Day 3 - September 9th

Day 3 - Leg 3 (click to enlarge pics)

Backtracked on Portage Bay, then LakeTemagami to Cross Lake

(Distance 7.5 miles)

I tried to bake some cookies for early morning coffee and Bible study time.  It was a bust!  Burned to a crisp! That’s what happens when you get out of practice!  I forgot the heat distribution plate from the bottom of the oven pan.  Critical! Without the plate the cookies were directly exposed to heat, like putting them in a frying pan!  Oh well, I had backup Pecan Sandies for that purpose, so threw away the cookies and moved on.

After study and some reading I made breakfast.  Blueberry pancakes and sausage with OJ.  I was using a new fry pan and as usual it takes a while to get the correct heat setting.  Worked so-so, not my best pancakes!  Will try to do better next time. 

By the time I was finished, pulled in the lines and backed away it was 10 am. Usual departure time for me. I try to travel about 3-5 hours, 5-7 miles a day, give or take. Then skip a day.  I had contemplated staying at this location because it was quiet and off the beaten track but the goal of Cross Lake I could not shake!  The boat wanted to stay though!  I could not get it off the beach!  I used a paddle to try to help, but that was counterproductive since I put my weight on the bow, not the right location.  So, I just used the motor to work it back and forth and eventually got off. I motored out slowly since the area was full of rocks and reefs.

My next problem was to get out of Portage Bay!  There was a narrow channel to the NW I hoped had adequate depth, but no guarantees!  However, once I got there it was clear I could likely get through, even if it was shallow and narrow. So, I escaped my trap and headed down lake, lots of fishing boats passing me by. 

I set up the solar panel on my little folding table on the bow, so I could charge up the solar power battery which I use to recharge my drone and laptop batteries.  Worked great since I was heading into the sun. Got it recharged by the time I headed back north

Saw three other houseboats in Cross Lake, two together on one site as I worked my way north. I was hoping my remote site would be open.  It looked ideal for kayaking with lots of nooks and crannies and a short portage into a more interior lake.  Turns out it was open! However, there was an unmarked site within sight that someone could come and take, not desirable.  I do not like boat sites within sight of each other.

Boat Site - North Central Cross Lake

Boat Site Walk Through

Very nice boat site! After I got tied up I took the fire ring ashore for later on.  Flew the drone some more without the floats and performance was better.  However, I could not get some of the intelligent functions to work finally gave up and decided to try later.  

Went to do dishes, I do those in the afternoon before or after dinner which is early each day since I do not eat lunch.  Although I did snack a little. I took some cheese, crackers, nuts, and wine ashore and took a break just enjoying the day and the scenery.  Later I started the grill.  Tonight it will be steak, baked potato, coleslaw, and red wine.  Afterward I will try to fly the drone again.  

40 Watt Solar Panel - Charging Solar Storage Battery Underway 
Fire Ring on Ceramic Tile to Protect Deck

Solar Storage Battery Pack & Drone Battery Charging Station 
(w/3 battery slots. solar battery pack is a KaliPAK 401 - 348 watt capacity. 2 standard 12 vdc and 4 USB 5 vdc outputs)

Home Made Kayak Tow Rig
(PVC pipe with rope running through, pipe insulation for flotation, locking snaps for all connections) 

BT Stereo Speaker in Window (1 of 2)
(Connected to phone with downloaded Pandora stations since there is no internet)

Drone Landing Pad, DJI Spark Drone Mounted on Floats w/ Controller

Greater success with the drone!  Did some pics with the standard camera and also with my DJI Osmo Mobile 2 gimbal phone arrangement.  Played with some motion lapse pics.  Have to experiment to see what works best?  Sat around the fire ring but I just don’t have the energy to stay up.  

I did manage to read a little from a novel in bed but I get sleepy very fast. I’ve been sleeping soundly at night except the bed is a little to firm, so I roll over more often.  I don’t have heat on at night but do need it in the morning.  Cool nights!

Drone Overflight of Boat Site Area

Facing South - Kayak Launch Site

Fire Ring Used Ashore In Lieu of Wood Fire