Lake Superior Trip, Day 16, Tuesday, August 2 (Travel Day)

0450-Up and at 'em. 58F/62F. Solar 76%.

0650-Study complete, will make breakfast and prepare to head home. 250 mile drive today.

The Drive Home
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0720-Will be off shortly.

Departing Grand Marais, MN
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Fog Coming Off Lake
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Cliff Along North Shore Highway
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YouTube Video - Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel

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1230-Arrived Forest Lake at my friend's place where I stage for trips.  Solar 100%, so performance for the trip was great. No issues, no need to tilt to maximize watts the whole trip. Drive was pleasant and uneventful, thankfully.  I will transfer some gear to my car and head to my home in White Bear Lake.  A great trip completed.

Next trip will be Lake Temagami, Ontario 830 miles east of Twin Cities.

Lake Superior Trip, Day 15, Monday, August 1 (Travel Day)

0630-62F in/60F out. Solar 73%. 

0800-Finished reading. Will make breakfast and prepare to depart for Grand Marais, MN

Nearly Ready To Go
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YouTube Video - Backdrop To Red Rock Marina
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Red Rock, Ontario To Grand Marais, MN
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1115-Arrived in Grand Marais. I will go get a donut at the "World's Best Donuts"; a favorite stop.

1220-Had coffee and a maple-bacon long john (wonderful!) at the donut shop. Then I walked back to get my shower kit and clean clothes and walk to the Grand Marais Rec Area for a shower.  I will wash dishes before walking to the park, so that job is out of the way.

Short Walk To Everything From Where I Parked
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1345-The shower felt great!  I walked back to the boat and had a glass of wine and listened to music while I waited for the 3 pm "Sailor's Tea" at Java Moose.

1500-Went down to the Java Moose to meet with the sailors for coffee.  We had a nice group of seven to catch up on the summer activities of everyone.

North House Folk School Sailboat The "Hjordis"
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1845-I took close friends, Art & Beth, out to dinner at "The Brewery". I had perch tacos and a beer, very tasty! Now I'm back at the boat for the rest of the evening.

I will enjoy my usual Bailey's with chocolates for dessert, listen to my audio book and hit the sack.  Hopefully the street will be quiet enough to sleep well.

1945-Listening to music. Sun went down over the hill so I opened the stern door to get the cabin cooled down for sleeping. It was quite warm up on the hill late in the day but should cool off quickly.

Lake Superior Trip, Day 14, Sunday, July 31

0630-58F in/54F out. Solar 74%.  Partly cloudy. Breeze out of NNE but it is supposed to be SE. Seems like weather is often not what you expect up here.

0835-Finished my study time with coffee and cookies.  Time for breakfast. Still not certain of plans for today, but it's looking like I may need to go into Red Rock a day early due to stronger winds tomorrow.

0915-Departing for Red Rock.

Spar Buoy - Nipigon Strait
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Range Lights To Maintain Alignment With Safe Channel
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YouTube Video - Making The Turn Into Nipigon Strait

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1300-Arrived Red Rock.  Had a little rock and roll as I crossed the most open stretch with some left over swell and increased wind. Leg 9 was 23.8 miles for a trip total of 108.5 miles. 

First Part Of Leg 9
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Second Part Of Leg 9
Total Leg 23.8 Miles, Total Trip 108.5 Miles
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Docking was challenging with wind gusts but fortunately there was a hand on the dock to catch my lines. I nearly ran out of gas in the tank I was using. Lesson learned, always go into a harbor with plenty of fuel in the tank! It could have ended disastrously since it was all rocks downwind!

Red Rock Harbor
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1445-Loaded the boat without much fanfare.

Official End Of Waterborne Trip
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1625-Finished chili dinner with salad, hot roll, and a beer. Will wrap up the rest of the work in the morning and then head to Grand Marais, MN.  71F/71F. Solar 100%.

1845-Took a walk after dessert of Bailey's and chocolates. The harbor development is a very nice facility.  They have a well known music festival here next weekend so it will soon be quite busy. (Live from the Rock Folk Festival)

Welcome Center - Red Rock Harbor
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Paul Bunyan Working A Log
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Well Used Walkway During Famous Music Festival
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1915-I will listen to my audio book and hit the sack since it looks like rain again!

Lake Superior Trip, Day 13, Saturday, July 30 (Layover)

0615-59F/55F. Solar 76%. Peaceful, very quiet night. Calm morning with sun about to rise. I will warm up some coffee cake to have with coffee.

YouTube Video - 5 AM In The Morning
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1020-Finished a big breakfast, a veggie & cheese omelet, with bacon on the side, toast with raspberry jam and a glass of O.J.

