Day 13 September 19

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Temagami Houseboat Trip - 2018

East Cross Bay to High Rock Landing 

(Cloudy, cool, wisps of fog, a breeze from the NE)

Leg 9a- Day 13
Cross Bay Boat Site to High Rock Landing

(2 miles) (Click to Enlarge)

Got an early start at first light, did the normal routine in the morning and after breakfast and ready to go it was 9 AM an hour earlier than my normal departure time.  I headed directly to the west part of this bay where the trail goes up to High Rock.  I had packed my backpack the last night so I had everything ready to go as soon as I tied up. 

Back Pack With All Drone Flight Gear
(Click to Enlarge)

High Rock Overlook - Lake Temagami
(click to enlarge)

Arrived at 9:30 AM and headed up the trail.  I filmed the full hike (see below), so it is heavily edited.  Got up on the High Rock Overlook and the view was exactly as expected (see pic above).  

Video: Hike to High Rock Overlook

Even though it was cool and cloudy it was a very nice hike and beautiful view.  I took off my down vest to cool down since the hike got my heart beating pretty good and I was heated up too.  Since I was taking a break I set up the drone and took just one flight since I got most of what I wanted.  Took a couple of camera shots too.  Then loaded up and headed down the trail.

DJI Osmo Mobile 2 Handheld Gimbal Laying On
Rain Jacket, Helipad Behind
(Click to Enlarge)

Video: Drone Flight at High Rock Overlook, Lake Temagami

I got off the site about 1100 AM and headed for my goal and last stop for this trip.  Weather stayed cloudy and breezy until around 2 PM and then the wind went light and the sky cleared, though temps are still cool. 

Leg 9b - Day 13
High Rock Landing to Last Boat Site For Trip?
(12 miles) (Click to Enlarge)

I listened to an audio book during the trip and entered the planned site the back way and almost ran aground in one place.  Have to watch it!  As I approached I was able to see that another boat was on the site. I came a day early just to guarantee I got the site, but the boat I saw this morning must have had the same idea since I suspect he checks in the same day I do. 

So I had to back track about a half mile to an alternate site and not near as good, but it is what it is.  I will have to decide whether to check the other site tomorrow or just stay put, or move to another, we’ll see.

Long Fetch to SW, Not Good If Weather Changes!
(Click to Enlarge)

I have everything charged up and now I’m just filling the solar battery even though I don’t think I will need it now.  I had planned to kayak at the other site but this site is not good for that. If so, I might have done some more with the drone.  Now I may be done with it for this trip.

Solar Panel Held Down By Socks Filled With Beans
To Keep It From Blowing Away!
(Click to Enlarge)

Dinner is spaghetti, coleslaw, roll, and red wine.  I snacked not long back with the crackers and cheese routine so I may wait awhile before eating.  The site is not very nice, just adequate and somewhat exposed to wind and waves.  Fortunately, it is only light wind right now.  I may have to put up a guy if the winds increase.  

It is supposed to cloud up and maybe rain tonight, tomorrow, and Friday!  I hope they are off on that forecast.  So far most days have been nice at least for some periods.

Solar Battery Left Center - 2 Six Gallon Water Containers
It Took 3 For The Trip
(Click to Enlarge)

Time for some music and a glass of wine while I just kick back!  However, I didn’t relax very long before beginning to put together dinner.  Tasted great!  

Boat Number 7 = The Perfect and Complete Boat Package!
(Click to Enlarge)

I then had my evening desert and noticed the boat was swinging slightly so I put out a starboard guy to keep the NE breeze from pushing me around.  Thought about using up my collected firewood but I checked the fire pit and view and decided it wasn’t worth the trouble.  I will just used the fire ring and listened to some music. 

I kept getting colder, even with my down vest and the fire going!  I had to put my fleece vest down on the seat to keep my butt from getting cold.  The front was warm and everything else cold, including my arms! Finally I went in and got a heavier jacket but even that got too cool so I just shut down the fire and went inside. 

Sun just about down. I will read awhile and hit the sack.  Forecast shows possible strong south winds tomorrow eve so I will move across to the south side of this arm in the morning after breakfast.  Prefer to be on that side if gusts will get high (gusts to 25 mph).

