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

NOTE: 

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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?

Day 7 - September 13

Sunny and Warm

Leg 5 - Day 7
Island in East Arm of Cross Lake to Dam Boat Site
( 3.7 miles)  (click to enlarge)

Got up at first light and had a glass of OJ with my daily meds. Made coffee. While waiting I set up the solar panel to generate as soon as the sun came up.  Went back to my Bible study and coffee and was reading when I heard something go clunk on the fire ring. Thought at first it was just some expanding metal as the sun heated it up.  But I decided to go check. I could not see anything obvious and decided to adjust the solar panel on the roof when something hit me on the back and another hit on deck.  I saw a cone and looked up expecting to see squirrels throwing them at me from above as I've seen on the TV insurance ad!  No squirrels but the tree was definitely throwing them!  

Went back inside to my study and prayer time and read a bit out of the book I purchased for my neighbor called “Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men” by Ross, Samples, and Clark.  Very interesting! 

Early morning, "sea smoke" forming over the warm water in the cool air.
(click to enlarge)

I plan to move again today, not much reason, just because I can!

Had breakfast, blueberry pancakes, sausage, and OJ. Cleaned up and started getting ready to move.  Went up to the top of the hill to check things out and thought about the move...hesitated, but decided to go.  So I pulled the lines and tried to back out, but no go. I was stuck fast!  After much maneuvering and shifting my weight aft I finally broke loose.  Beautiful sunny clear day, light breeze.

Saw one fishing boat and the same two houseboats on an island in the south part of Cross Lake previously observed.  I spotted them when I first came into Cross lake.  Must not have moved?  Anyway, I headed south to the dam area and perused some sites en route for future consideration.  It narrows considerably as you get close to the dam and outlet of the lake. More like a river in places.  

I finally arrived at the boat site around 12:30 pm and was glassing the approach carefully trying to figure out the best place to land and tie up when all of a sudden the boat lifted up on one side and ground to a halt!  I was aground in the middle of the river and there was nothing showing on the chart!  Fortunately, I was not too hard aground and with some maneuvering was able to get off the spot but in the process the activity pulled up a large tree branch from the bottom!  I later took some video of this spot (see video below).  It should be on the marine chart (Navionics), but it is not!  Got tied up okay but did need a stern line to keep the boat straight due to a cross wind.

Boat Site Near The Dam
(click to enlarge)

After I got settled I went ashore with some cashews and a glass of white wine and my book to sit in my chair and read.  A red squirrel came down to chew me out scolding me soundly because I had no food to give him! Likely he was used to being spoiled with food regularly.  He scampered around all afternoon trying to beg some grub, but I did not cooperate.

Squirrel scolded me soundly for not providing grub while I sat and enjoyed the site.
(click to enlarge)

Got the solar battery charged up fully before arrival so everything is charged.  After I read awhile I decided to try to fly the drone and get some pics.  Unfortunately, there was no clearing open enough to go up straight which means I had no way in an emergency to return home and land without crashing through the trees!  

I determined to fly out through the trees and not let the battery get any lower than 40 percent before returning.  Even with that I had a few close calls and bounced it off a tree coming ashore.  I think the key is to turn off collision avoidance since it did not like flying between the trees and got real squirrely (sorry for the pun!) when I tried to fly through them.

These were the trees I was trying to fly the drone through to get over the water.
(click to enlarge)

Drone Overflight of Boat Site Area & Kayaking

I read some more, then went to make dinner.  Tonight it's burgers, chips, and a cold beer.  Wine and chocolates later for desert.  After dishes it calmed down a little so I decided to put the floats on the drone and go out in the kayak to try some more tracking shots.  It was successful with a few wrenches thrown in!  

First I discovered the hard way that the dynamic home point (moves with you) only works in the active track mode and not in other modes!  It was heading back toward the boat, so I had to paddle back to get retrieve the drone when it did not follow me!  No big deal but I did not expect that.  This happened every time, so I must not be doing something right?  I did get some shots but discovered I need to use lens filters more or perhaps set a fixed aperture/shutter speed for the reflective light of the setting sun shining off the kayak. More to learn!

