Lake Superior Trip, Day 4, Thursday, July 21

0600-Sky has broken cloud cover, there is a light breeze. Will put on the coffee.

0820-Finished coffee, cookies, and my study and prayer time. Now time for breakfast.

A big power boat headed up the channel to Red Rock to pickup fishermen or to drop them off, not sure which?  Sent me rocking and rolling in his wake as he came up from the narrow channel from the fish camp.

0900-Ready to pull anchor.  Wind is questionable. Maybe 12 mph out of the NNW. 

Leg 3a, Day 4, 12.2 Miles - Some Exposure To Big Lake
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High Cliff Face Along Route
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1115-Tied up to a rocky shore with an adjacent cliff to climb, not sure it will work due to opening to the Big Lake to SSE. Will have to watch the forecast.  Traveled 12.2 miles.

First Tie Up Was Untenable
Rocky Bottom & Residual Swell From Big Lake
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Rocky Cliff - Nice Perch
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Windy enroute but winds were blowing offshore so I hugged the shore and the waves did not have enough fetch to build much. I observed a group of kayakers camped along the shore and one cruising power boat heading in the opposite direction.

I'm thirsty but not hungry but I feel like a beer and some chips are in order.

1225-Dishes done but I don't like the occasional pounding of the boat on the rocky bottom. Will try to move over to the adjacent cove (Marcil Bay) and hopefully find more favorable protection.

Rocky Bottom
Piles On Beach Not A Good Sign!
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Exposed To Big Lake Through Pass - Not Good!
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I put on shorts due to warm temps so will have to put my jeans back on because it gets cool on the water when underway and I can't take any sun.  Too bad, I thought this was a site I might be okay with.  It has a nice cliff to climb and wood for a fire too, but will have to pass it up.

Looking Back As I Depart Marginal Tie Up Site
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1430-Turned out Marcil only had an anchoring option and since I've anchored for two days in a row I wanted to get off and walk around so I passed on Marcil Bay and kept working SW. 

I went another 6.2 miles and found a place to tie up just SW of the entrance to Shesheeb Cove.  It is a real tight cove between two islands but depth looked adequate. There was a cabin nearby on the mainland but I hoped I couldn't see it from my tie up point and that no one was home. I took the narrowest entrance on the SE and promptly ran aground in the waters which were barely deep enough to pass through the extremely narrow channel less than the boats length in width!

Leg 3b, Day 4, 6.2 Miles - Day Total 18.4 Miles
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Leg 3b, Day 4 Tie Up - Ran Aground In Entry
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Fortunately, I got off the rocks and did not hit the prop. I worked my way in past a big beaver lodge and found a place I could tie to shore. 

Beaver Lodge - Evidently Not Active
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I found some rings in the rocks to tie to but could only use one of them.  I used trees for the bow and starboard guy. The bow required an extension. (later this became a problem)

Old Tie Rings With Cable
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Tie Up In Narrow Channel Between Two Islands
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The tracking had not engaged, which is the second time this has occurred.  I need to be sure to check it prior to departure from now on.

This is my longest distance in one day so far. Legs of 12.2 and 6.2 for a total of 18.4 miles. In the end I got a much nicer spot. Thank you Lord!

1620-I prepared dinner, grilled tenderloin steak, mashed potatoes, salad, roll, and beer.  No red wine!  Put the dishes in a pan to soak.  Too late to nap. 81F/84F.  To warm to cut firewood so I will hold off for now.  I plan to stay here for two nights.

I'm tired enough to nap but it is just too late and will affect my sleep tonight. 

Still windy, has been all day. I didn't expect all this wind in late July!

1730-I set up the fire ring on the other side of the narrow island out of the wind then gathered some firewood for tomorrow evening.

Fire Ring And Perch On Main Channel
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Looking NE From Perch On Main Channel
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I was hot after doing that so I checked the water temp to take a swim to clean up but it was only 58F! Cold, cold, cold! I still went in anyway but only dunked in to get my head wet a couple of times. Managed to trip over a stick and cut the back of my left ankle. Drying off with a white towel I saw blood but couldn't see where it came from.  While putting on my socks I saw blood on part of my clean pants and some on the comforter.  Finally I found where it was coming from. Nothing like getting your clean clothes dirty before you even put them on! I tried to wash some of it out of my jeans and had to put a band aid on my ankle to keep from bleeding into the clean socks too. Always something!

2220-Just came in from the fire. Had some more excitement while sitting by the fire ring doing some filming I heard a large bang from the direction of the boat! I stopped recording and ran to check the boat.  I found the boat had gone sideways dropping the gang plank on the rocks causing the loud noise I heard! 

Current Likely Cause Of Boat Going Sideways!
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I re-tied the lines.  The bow line was way too long allowing the bow to work downwind.  I tied it up short using another ring and left the guys tied as they were.  

I went back to the channel side of the small island and read my book and listened to music.  I took several photos and some videos.  I also recorded sounds of waves splashing against shore for future use of the sound track.  Finally I lit the fire and just enjoyed the quiet of the evening.  

I Think This Is An Immature Red Breasted Merganser
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There is a kind of high thin layer of cirrus clouds or haze, not sure which, so star gazing is not in the works for tonight.  Already a bit late but I will listen to my audio book and hit the sack.  All is quiet and as secure as it can be.

YouTube Video

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