Day 12 - September 18

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Temagami Houseboat Trip - 2018


Little Island to Cross Bay 

(Morning Windy, Cloudy, and Cold. Wind Moderated Late Morning, Calm by Evening)

Leg 8 - Day 12
(About 6 miles) (Click to enlarge)

The last thought before nodding off last night was hope for a restful night of sleep.  The anticipation was positive, but it just didn’t happen!  Storm rains went through about midnight and the wind switched, as I hoped it wouldn't!  I didn’t catch it right away, but soon the boat was pounding incessantly on the rocks, so I got up to check conditions.  Sure enough, the night was black as pitch and now the guy line desperately needed to be moved to the port side with a strong wind blowing from the north. 

I didn’t really have any idea why the boat was pounding.  I had difficulty figuring that out in the dark of the night, since I assumed I would be fairly well protected from north winds and waves?  It seemed like I must be getting some reflection of the waves off the shore of the mainland pushing the boat onto the rocks off the boat's bow causing it to pound away, the sound echoing through the hulls. It did not appear to be damaging anything, but it shook the whole boat, making me very uneasy!

I got the guy changed to the other side and checked all the other lines and re-tied each one to make sure they were tight.  I was concerned about the port bow line since it was chafing against a rock. Movement seemed minor so I decided to leave that line alone for now.

I tried to go back to sleep, but it was to no avail!  The pounding shook the boat and seemed worse than it actually was since it echoed badly through the hulls.  At 4:30 am I just couldn’t take the sound and motion anymore, so I got dressed and went out to check all the lines again. All seemed okay except the line that was chafing.  So I dug out my Gorilla Duct Tape and went to work making a chafing sleeve wrapping the line in the place it was chafing on the rocks.  A bit of a challenge since the boat was moving and I did not want to get my hand pinched between the line and the rock.  I used several short chunks of tape to wrap it.  I think it will hold until daylight when I can see what is going on. 

Not much I can do right now!  It has started to drizzle, which will make departure interesting between the wind and the rain! 

Made some hot chocolate accompanied by chocolate covered almonds to warm me up and lift my spirits.  It was too early for coffee and cookies!  I didn’t want to use the lights too much since I draw on the battery a lot when recharging equipment batteries, so I cranked up my Coleman lantern.  Outside temps have dropped so I turned the heat on to warm things up a bit and take the chill out of the air.  

The pounding did not make for the normal relaxing morning study time, nevertheless, I had nothing else to do but wait the storm out!  I warmed up some coffee cake, baked the other day, and had coffee with that. Half way through the study it was light enough for me to evaluate my situation a little better.  I may be stuck here all day with these strong winds (25+ mph)!

I decided that two things may help the movement and noise.  The guy line is three strand poly and has too much elasticity, which makes it act like a rubber band.  When the boat is tensioned by the wind or waves, the guy springs the boat back, causing it to impact the rocks resulting in the hull noise and further chaffing of the bow lines.

Secondarily, I felt if I let out some line and adjusted the line angles a bit I could perhaps back the boat off the rocks further but still get back aboard.  The combination worked measurably better!  I may actually be able to rest later today, if stuck here! I got almost no sleep last night.

After my study, I made breakfast, toast, peanut butter, and cereal.  Cleaned up and did some more tweaking of the lines trying to get the boat to be even quieter.  I succeeded and observed improvement.  The bows still hit the rocks from time to time but less often and I didn’t have the sling shot affect any more!

The other lines are also three strand but heavier (1/2”) and could be a combination of materials, since they don’t appear to be all poly, perhaps a combination of nylon and poly.  If the wind drops I will still move, but for now, I am just twiddling my thumbs trying to stay warm.  Hard to believe I was swimming yesterday. The heat is on today!  

10:45 AM but still a pretty strong wind, yet it seems to be weakening a bit.  We’ll see what happens?

Sat in my chair and read my novel to pass the time hoping the wind would go down. I would read a chapter and then go up on the top of the island to check to see if conditions had changed.  The wind appears to be dropping, but slowly, so I’ll read another chapter and check again.

Sure enough, the wind is down enough I should be able to make progress against the wind.  I will be going directly into it!  It is more NE than North.  

I finally got off around 11 am and headed initially to my old site on the south end of Portage Bay, but changed my mind after looking at my remaining schedule and the plan to hike High Rock Trail tomorrow.

East Cross Bay - A Cloudy And Cool Fall Day
(Click to enlarge)

Arrived at the site on the east end of Cross Bay and was secured by 1 PM.  I made a quick lunch of crackers, cheese, apples, and nuts with wine to hold me until dinner.  I then moved the kayak ashore where it would be easier to dump the rain water it collected during the storm.  I thought I might go kayaking later in the eve and wanted to dry it out.

