Day 15 - September 21

Friday and the last leg up the East Arm of Temagami at the end of a two week trip. 

Hustling to beat storm winds by 11 am!  

(Cloudy, rainy, calm initially, breeze up on arrival)

Leg 11 - Day 15
(4.5 miles/1:40)

Woke up at 4 am with thunder, lighting, and rain.  Thankfully, the wind was not yet blowing as forecast, at this early hour.  I tried to get back to sleep and tossed and turned but finally just got up early.

Went through the normal routine, with the goal to depart by 7 am, around first light.  After my study time, I had a quick breakfast and organized the last few items that I could do ahead of time. I finally backed away from the site about 7:15 am. 

The wind was still not up, but there was a light rain from time to time.  I spotted one boat ahead of me entering the narrows just southwest of town.  So someone beat me out this morning! I guess someone else is watching the weather too!  

I projected I would arrive about 8:30 am, since I did not have that far to go.  My deadline was 11 am but with the forecast high winds (up to 55 mph!) there was no way I wanted to be out in the open with this underpowered rig with that kind of wind!

As I approached the narrows, Leisure Island started calling all boats to immediately come in and not wait, due to the storm winds on the way.  Some paid attention, some apparently did not!  I saw no other boats coming behind me as I entered the narrows on approach.

Turns out the boat that was ahead of me just got off the main lake before breakfast then stopped about a half mile away from base, at the closest boat site to have a quick breakfast, then come in.  They came in right after me, so I was first to arrive  

Arrival Leisure Island Houseboat Docks
(click to enlarge)

Another houseboat arrived after I was loaded and ready to depart.  But there were at least 4-6 boats still out!  I was fortunate that it did not rain on me while I loaded, and the winds were just a breeze with occasional gusts. The wind did not get cranked up until about an hour later.  As I was driving down the road they picked up and gave me all kinds of trouble driving.  

Second boat pulls in before wind storm hits. (click to enlarge)

I got soaked when I tried to get out of the car for lunch in Sudbury when a sudden thunder shower poured down rain.  All I had was about 100 yards to run but I was soaked by the time I got in the restaurant and I was even wearing a rain jacket!  My pants and shoes were water-logged!

After lunch the drive to the U.P. of Michigan was a strain because the wind was just beating the car and kayak to death.  I had to stop and tighten lines and at one point the wind ripped the cover off the kayak cockpit, meant to keep the rain out.  I've never had that happen even driving at 70 mph!  It would have been destroyed so I removed it completely.  

I was afraid at several points the gusts would just rip the kayak off the roof or blow me off the road!  Wind was as forecast.  I estimate they were at least 55 mph in gusts, at times.  I guess it was remnants of some tropical storm that was in the midst of blowing itself out?  Since I had no news for the past two weeks I did not know the history of the storm?

There was a long wait at the border, though no problems crossing. Quite the contrast from my crossing into Canada, which was the quickest I've ever had.  Two questions and see ya!  The fact that I had both a passport and a Nexus card probably helped, but he didn’t even ask me if I had liquor, which is almost automatic.  The return questions were maybe three or four and almost as quick.  There were just a lot more vehicles going into the U.S.

I was glad to reach my overnight stop in Newbury, MI at sunset.  I needed some rest after that rough windy drive!  The next day was calm and sunny so the return home went quickly and without incident.  It was a great trip overall.  May have to do it again!  Highly recommended!

Day 14 - September 20

North Side of NE Arm, Lake Temagami 

(high clouds, cool, calm)

Day 14 - September 20 
For Last Night Moved to South Shore Due to Forecast Winds
(click to enlarge)

Followed the morning routine, then I had blueberry pancakes and sausages for breakfast.  I had an excess amount of sausage left, so I may have a lunch today: corn muffin, sausages and OJ. Got all in order and headed out.  Checked out alternative sites along the way but I had my mind set on a small cove well protected from potential strong south winds in the night. This was near Caldwell Island.  

Roomy Galley Area, Generous Windows, Lots of Light
(click to enlarge)

Left about 10 am and arrived around 11 am but got in trouble before I tied up!  The entry to the cove was touch and go with a scattering of reefs on the way in, but I felt with my Navionics charts I should be okay.  I entered slowly and kept clear of charted reefs, however, the second one was not accurately charted, extending much further out than expected, and was close to the surface. I was going extra slow due to the potential risk, but the reef came up so fast I could not stop in time, so I just tried to keep the momentum going to spin me off to the port side.  No go!  I was stuck hard on the starboard pontoon.  I worked it around and around and seemed to be making some progress, but could not get off!