Breeze is up as forecast. Skies are clear. 69F/70F. Solar 83%. 

Time to wash dishes and then take the kayak down to the portage and maybe into the inland lake that Dahl says is close by the fish camp. 

Kayaking Down Channel To Portage
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Dramatic Terrain In This Anchorage
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1130-Finished dishes and clean up. Anchorage is quiet, no visitors, just sunny and very peaceful.

1300-Just returned from kayaking south to the fish camp and the portage but wind exposed the shore where the portage is located and I wasn't in the mood to have a kayak upset getting wet in the process, so I passed on the plan to walk over to the inland lake and meandered my way back to the boat. Upon arrival it was time for a frosty mug of beer.

                          

Boat Pics 
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The seat of my pants got wet from the damp kayak seat so I put my jeans in the sun to dry and put on my shorts.

There was no activity at the fish camp nor at the large cruising power boat nearby.  An old steel hulled boat that looked like an old Chris Craft.

Old Steel Cruising Boat Found Nearby - No One Aboard
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1650-I sat out on the stern deck and listened to music for a while.  I then finished the first volume of Grey Owl and followed that with grilling a burger to have with chips and another cold beer for dinner.

Frosted Mug Of Beer - Benefits Of Fridge/Freezer
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1810-Sat on the aft deck sipping Bailey's and eating my chocolates for my evening dessert. It is still early but the sun is shining into the cockpit so I went inside the cabin to get some shade.  I was listening to music so brought the speakers in with me.

1930-Now listening to my audio book while I laid on the bunk.  I could have fallen asleep but did not want to do that this early.

2100-Spent some more time on the aft deck looking for wildlife activity and was rewarded with six loons interacting with each other calling back and forth and three otters that came swimming along the shore. Unfortunately, they did not come close enough for photos.

I will listen to my audio book and then hit the sack.  73F/64F.  Solar 95%.

Lake Superior Trip, Day 12, Friday, July 29

 0320-64F inside/61F outside. Solar 88%. Wind came up and started slapping against the hull at about 0230 and I could not get back to sleep, so I got up.

0530-Finished Bible study and prayer time. Still dark outside. I will make breakfast since I'm not sure I will move, or not? The breeze has blown most of the night and is supposed to be NW, but I need daylight to verify the direction and strength.

0620-I made the decision to go and departed the anchorage headed for Moss Island where I previously anchored at the beginning of this trip.

Early Start To The Day
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Looking East Into Open Lake
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0845-Arrived at Moss Island's north anchorage. Leg 8 was 14.7 miles. Had to set the anchor twice. First set appeared to get caught up in some weeds.

Leg 8, Day 12
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Northern Tip Of Moss Island
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Anchorage Detail
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Completed the dishes and settled in. I feel better to be within staging distance to make the last leg across Nipigon Bay and into Red Rock, Ontario.

Sky is cloudy and some light mist occurred while enroute. Sunshine is spotty at best. 66F/64F. Solar 77%.  Solar has performed well on this trip, in spite of cloudy and rainy weather.

1030-Had some lunch since I ate breakfast early.

Configuration Notes
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1320-Listened to my new audio book "The Targeter" by Nada Bakos, then napped to catch up on the short night. It is still cloudy, but no rain. 70F/66F. Solar 77%.

1445-Made coffee and baked coffee cake, since it is cool and cloudy outside.  I might as well do some baking. Tasted great as usual. I will have the second muffin for tomorrow's study time.

1515-Listened to my audio book.

1800-Set up the shower afterward.  Showered and put on a new set of clothes. I will make grilled chicken for dinner. 69F/66F. Solar 100%.

1900-Finished dinner of grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, salad, roll, and white wine. A great dinner following a nice shower and I feel great! 73F/68F.

Enjoying The Evening
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2145-Went out on the aft deck after dinner to listen to music and enjoy the beautiful anchorage while I sipped some Baileys and enjoyed my dessert of chocolate covered almonds. It is beginning to cool off so I came into the cabin to listen to my new audio book by William Kent Krueger "Purgatory Ridge". 69F/65F. Solar 95%.

YouTube Video - Day 12 

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Sunset
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Lake Superior Trip, Day 11, Thursday, July 28

0620-56F in/52F out. Solar 84%, mostly cloudy, calm.

0900-Study and breakfast finished, preparing for departure for Otter Cove.

Cloudy Rainy Day
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1030-Arrived at Otter Cove. Leg 7 was 10 miles. I followed a sailboat into the harbor where there was a crowd of boats! Not sure I will stay more than one night, I can't see fighting the crowds just to go back up to the falls.  It would be nice because it is a good place to get cleaned up.  There is also a one mile trail to an inland lake.