I went back to the boat, closed up the shades, and hit the sack!  Slept soundly for about 1.5 hours!  Got up and felt much better.  Still cloudy and cold.  Boat is buttoned up tight, but no heat on.  Began to work on dinner: pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, and a beer in a frozen mug.  Brought my own beer mug along to stick in the freezer.  It gives it that little extra chill!  

I decided that with the current cool weather, clouds in the sky, and some breeze I would not use kayak, so I put the cockpit cover on, because there is a chance of rain again over the next couple of days.  

Then I took a hot shower.  It took surprisingly long to get the water to warm with the colder water in the bucket and the colder air temperature! Felt good after such a rough night!

Quiet Evening But Chill In The Air!
(Click to enlarge)

After I cleaned up I sat in my chair inside, listened to music, and had my evening desert.  I was just going to stay inside and read, but then decided I would go out and set by the fire ring on the fore deck for awhile and listen to music, which I did.  However, it got chilly very fast and with the gray sky and limited view I decided to go back inside and finish this log for the day. 

I hit the sack early and will try to get an earlier start tomorrow, since I want to hike High Rock and still get to my last boat site for the final sprint.  I will go a day early to ensure I get the boat site I want this time around!  It was occupied on the outbound leg.  (Idea was great, but it proved to not work out!)  

Looking west, the sun is trying to peek through the clouds but the sky is a generally gray and temperatures are typical of a cool fall day!  Will close this log out and the day soon after!

Day 11 - September 17

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Temagami Houseboat Trip - 2018

Location: Little Island - Kabekwabika Island Group - Layover Today
(Some clouds and fog, but broke early, sunny most of the day, warm, up to 80 F)

Did not sleep well last night.  Woke up and stared out the windows at the stars but had a hard time getting back to sleep. So I got up early and went through the normal morning routine, Bible study, prayer, and reading while I had coffee and cookies.  

Later, I made a sausage and cheese omelet, toast and raspberry jam, with OJ. Cleaned up afterward.  Adjusted the solar panel for the solar generator.  Trying to charge it up after  recharging five drone batteries from flights yesterday. With the bright sun it won’t take long. Afterward I added fuel to the main tank of the boat, since the main was getting down to about a ¼ full.  Wanted to be ahead of that.  Should not need the last spare tank given the distances remaining.

On north side there was a nice place with shade to read lakeside
(click to enlarge)

I decided to stay here today since the spot is so nice. I may take a couple more experimental photo flights with the drone and will have another fire tonight.  Most of the day will just be relaxing, maybe a swim sometime, and bringing this log up to date.  A little house cleaning may be in order too.  I need to sweep the floor and the head was beginning to smell!  There is a little breeze today and it is on my starboard beam from the SW.  I hope it is not strong enough in the gusts to break my guy line.  It is pretty light weight (3/8” poly) and the boat has a lot of mass.

Comfortable reading with a great view!
(click to enlarge)

I ended up cleaning the head, sweeping and mopping the floor, and shaking out the rugs.  So pretty much a complete house cleaning.  Looks and smells better! After all the work I went for a swim to cool off. Then went up to read my book.  Found some neat natural baths in the rocks, took some pics but decided not to use the baths.

Around 2 pm I got a little hungry so I made a cheese and cracker snack. Then went back out to read some more.  Took a few pics of the natural baths and found some shade for reading.  The ants were bad though and kept getting into everything.

 A natural bath was formed in the shore side rock. 
(see Day 10 drone video for aerial view)
(click to enlarge)

After finishing my one novel I started on another, John Grisham’s “The Broker”, so far looks better than the previous novel, which was too intricate and far fetched for me.  I’ve finished one paperback  novel and also one audio book so far, now I'm am on my second of both.  Audio books work great to pass the time while underway.

Went down to get dinner ready, not really appropriate for the day, since it is about 80 F!  But, I have chili, fresh baked corn bread muffins, and a cold beer on the menu.  So I set up my stove and oven rig and got everything mixed up and went to work baking.  Ended up to be a great dinner!  Afterward it was dishes and another jump in the lake to cool off and clean up for the evening.  

Once finished with chores it was back up to the hill to fly the drone for three flights taking some shots of a tree, mostly experimental (incorporated into the Day 10-Drone Video).  Then I started a fire, listened to music, and had my evening desert of wine and chocolate covered almonds.  

Storm clouds off to the north are building with lightening flashing from time to time, so possible rain tonight, which was in the forecast.