All this running around and the warm temps today, in the 70’s, I worked up a light sweat so decided to shower, even though I showered last night. I figured why not, that’s why I have it and it always feels good after a nice hot shower.  

After cleaning up and putting everything away I went up to read some more but the mosquitoes began harassing me so I came back inside to transfer pics from the drone and my camera to the laptop.  I ran out of memory a couple times before so I have to be diligent about that. I still can’t figure out how to transfer pics from my phone to the PC.  I did it at home but it does not show up on the PC when I connect now? Either the cable is specific or I have to set something I'm missing in the phone. Currently I just transfer stuff from internal memory to the SD card in the phone. Hopefully, that will hold me until I get home?

An evening of peaceful solitude
(click to enlarge)

Time to go to bed, it is just before 9 pm.  I have everything charging up for tomorrow when I hope to try a portage into a small lake nearby.  I will stick to this spot one more day.

Day 6 - September 12th

Began cloudy, went partly cloudy, finally sunny and warm day.  Very pleasant!

Leg 4 - Day 6
North Central Cross Lake to East Arm of Cross Lake
(6 miles, 1.5 hours)  (click to enlarge)

Warmed up some coffee cake to have with coffee during my Bible study, prayer time, and reading. Afterward I had peanut butter on toast with some cereal.  I got ready to move by bringing back aboard the fire ring and propane bottle, then I paddled the kayak over from where it was pulled up on the SW shore around the point. Hooked up the tow bars. Got the tablet ready to navigate and then went out to pull in the lines and gang plank.  Backed away at about 10 am, which is normal. 

Kayak tracks well with tow rig
(click to enlarge)

Commentary While Heading Southwest Through Channel

I headed out a different way on my way back down lake just to check out a site to the NE of me. Could see it but could not tell whether it was a good one or not?  Too far away.  I kept moving and put out the solar panel on the fore deck since the sun was making attempts to be seen.  Saw some boat campers on the south end of this part of the lake.  I nice site on an island. 

Keeping the solar panel lined up with the sun
(click to enlarge)

Steering Station & Equipment
(click to enlarge)

I did some video of the narrow passage out to the main lake (see video above) and observed another houseboat ahead departing the lake.  A close but different design.  It had a deck on top and seemed to have production pontoons of some kind.  Took a pic but not sure if it will be clear enough since it was a half mile away.

Competing Houseboat Company
Has roof top deck with table-nice!
(click to enlarge)

I rounded the corner of the peninsula I was adjacent to and ran by a fishing boat as I headed NE up into another bay for the night.  My plan was to head to the end of this bay since it would be out of any traffic that might exist.  However, as I approached the site I found it not well used and could not approach close enough to get the gang plank to reach, too shallow!  So I turned around and headed back to an island site I passed coming in.  It looked good as I went by. 

First Boat Landing A No Go!

Island Site - Second Effort And More Successful!

Backup Island Boat Site-East Arm Cross Lake
(click to enlarge)

Walk Through of Island Boat Site - East Arm of Cross Lake

I ended up using the island site but the wind was brisk out of the SW so I had to put out a stern guy line to keep the boat from coming around sideways.  I had a heck of a time getting the throwing line to shore when throwing from the port stern.  Very awkward to throw from that side unless you are left handed, but I made it!

After I got settled in I went up on top of the island with a glass of wine and my chair and just enjoyed the warm breeze coming through the site.  Read a chapter out of my novel and then headed back to the boat to get ready for dinner.  I was supposed to make some Italian bread sticks and they have to rise for 45 minutes so I thought I would get those ready.  After much work I got them prepared and began to make dinner of spaghetti, coleslaw, bread sticks, and wine.