Leg 7, Day 11
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1140-Dishes are done. Still five boats left.  While doing dishes wind came up to 13-15 mph but the boat is riding fine to anchor. I might move in closer if some boats leave and I decide to stay.  69F/65F. Solar 88%.

One Of Five On Arrival
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Hiking Options - Otter Cove
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1200-Undecided about tomorrow. Winds look best for going tomorrow, but wind will stay up today so it is unlikely I will get to shore to do a hike unless I move in closer to the trail head.  I will consider that depending on the weather since rain is threatening. This trip has been plagued with rain and wind, unusual for late July. It may have been better to come in mid-August?

Otter Cove Detail
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1245-70F/66F. Made some hot chocolate and sat on the aft deck while I drank it along with a couple of cookies. Rain still threatening. Maybe it's a good time for a nap. I will listen to my audio book and try to fall asleep.

1400-I did take a nap and woke up just in time to see the Canadian Coast Guard leaving. I did not see them arrive and do not know why they were here?

1810-I pondered going ashore to hike to the falls since the weather moderated but then it began to rain again! I finished "The Escape" by Baldacci and started "The Targeter" by Nada Bakos about her life in the CIA.

My Shuttle To Shore
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Took a break and made spaghetti dinner and once again contemplated going ashore but decided I was comfortable and had little desire to work up a sweat paddling ashore and hiking inland about 1/2 mile to the falls.

I went back to my audio book as I plan to just stay aboard and make an early departure in the morning. I may have coffee before I leave, but will hold breakfast until arrival at the next site. I want to ensure I leave early enough to have favorable winds for the leg. 73F/72F.

2050-Listening to my audio book before bed. 72F/68F. Solar 100%.

YouTube Video 

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Lake Superior Trip, Day 10, Wednesday, July 27 (Layover)

0600-57F/54F. Solar 63%. 

0810-Kayakers depart to east but they came from the east? Seemed strange because I thought they were heading to Silver Islet which is SW and the channel is right here to go that direction. Why they approached from the east is unknown.

Kayakers Departing In Fog
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0840-Finished my morning Bible study & prayer time. I will make some breakfast then need to decide whether to move or stay.

Fog Beginning To Lift
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0915-Breakfast is finished, but I ran out of propane suddenly in my main tank. I hooked up the back up from the fire ring (11 lbs.) but I'm not sure what remains in that tank.  I will have to ration usage since it will likely be close given the time remaining on this trip. I figure I'm using about 1.2 lbs/day based on the previous Oahe Trip and this one so far.  I'm using heat every morning and sometimes more on cool days. Good thing I brought along this extra tank.

Fog Moved Off, Time To Go Kayaking
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I'm debating whether to move to the small island on the south end of Blacks Wharf, where I stayed before.  I don't feel like contending with others that may want to come into this site I'm at like the kayakers did yesterday.  On the other hand it is a nice site and very secure.  Jury is still out!  Solar 60%. 67F/59F.

I will tarry and see how things develop.  I would like to use the kayak here anyway.

1000-Finished dishes, rebandaged my damaged fingers, and will probably go kayaking shortly.

1115-I've been bailing out the kayak, a surprise since it has a cover.  I may need to spray it with some silicone to keep it from leaking through the fabric.  I will let the kayak dry out more before I try to use it. 

A couple sailors out of Thunder Bay came by and wanted to look at the boat.  they were anchored down channel by Chapleau Island and said they observed five kayakers using the sauna located there.  The kayakers evidently had just arrived.

Beautiful Day To Kayak
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Kayak Route To Chapleau Island Anchorage
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1230-I just returned from paddling down to Chapleau Island Anchorage and the sauna located there, but no one was there, including the sailors.  I guess the sailors were serious about seeing the boat I should have asked them aboard, but hadn't!  Must have left immediately after they visited me.

Sauna At Chapleau Island Anchorage
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Returning From My Kayak Jaunt
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I will cut some more firewood for tonight after I have a snack.

1400-I had a chicken salad sandwich with chips and some white wine. 

I managed to cut a finger on my ax when I inadvertently touched the blade, it is sharp!  Had to do some first aid again. Now the third finger cut. My hands are covered in bandages!

I did a time lapse of a passing T-storm but the camera quit so I had to restart it. I suspect Zoleo caused the failure since it also uses Bluetooth. So I shut it down temporarily to prevent interference.

I will take a nap once the time lapse is finished.