Enjoying the evening wood fire. Storm clouds building!
(click to enlarge)

Made the precaution earlier of sending the throwing line ashore before dark in case of a wind switch, which the weather channel said may go north later on.  That would mean a shift of the guy support line to the port side and I don’t like throwing that line at night!  It is a rubber ball but should be a proper "monkey fist" that does not bounce. More often than not it bounces right back into the water, which is not what you want a throwing line to do! 

I took a couple of throws and every time it went ashore and just bounced back into the lake! I finally gave up and went ashore to fish it out with my walking stick. Now if I have to switch sides it is quite easy to send the line ashore with my pre-thrown sending line.  Hopefully a switch will not be needed during the dark of night? (Note: It was!)

Will be moving tomorrow, weather permitting. Hopefully I sleep better tonight, in spite of the possible storm.  (Note: A restful night was not to be!)

Day 10 - September 16

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Temagami Houseboat Trip - 2018

Today: Foggy, Low Clouds - Later Sunny, Warm.

Leg 7 - Day 10
East Arm Cross Lake to West Side of Lake Temagami
(16 miles) (Click to Enlarge)

The day started at 3 am! It sounded like possible rain and there was a heavy mist and the wind had switched to the east.  Reluctantly, I got up to switch the stern guy line from the starboard to port side given the wind change.  I was afraid the wind would build and it would get worse. Better to fix it now and prevent worse problems later!  

After I finished, I read a chapter in my book to try to bet back to sleep, but it was not easy. I slept uneasily the rest of the night.  Got up to a dreary foggy morning.  After study, reading, and breakfast it was almost 10:30 AM before I got away from shore.

Loons loved the early morning fog.
(Click to Enlarge)

Then it seemed like the great houseboat migration! I saw 3 of 4 houseboats from the party I spotted yesterday leave ahead of me, going the same direction.  I followed them then another boat came behind me.  We worked our way out through the narrow channels into the main lake.  

An alternative to Leisure Island Houseboats with a roof top deck. Inbound to Cross Lake.
(Click to Enlarge)

Video: Channel from Cross Lake to Lake Temagami

My goal was one of two sites on the S.E. side of the South Arm of Temagami.  The last boat followed me all the way so I thought he may be trying to beat me to the site since he was slightly faster.  However, it was a false alarm, since he was taking the boat back to its island base nearby. 

A lighted marker for night and day navigation.  I would not recommend night
travel for any visitor to this area.  Too many rocks and reefs!
(Click to Enlarge)

In the end it did not matter!  Both boat sites in this area were a no go, the first was too shallow, the second too bushy and I just could not approach close enough to drop the gang plank.  Two down maybe three times is a charm? 

I'm listening to my second audio book of the trip (Brad Thor’s, Full Black).  Keeps my mind off the failure of finding a satisfactory place to roost for the night!

I headed NW toward an island group that on the lake map indicated a camp site on the west shore bay, however, on Jeff’s maps there was no such site shown.  So, which is it?  While I struck out!  Got there and there was nothing to be found.  So I turned around a third time and by now it is 2:30 pm and I am hungry, so I make myself a snack underway and decide to head to my Portage Bay site that I know is good. 

However, after working through the island group (near Kabekwabika Island) I observed a site off to the west on an island that Jeff’s maps describes as a “very” small site!  I figure, why not, try one more time, it was not far off the track. I get there, and it is a good site, steep enough I don’t need to use the gangway plank and can just step ashore.  As Jeff's Maps described, it is a very small island indeed!  

This is pretty much it!  Looking SE. Very small island with little space for camping.
(Click to Enlarge)

Looking the opposite direction to the NW. 
(Click to Enlarge)

Previous visitors left some firewood so with what I had on board, and the extra here, I plan to have a real fire later on. It was warm, and I felt sticky so I put on my suit and jumped in for a quick swim. I feel much better after the swim!

Tonight will be my first wood fire of the trip.
(Click to Enlarge)

Afterward, I took the drone kit up the hill, along with my chair, and made several flights around the island.  I really have to work with the proper lens filter due to the stark contrast with the sun shining off a lot of objects and over exposing them. It will take some time, but I will get better!  No issues with the flights once I figured out I had left the controller in “Sport Mode” from the flights back at the Cross Lake Dam, which disallows use of the “Intelligent Flight Modes” I was trying to use!