While the bread sticks were a failure!  They did not rise enough so I think the yeast might not have been good or I may have put in too much water?  The water was supposed to be warm but it was cool and was evidently not warm enough.  I threw them out and buttered and fried a ciabatta roll instead.  Good dinner in spite of the failure with the bread sticks!

After dinner I did dishes and then went up to sit again for awhile and read, hoping the breeze would die down some so I could fly the drone.  After an reading a bit I returned to the boat to take a shower.  Due to the warmer day, the water heated up almost too fast compared to the last time and was pretty hot!  Felt good though to be refreshed with a shower and clean clothes.

Finally got to fly! This is a drone overflight of this boat site area.

Afterward I went back up to sit on the hill to enjoy the beautiful view and read another chapter of my book and my post dinner desert of wine and chocolate almonds.  The wind dropped enough so I retrieved the drone and made three flights, all went well. Got some good shots

Then I put everything on chargers and went back to sitting in my chair up on the hill and read another chapter as the sun was setting.  Still warm but cooling off with the sunset (below).

Serene Sunset View From Island
(click to enlarge)

The solar battery got charged up today so I had enough sun for that, but I also found that two of my batteries from yesterday’s flights did not get charged!  Not sure what happened there?  So, I have a deficit on battery power again.  Hopefully some sun tomorrow will put things back on track?

Getting dark at 8 pm so I will hit the sack soon.  Although it may be warm enough to go sit and watch the stars tonight.

Beautiful Evening, No Bugs, Warm, Moon Shining Off The Water
(click to enlarge)

Actually, I did go out and sit for awhile and then came back for my camera and tripod to take some pictures of the moon shining on the water (above).  A sliver of moon setting in the west was beautiful as it shown on the water. Took multiple pics and finally went back to the boat when it got too dark. Read a another chapter in my book and hit the sack.

Day 5 - September 11th

A REMINDER

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Willis Lake Kayak Trip Today
(3.2 miles round trip by water, portage trail 440 yards round trip not in a maintained condition)

Cloudy, calm, and warmer today.  Got up early at first light and got some coffee on. Coffee and cookies for my study time. 

Side Window View While I'm Drinking Coffee During Study Time

Great Views From Inside the Boat All Around!

Dinette - Doubles As A Second Bed
(Laptop on right for writing text for blog, propane lantern used to minimize use of ship's battery at night, red drone on left)

I finished up my reading and made breakfast. Today a sausage and cheese omelet with extra sausage, accompanied by toast and raspberry jam, and OJ (see below). Cleaned up after and got everything packed for the kayak trip up to Willis Lake.  Hope to do some drone flying today!

Today's Breakfast.  I Eat Well!

I’m getting older or just not as nimble anymore and getting in and out of the kayak without getting wet is a real trick! I made it, but my heart was beating fast every time today!  I did not get wet or dump any gear thankfully!  The clouds persist but very little breeze, so it is still pleasant.  The trip up to Willis was very nice but no wildlife in sight! 

Great Kayaking In This Area of Cross Lake

The portage was in poor condition (see link below), so I walked it first with my pack loaded with drone stuff.  I figured I would come back for the kayak if the portage was passable. It really wasn't, so I set up the drone on Willis and took several flights.  

Video:  Portage Trail Between Willis And Cross Lakes

               Video:  Drone Overflight of Willis Lake - Reached By Portage Only          

          NOTE: The above video is the reason this post is delayed. It was a far more complicated project than anticipated                                        with numerous problems. Less than 4 minutes of video but took about 15 hours of work!

I forgot the gear extensions so I landed the drone in my hand at the end of each flight, since the surface was a little uneven. That worked fine. Took some shots along the creek with the gimbal and phone as I walked back (see video below).

Video: Small Stream Between Willis and Cross Lakes

Got off on the return trip without mishap and spotted an otter eating what looked like a clam, but he just would not stay put for a photo!  He came up twice, but no go!  No other critters and no moose.  Though I did see the same fishermen as yesterday across the pond as I worked my way back.  They scooted away and were soon out of sight. 