This Little Island Captivates
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1530-I knew it was inevitable because of the popularity of this harbor.  I now have three sailboats in the anchorage just out from my site. I need to change my attitude about solitude.

I put a pizza on since it takes at least 40 minutes. I'm not really that hungry but soon will be. Salad will accompany the pizza along with a cold beer.

1645-Dinner was great!  I will read and relax until I can start the fire up, maybe around 7 pm.

1815-I sat on the stern deck and read having my usual evening dessert of Bailey's and chocolates.  One of the sailors came by in the dinghy so signaled them over and invited them to drop by the other two boats and invite everyone to come ashore for the fire later on. A real socialite I'm becoming!

2145-I just came from the fire and had an enjoyable time visiting with everyone. A T-storm drove us all back to our boats for the night.

YouTube Video - Day 10 Layover

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Lake Superior Trip, Day 9, Tuesday, July 26

0550-58F/56F, solar 79%. Took a pic of the early morning sunrise.

Sun Coming Up At 5 AM
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0800-Study and breakfast done, wind is already up. Need to get going, will begin prep. 

I had some coffee ashore with the other Ted from Silver Islet, on his invite. I think he wanted me to tarry but a gust of wind reminded me I needed to be on my way!

0830-Departed Swede Island dock.

On my way, I checked out one island that showed potential but got scared when the rocks started looking too close where I needed to go for good cover.  It was not a good spot to go aground so I continued on deciding to poke my head into Loon Harbor hoping there would not be a crowd.

Leg 6, Day 9
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I observed one sailboat departing as I entered the Loon Harbor from the east.  Another was  anchored in the east channel anchorage.  69F/70F. Forecast was for mid-50's, not sure what the temp difference is all about, we aren't even close to forecast!

Loon Harbor Detail
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Loon Harbor - Looking East
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0945-Arrived at the selected Loon Harbor site, my old sailing stomping ground by the old boiler wreck on the west end. I've stayed here numerous times in a sailboat.

1045-Dishes are done.  I will put together wood for a fire later if it doesn't rain.  Currently it is partly sunny with a light breeze about as forecast, 9-10 mph.

Hill Side Flowers
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Definitely Brighten The Scene
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Chance of rain goes to 51% at 7 pm, about the time for a fire! Then it drops off again by morning.

My "Other Brother" Ted With His Fishing Buddy From Swede Is.
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1130-I cut a little firewood then decided I should fly the drone while I could, lighter winds and no crowd of boats around.  So, I made two quick flights. I will head up the hill to cut more firewood.

Fireplace Has A Great Overview Of Harbor
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1200-Wood is ready for a fire tonight. I hope I am alone.  I put the chair out on the foredeck and will read for a while and sip some white wine.

Loon Harbor Tie Up
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1420-Five Kayakers came in from the NE heading right for me. I knew I was doomed! They asked if I would mind if they camped there and I said "it is a free country", not very enthusiastically, but what am I going to say? "No!"  I have no right to say that.  It is a little like a stranger with 5 friends coming to your door at home and asking if it is okay if they stay overnight in your house. 

Courteous But Pushy Kayakers
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Nevertheless, I felt bad about my attitude and the way I expressed it so after they beached their kayaks I went over and invited them to my fire later in the evening.  They never did join me!  I guess I ticked them off in spite of not saying "No" to their request.

I ran into this same attitude up on Lake Kabetogama with a large house boater that was going to force his hand and barge into my boat site.  Not dissimilar to these kayakers who decided this was where they were going to stay and no one was going to stop them.  I ran into it again on Temagami later in the fall with another group of kayakers did the same thing.  There seems to be little respect for first come, first serve, or the right to other's privacy.  Their personal plans and desires trump others who were there first.  Oh well, it is the world we live in I'm afraid.

1600-Just finished grilling a steak tenderloin accompanied by potatoes, salad, roll, and a cold beer.

If weather holds I will have a fire tonight. Wind is still gusting at least 15 mph.

Little Island
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1645-I went up the hill to cut more firewood but wouldn't you know it, it began to rain! That wasn't suppose to happen until at least 7 or 8 pm!  68F/64F. Solar is 96%, in spite of sucking juice to charge my drone battery bank.

1720-Rain stopped but not sure for how long? Spent some time planning the return route to Red Rock and the stops along the way.  

2000-Burned the fire for a while but it kept trying to rain.  Kayakers are all in their tents. I hung on but finally went back to the boat to listen to my audio book and hit the sack early.  65F/60F. Solar 90%.

Early Fire-Trying To Beat The Rain
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YouTube Video - Leg 6, Day 9

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