A Tale of Woe! The Track To My Demise!
(click to enlarge)

Drone video of uncharted reef near Caldwell Island entrance to boat site

(Compare with chart shown above)

A cabin was near by and I had spectators almost immediately!  It always happens like that!   You make a fool of yourself and there has to be someone there to document your mistake!  Well that turned out to be a good thing, if a bit humbling!  Two guys came out and offered to help me get off when they could see I was not making measurable progress.  

They asked if they could help and I responded by saying I would welcome their assistance.  Even though it seemed to be working loose, I could have been messing around for hours, which made no sense with help available.  

We hooked up a line to the stern and with me in reverse it came off very easily.  I thanked them profusely and wished them a good day.  Seems like every year I have to end the trip with a rescue or it just isn’t right!

Central Helm Station, When Solo, Restricts Ability
To See Uncharted Reefs With Sun On The Bow, Or Poor Light.
(click to enlarge)

The boat site was close by so I landed and tied up shortly after they pulled me off.  I took all my fire wood ashore for a possible evening fire, if it doesn’t rain?  This site is much nicer than last night and even has a small trail out to a point with a lookout of sorts. 

A Trail To The Point Revealed An Alternate Fire Ring
(click to enlarge)

I set up the drone to go out and take some pics of the reef I went aground on, to document further the error of my ways for posterity!  From the air it was very easy to see what happened.  The main reef was marked well on the chart, but not the rock I hit, which was slightly further out.  I even checked my track and it was clear of the marked reef. The moral of the story is that you can only trust charts so far and they are not perfect!  No substitute for a spotter, which I did not have!  It isn’t that I hadn’t already determined the charting was suspect for this lake.  I have clearly documented it twice now!

Drone video of the last boat site of the two week trip. Great trip!

Though it was by then 1245 pm, I still felt full from breakfast so I didn't know if I would have lunch or not?  Hamburgers, baked beans, chips, and a cold beer are up for dinner. That may be enough? 

I plan to take a shower later, since this is my last night on the boat.  I have to get up early (about 5 AM) to do my normal study and prayer time, eat breakfast, clean up, and get underway at first light to attempt to beat the high winds forecast for tomorrow. 

I finished the Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men book today and my novel last night, since I could not get to sleep and the bright moon was shining through the windows. So far I've finished two novels, and now on my second audio book, and I also finished the "Little Green Men" book. I have one more book I will begin reading today.

Nicely Designed Head & Well Stocked
(click to enlarge)

I will begin packing stuff this afternoon and evening so all is ready for the quick leg to the marina in the morning. My goal is to be away by 7 am (first light).

I picked away at organizing and re-packing everything so I can fit it all in the car.  The car is full when loaded. Including the left front seat right to the dash! I managed to get it all packed and ready, then made dinner, cleaned up the dishes, and put everything away.

Started a fire so it would have some coals when I come ashore after my shower.  It took awhile again to get the water hot enough to shower and I pushed it a bit so it was a little cooler than I like but warmed up by the time I finished. It was steaming in the cold air when I was finishing up!  Afterward I got dressed and went ashore to have evening desert of red wine and chocolate covered almonds.

Sat by the fire for awhile but than it began to drizzle so I packed the BT speakers, my chair, etc. and went back to the boat.  I bundled up the shower gear, moved the propane tank inside so things would not get wet with the forecast rain.  

Tomorrow’s forecast is looking even worse, 70 percent chance of rain and wind gusts up to 70 km/hr (43 mph) by noon!  I plan to be out of here by 7 am to beat the adverse winds and have my car loaded before they hit.  We’ll see how that goes? 

Comfortable But Very Firm Bed, Flannel Sheets, Down Comforter
(click to enlarge)

I sat and listened to music for awhile, but I was a bit antsy with the anticipation of the weather and the last day tomorrow.  So, I read a chapter of the new book and tried to sleep, but to no avail, so I got up to finish this log for the day.  I won’t be able to finish tomorrow’s log until I get back to MI for the overnight stay. 

Wake up is 5 AM tomorrow morning!

Last Night On The Boat
(click to enlarge)