0514-Bible study verse for today: When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief. (Matthew 17:22-23)
0640-Time for breakfast and prep for departure.
Foggy Morning - Running Lights On
0715-Still pretty dark. Ready to go but waiting for a little more light. As it is I will have to use running lights.
Coming Into The Dock
Leg 12 - Navionics Chart
The Boat Ramp
Leg 12 - Park Map
All Is Quiet In The Early Morning Fog
0800-Arrived at boat ramp, Ash River Visitor Center. Began the process of loading and preparing the boat for the highway.
Ready to Load
Full Trip Track - 85.9 Miles
Park Overview - Trip Area
Retrieving The Rig
1000-Departed the ramp headed home.
Loaded And Ready To Depart
1600- Arrived in White Bear Lake, MN after a successful trip.
0625-59F/55F. Solar 30%. House 11.9v. Power in all batteries is going downhill fast!
0740-Bible verse for the day from my study time: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?"
(Matthew 16:24-26)
0810-Prayer and reading time finished. Now it is time to make breakfast and make a plan for the day to ensure I have enough solar battery power to complete this trip. Sun is rising, skies are clear, thank you Lord! 71F/56F. Solar 27%. House 11.9v.
0950-Departed boat site in the kayak. Headed east to the portage trailhead for a hike. Looking for wildlife enroute.
Kayak Launch Into Long Slough
Kayak Trip Down Long Slu
1020-Arrived at the trailhead.
Portage Trailhead
View NW From Trailhead
1040-Took off on my hike over the portage. Arrived on the east side of the portage. No significant critters observed.
East End Of Portage Trail
Portage Trail Hike
Large Pine On Trail
Reed Filled Low Land South Side Of Trail
1050-Started the return trip in the kayak, again nothing observed.
On My Way Back To Boat
1120-Arrived back at the boat site. The small back up solar battery was almost fully charged. This is the small solar generator I primarily use for charging drone batteries and my laptop, but also serves as a back up to the back up battery which is now empty.
Approach To Boat Site
1230-Washed dishes, retrieved the re-charged small solar battery, and stowed the gear.
1310-Will have a glass of white wine with some nuts. 67F/68F. Solar 26%. House 11.9v. A
1340-Will go ashore and just enjoy the beautiful fall day reading and listening to music from my chair perch overlooking the bay.
Enjoying The Day - Reading And Listening To Music Ashore
1515-Read ashore while sipping some white wine. Re-positioned the solar panels to get max watts. I think I will be able to finish the trip with sufficient battery power.
Panels Tilted To Maximize Watt Input
Ready to begin dinner.
1600-Finnished chicken tortilla soup, salad, and a beer. No roll tonight because I was short one (a mistake!).
I will wash dishes tonight so I don't have to do that in the morning.
Beautiful Site
2000-Put down the solar panels after sunset. Moved the kayak offshore into the tow position to be ready to go in the morning at first light.
Sat around the fire ring until well after dark watching the beautiful moon rising. A beautiful last night for this trip. I wished I could capture it and take it home with me until next season!
Will enjoy a little Baileys, the drop that is left, then hit the sack. Alarm set for 0400. 66F/60F. Solar 28%. House 11.8v.
0610-61F/57F. Solar 15%, House 11.9v. Caught sixth mouse of the trip last night.
Improving Sky In Morning
0725-Morning Bible study time is done. Verse of the day: "Then the Lord said, 'Because this nation approaches [Me only] with their words And honors Me [only] with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me is a tradition that is learned by rote [without any regard for its meaning],'" (Isaiah 29:13 AMP)
Here is a satellite text from Pastor Mike in reference to the adverse weather (wind and rain) I've been experiencing: "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." (Mark 4:39) My prayer for today!
Sunshine On Boat Bodes Better Weather Today!
0810-Addional morning reading finished, time to make breakfast. I will lower the solar panels afterward to capture as many watts as possible. The sun is shining through the clouds this morning with areas of blue helping to brighten the day. There is hope for better weather. Many have prayed as indicated by Pastor Mike's reference and this is an answer to those prayers!
0850-It is a very encouraging morning. Finished breakfast then put down the panels. Will prepare to depart. Looking forward to some outside activity!
0900-Departed the boat site. More sun and more blue skies!
Beautiful Fall Color
Barren Rock Island - Resting Gulls
A lot of boating activity this late compared to my experience in fall of 2021 on Rainy Lake.