Video: Drone footage of the "Little Island" in west Lake Temagami

After flying for almost an hour, I put the potato on the grill to bake.  Steak tonight with potato, coleslaw, roll and red wine.  Should be great! Water temp is fine and I will likely go again later, like last night. Feels good to get into bed after a quick swim especially when it is this warm.  Close to 80 today.

No gangway necessary, but when a storm hit this proved to be a real problem!
(Click to Enlarge)

After a great grilled tenderloin steak, I washed dishes and went up to get a fire going.  I wanted to get some coals established before it got late.  Then I went back to take a shower instead of a swim since I hadn’t taken a shower in a couple days.  Had to set up the shelter and get the hot water heater rig going, but it did not take long. I felt much better after.  A good shampoo and soaping up was needed!  

Geese heading out with the incoming storm front.
(Click to Enlarge)

I put together my fireside kit, BT speakers, binoculars, camera, gimbal, phone, tripod, wine, and chocolates, put them all in a bag and went ashore.  Stoked the fire, took some motion lapses with the tripod and gimbal, and a few camera shots as well.

Video: Around the fire on Little Island - West Lake Temagami shore

Just a great balmy evening with a half moon in the sky and a very open site to see the stars.  Listened to John Gorka Pandora Channel on my mini BT speakers and stoked the fire until the moon set and nothing but coals were left.  Plenty of wood for another fire!

Day 9 - September 15

Sunny and Warm

Leg 6 - Day 9 Dam to East Arm of Cross Lake
(7 miles)(click to enlarge)

Normal routine for morning. After breakfast, I retrieved the fire ring and propane tank and stowed them aboard. Then I put together a kit for launching the drone from floats and the kayak near the dam.  The intent was to fly down over the dam and beyond to get pictures of the gorge and the dam itself. I made two successful flights and decided that was enough (see below).

Drone Overflight of Cross Lake Dam Area

So I headed back to the boat to load up and get ready to depart. I was underway about a hour later than usual (11 am). My goal was to return to the north end of Cross Lake.

 In Channel Heading North From Cross Lake Dam

As I entered the main part of Cross Lake I saw one fishing boat, than another pulled into a camp site to fix lunch, as it appeared.  I don’t think they intended to stay, just a shore side fish lunch I’m guessing?  

As I went along, I spotted on the north end of Cross Lake at least a couple of larger houseboats.  I was not sure of their location, but multiple boats was not a good sign!  I continued on and as I went by the island I previously had observed two houseboats, I noticed a stack of firewood was left behind.  I decided to pull in and pick up enough for a camp fire.  I just tied up long enough to get the wood and did not shut the engine down.

After loading some firewood I backed out and headed north, but I soon saw a heart breaking sight. At least four large houseboats all at one spot in the northwestern arm, where I had intended to go!  All one wants is a big party in the wilderness, does wonders for the mindset!  

So, I immediately decided against proceeding by the houseboats to my originally intended site just to the north of them. I figured nothing in that arm was safe with that many folks!  Instead I side stepped and went back into the east arm to the previous island camp site I used before.  It was a very nice site and no one appeared to be in that corner of the lake.  I landed on the north side of the island this time since it was calm.

Making a houseboat landing in the east arm of Cross Lake 

East Arm of Cross Lake, Island Boat Site
(click to enlarge)

After tying up and getting settled I put together a snack of crackers, cheese, nuts, and white wine for an afternoon treat.  It was about 2 pm. I then went ashore and sat in my chair and read from my book for awhile.  

Later, I decided it was a good day to take a swim.  So I returned to the boat and put on my suit lowered the swim ladder and jumped in.  It was surprisingly comfortable, so I swam around under the boat adjusting some cables from dragging too low and finally climbed out.  Very pleasant!

Calm wind conditions so landed on north side of island this time.
(click to enlarge)

Now I am writing up this log.  Tonight is grilled salmon, potato salad, coleslaw, grilled roll, and white wine.  Not sure I will have a fire here, may wait until later for that? Still calm and warm out, a very beautiful day!  The Lord has truly blessed me with great fall weather on this trip.

Motion Time Lapse - Relaxing on an Island Boat Site

This afternoon I spent a lot of time just reading ashore in my chair and just looking out at the calm lake from my perch on top of the island.  Just a fantastic day, but a bit warm. 

Decided I was hungry again, so I made dinner and afterward went back up to read some more.  Also, did some motion lapse shots with the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 phone gimbal and finally went to clean up and wash dishes before it got too late. 