Video:  Kayaking Back to Boat Site - North Cross Lake

On return I set up the solar generator to charge up all the drone batteries and restore the solar battery too.  I was able to get the solar storage battery up from 64% to 85% with the afternoon sun plus I recharged the drone batteries.

Washed dishes and made dinner.  BBQ pulled pork, BBQ beans, coleslaw, hot ciabatta roll, and a cold beer.  The usual for desert.  Afterward I loaded up my drone with float gear and went out to try and get some more shots of me in the kayak with the drone tracking me.

I made a couple flights and found out one battery is defunct because it says the firmware is not current!  I know I checked them all before I left, but it looks like I have one battery out for the duration. (later it worked!)  

Thankfully I have five batteries!  I was able to get one short video (see Day 4) and then I got a warning that the video cache was full and I could no longer record video! Wow!  Sometimes things just do not go your way!  One good thing was that I did get two successful flights using the floats.  I just took off and landed from the water, since it was calm.  So some good, some bad!

I stowed everything back in the boat and may try again tomorrow.  I am having trouble moving files from my phone to the computer to free up memory but tonight I was able to move the video from the phone internal memory to the SD card memory, which should do the trick.  I have a large SD card in my Samsung S9+ phone (128 GB).  We’ll see next time I fly? 

It is clear tonight, so I will go out and enjoy the stars tonight before bed.  Tomorrow I plan to move, I guess.  I really like this spot and wouldn't mind staying another day, but there is more to do and see.

Day 4 - September 10th

Day 4 - Hanging Out on North Cross Lake, Exploring The Area By Kayak

Cool and somewhat cloudy today with occasional sun shining through. Left the heat on this morning pretty cool outside and supposed to rain in afternoon (40% chance) according to the VHF WX channel.  It’s been sunny and pleasant fall like weather the last couple of days, mostly sun but not hot.  Cool enough underway that I often have the windows closed.  Must be getting old!

Had success baking coffee cake today.  Excellent this time.  Learned the hard way!  After coffee, cake, study and reading. I got the kayak ready to go check and see if I can exit through the SW end of this little bay I’m in (see map above).  The Jeff's Maps indicates it is for canoes only, but I thought I would look myself.  

Exploring the Narrows - Too Shallow For Houseboat

Video: Kayaking Around The Area

Very pleasant kayaking. I went over to the adjacent arm to the west to see if there were any houseboats.  I saw no one!  Headed back taking a few pictures and exploring as I went.  Will wait until tomorrow to try the portage into Willis Lake, just to my north.  Jeff’s Maps indicate a 200 meter portage.  We’ll check the condition and then decide if I want to carry the kayak over?  I'm hoping to take along the drone and get some videos and pics.  My hope is to run into a moose on Willis.  So far I have not seen much wildlife.

Equipment I Took Along

A small fishing boat with a man and his wife went by. She caught a small walleye right off my stern. They took a swing around the area and left.

Transferred video and pics to the laptop and now I'm typing this log to bring it up to date.  Dinner tonight is chili, fresh baked corn bread, and a cold beer. Desert is the usual red wine and chocolates.  No rain yet, but cloudy and cool.  Very quiet here!

Specialty Baking Equipment

Second Baking Outcome of the Day!

Extras to Add Enjoyment and Function

I was due a shower, so I made some adjustments to use the enclosure since it is cool out. I had the heat on most of the day! Had to heat the water for awhile before it was warm enough. Felt good to have a hot shower and was less trouble this time with the enclosure.  Still needs some tie down tweaks to stay stable in a breeze.

Shower Equipment - For The Days I Didn't Want to Swim

Rain came late in afternoon but just light. Stayed cool so I hung out on-board and read my novel (Robert Ludlum's, The Aquitaine Progression). Listened to Pandora music and did the dishes. Made dinner and took a few motion lapse shots around the fire ring with the gimbal and my phone to experiment.  To bed early.

Very Warm and Comfortable Sleeping - Though Cushions Were A Bit Firm