1120-Arrived at the new site K15 (Long Slough) on Lake Kabetogama indicated by the letter "K". I plan to do some kayaking and hiking here, if the wind dies down. It is clouding up again. Will try to catch some rays. I need to tilt the panels. Leg 11 was 11.3 miles.
Long Slough Boat Site (K15)
Navigation Map - Leg 11
Park Map - Leg 11 (Two Maps Combined)
Huge Tree At Landing`
Kayak Pulled Up - Preparing For Kayak Trip Across Slough
1320-Pulled the kayak up on shore and sponged out all the rain water collected in the bottom, despite having been covered! If the winds drop I might use it today, otherwise the morning will likely be calmer for kayaking.
Park Map Leg 11 - Destination Detail
1330-Had a glass of wine. I need to go up top and rearrange the panels for best watts.
Panels Adjusted For Max Watt Input
1740-Cut and split firewood for tonight, if it doesn't rain, or maybe tomorrow if it does. Mostly cloudy now. Wind dropped but it is too close to dark to kayak and hike as planned. I will try again in the morning. 71F/66F. Solar 15%. Will have to use the backup a 4th time. House 12.1v.
Fire Ring - Slough Behind
Wood Cut, Split, & Drying Out - Kindling Standing By
Dinner was grilled chicken, potatoes, salad, roll, and wine.
Listening to my audio book "The Gray Ghost Murders". Will have some more red wine and maybe dessert later.
2040-Came back from a relaxing time by the fire. Almost a full moon rising. Heard a splash while listening to my audio book ashore. I silenced the audio to listen more closely in case it was a moose though beaver seemed more likely. Sure enough a second slap of a tail confirmed it.
Beautiful night but the fire is going out so I will head to the boat, have a Baileys, and hit the sack. 66F/60F. Solar 10%. House 12.0v. Hooked up the backup battery to bring the solar up to 45% but no go! It was drained and only reached a boost to 36%. Had to scramble and shutdown the freezer to make it to the end of this trip! I did not expect this problem. (Later I determined the solar battery was failing and had an unusually high internal consumption which drew it down more rapidly than normal.)
0700-62F/59F. 14% solar. House 12.1v. Gray, cloudy, rainy, and windy. Not a good day to move. Looks like another layover day.
0900-Study and prayer time finished. Verse of the day: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I need to practice this verse with my current weather situation and being stuck a second day!
I will read Yancy's book before I make breakfast.
1015-After breakfast I put dishes out to soak.
1050-Filmed a cabin walk through. Used the phone since the P2 was not picking up enough light. Should have changed the settings but just used my phone instead.
1200-Washed dishes and did my daily hygiene. Listening to music, but will switch to reading for a bit.
A side note: Last night a houseboat approached about 11 pm while I was reading in bed when I happened to notice a flashing light. They were using a spot light to see if someone was at the boat site. Fortunately they moved on. Why on earth they were out roaming around at that hour in wind and rain is anybody's guess. I've certainly seen some unusual night time behavior in this Park!
1215-Just got back from tightening the lines which loosened in the wind and rain.
A Second Layover Day At This Site Due To Weather
1400-Solar is down to 3% so I had to plug in the backup battery again for the third time. Same problem I had last fall! Running out of power and still no sun in the forecast! Not sure how long I can draw on the backup battery?
Heat is on. 59F outside but 69F in the cabin. House battery is down to 12.0v. I'm listening to the new audio book "The Gray Ghost Murders" by Keith McCafferty.
1500-Brought the solar up to 45% which buys me another day. Backup battery is getting low, supposedly at 45% but I don't think that's accurate.
1530-A glimpse of sun through the clouds caused me to go out and reposition the boat angle to maximize watts.
I walked up the hill to port and an adult bald eagle and her young were calling back and forth. I observed the young eagle without adult plumage but couldn't spot the adult. This is the second time on this trip I've observed this calling behavior, a loud trilling call between family members.
Retrieved two pieces of firewood left behind in case it dries out tomorrow. Perhaps I can have a fire at the next site.
Time for dinner but I'm not hungry yet. I will hold off for now. Pork Roast tonight.
1640-Had dinner. Port roast with potatoes, salad, hot roll, and red wine. 73F/62F. Solar 43%. House 12.0v.