Grilled Salmon, Coleslaw, Grilled Ciabatta, & White Wine
(Would have been nice to have fresh fish, but license was too expensive!)
(click to enlarge)

After clean up I again went back up to read and enjoy my usual evening libation with chocolates.  Took a few camera shots of the sunset and then set up the fire ring and gimbal to do some evening motion lapse shots of the sunset with the fire ring burning.  

At an island houseboat site enjoying the fire ring at sunset on Cross Lake 

It was too warm to keep the fire ring going so I turned it off and just watched the moon and stars come out while listening to John Gorka Pandora channel downloaded before I made the trip.

The end of a very fine day!
(click to enlarge)

Still warm so I decided to take a quick skinny dip under the moonlight while the tunes were playing on my BT speaker system.  Very refreshing and not cold at all!  

Very peaceful evening!
(click to enlarge)

Now finishing up my log entries for the day.  I feel very refreshed and ready for a good sleep!  Will read in bed a bit before I nod off.  Around 9 pm now.  It has been a great day and a great trip so far!

Day 8 - September 14

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Layover at Dam Boat Site (partly cloudy, and very warm)

Dam boat site back to east arm island site.
(8 miles) (click to enlarge) 

Slept in until sunrise today because I woke up in the night and had to read a chapter of my book to get back to sleep.  Not sure what that was about?  Probably because it was warmer than usual even at night with all windows open!

I planned to make cookies this morning and I tried to use the stove top oven on the house stove, I think that was a mistake?  It just does not cook like my camp stove.  It is difficult to adjust the flame.  The result was the cookies were not cooked well enough so though I did not toss them I switched to my pecan Sandies.  (Note: I later discovered I made a double batch without realizing it!) 

Stove Top Oven On House Stove
(click to enlarge) 

Cookies look good, but heavy as bricks! Due to an inadvertent double mix!
(click to enlarge)

After study and reading I had toast and cereal, then put together all my gear for the paddle to the short portage into Torrum Lake.  After getting loaded, I headed along the channel about a half mile to where it was supposed to be located.  I did not see it when I went past in the houseboat, though I did look for it.  However, in the kayak I got a closer look and found it pretty quick. The landing was reasonable. 

Portaged the kayak into Torrum Lake from the Cross Lake Channel above the Dam

The portage in was short and the trail good so I took the kayak across and paddled around the lake hoping to see a moose, or some other kind of wildlife, but saw nothing!  On the way back I set up the drone with floats and made several flights on the smaller lake, until my video memory hit a wall again.  I only planned three flights anyway, so I headed back to the portage. 

I took the kayak across, but came back to do some gimbal shots of the trail and the stream that flows out of Torrum Lake into the channel. After loading up the kayak I headed back.  The breeze was up so it was a little more work paddling against the wind.  I decided to push on past the boat to take a closer look at the dam area since I could hear the fall of water from the dam last night.  It was just around the corner so I checked it out to see how I could do some drone flights of the dam and the area just below in the morning before departure.  I will do the flights from the kayak with the drone on floats.

Drone Overflight While Kayaking On Remote Torrum Lake

As I got back to the boat, a power boat came by at high speed, what other speed do they go!  Of course rocking and rolling everything in the site.  I thought a few words that were less than kind!  

Looking NW from boat site, right over the unseen reef I hit!
(click to enlarge)

I took a break once back aboard and had some crackers, cheese, apples, and nuts with white wine. Then went ashore and sat in my chair overlooking the water and read a couple chapters of my book.

While relaxing ashore I noticed this tree growing out of the rock!
(click to enlarge)

There is a narrow crack but it hardly seems enough room to grow in!
(click to enlarge)

It was getting to be mid-afternoon so I returned to the boat to get dinner ready.  Grilled chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, warm ciabatta roll, with white wine.  It was a great dinner!  Did the dishes and put everything away and headed back ashore to read some more from my perch overlooking the water.

After a couple chapters I returned to the boat once again to take a shower, since I worked up a sweat today!  It was quite warm, mid-to high 70’s, I would guess.  I felt much better after my shower.  After dinner, I headed back ashore to read and have my desert of red wine and chocolate covered almonds.

Shower gear ready to go!
(click to enlarge)

Finally returned to the boat to put shower stuff away and hauled the fire ring ashore.  Figured after transferring some video to the PC and completing this diary I would go ashore and enjoy the fire and the moon set, then hit the sack.  My goal tomorrow is to do some video of the dam in the morning then head out to another part of Cross Lake, or beyond?