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| North Shore Tunnel - Highway 61 (Click To Enlarge) |
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| First Leg To Grand Marais, MN - 250 miles (Click To Enlarge) |
1200-Had lunch at Two Harbors.
1230-Pressed on to Grand Marais. Fog offshore and in some of the bays along the North Shore of Lake Superior.
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| Arrival Grand Marais, MN (Click To Enlarge) |
1430-Arrived in Grand Marais. Topped off the fuel on the truck, $143!
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| Looking Down The Hill At Grand Marais Harbor (Click To Enlarge) |
1500-Met a group of the old sailor crowd at the Java Moose for coffee. Turned out most of the sailors were there. Art and Beth, their son Allan, his wife and two kids, Donny, Ralph and Lane and later my daughter Kelly, her husband Nate, and my grandson, Remi, joined us. Quite a group and a nice visit. Cold by the harbor but hot up on the hill where I parked on the street.
1600-Did a show and tell of the boat for Donny, Ralph and Lane. Walked back to the harbor to meet Kelly, Nate, and Remi for dinner at the Angry Trout.
1730-The kids dropped me off at the rig to retrieve my overnight bag, then we drove to their rental cabin on Pike Lake. Temps were hot up the hill, mid-80's, and humid.
Had a great visit with the kids and watched a great sunset over Pike Lake.
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