1740-Finsihed my paperback "Scorpion in the Sea". Quite good. Thawing strawberries for dessert.
1800-Ate the last of the ice cream with strawberries on top. I will likely have to shut down the freezer to finish the trip. Listening to the new audio book.
1850-Will climb into bed and listen to the audio book or maybe read my e-book. 67F/60F. Solar 37%. House 12.0v.
0645-66F/63F, warmest morning of the trip. Woke up in the middle of the night to what I thought was mouse activity but was just wind rattling the forward Bimini against the cabin. Solar 15%. Down from 43% after the transfer from the backup battery yesterday. Warm temps are not helping the fridge/freezer in terms of energy use. House 12.2v.
Layover Day 11
Not sure what to do today. Move or stay? It is supposed to be cloudy all day with wind up in the afternoon.
Making coffee cake this morning, but before I did that, I realigned the boat is case of morning sun to maximize watts. Not raining yet.
0740-Coffee cake is baking.
1000-Coffee cake was delicious. Study, prayer, and reading time is done. Verse for the day: "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." (Psalms 91:2).
Beginning to sprinkle. Will read some more out of Yancy's book.
1120-Decided to get the dishes out of the way while it is not raining. 70F/65F. House 12.2v, Solar 8%. Will have to make another transfer from the back up battery to the solar battery. Cloudy. No sun!
Getting Chased Back To The Boat By Rain
1230-Did some reading then went out to shoot some video of the site and some exploring while the rain was on pause.
Note Stump Right Center - Close Up Below
Stump Close Up - Marked As Good Fishing Spot
1440-Took a nap. 68F/64F. More clouds, wind, and rain. Solar steady at 8%. House 12.2v.
1620-Pizza is baking, salad, and cold beer to accompany. Listening to "Lord Huron" station on Pandora (download).
1715-Finished dinner and put out strawberries to thaw for dessert. Did the transfer of power from the backup to the solar battery which runs the fridge system. Will have strawberries and ice cream later. Back up battery says 68% but I'm not sure that is accurate. Brought the solar up to 45%.
Sandy Isthmus
1845-Had my dessert, now reading my paperback.
Had to go out a couple times to realign the boat to the wind and add another bow line as the bow was sliding downwind. I made the guys tight to prevent the stern from working back and forth which helped stabilize the bow to some degree. All seems secure at this point. Wind is blowing as forecast.
0600-Day 10 of the trip. 63F/58F. Solar 17%, House 12.4v.
0735-Study verse of the day: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalms 90:12)
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise." (Psalms 111:10)
Cloudy, rainy. 67F/59F. May need to move. High winds tomorrow.
0820-Finished my prayer and reading time. Started a new book I read before but thought I should re-visit it. It is called "Disappointment With God" by Philip Yancy. Time for breakfast.
0840-Breakfast finished so I will prepare to move on since weather is not favorable for staying here. Wind will be strong tomorrow and I will be on a lee shore in this place.
0900-Departed the site. Stopped enroute to wipe down the solar panels which were covered with rain drops.
Arrived At New Boat Site
1030-Arrived at the new boat site. Leg 10 was 6.6 miles. Mostly overcast now with a light wind 69F/70F. Solar 13%. House 12.6v. Site has a large sandy beach with an isthmus between two bays. I'm oriented east/west so it is ideal for any sun, what there is of it! I tilted the panels to maximize the watts.
Junction Bay North - N50
Great Beach!
Navionics Chart
Park Map
Destination Detail
Changed the panel angle twice as well as modifying the boat angle to keep it as aligned with the sun as possible. There is very little sun but the solar did reach 25%.
Angled Solar Panels For Best Watt Input
I went ashore with my chair to read but the rain chased me back to the boat.
1500-Began the dinner routine. Grilled steak tenderloin, potatoes, salad, roll, and red wine.
Went ashore to read again but once again I was chased back tot he boat by a rain shower.
Tried To Read Ashore Twice But Rain Chased Me Back To The Boat Each Time!
1750-I pulled the gang plank to make it more difficult for my furry friends to come aboard uninvited.
Very cloudy. Will make use of the back up battery to get through the night. Solar power is only 25% which will not be sufficient power.
Will read for a while but I plan on an early bed time. Just finished strawberries and ice cream. Great as usual.
Large Pines Draw Bald Eagles To This Area
Need to use up the last of the ice cream and pizza so I can shut down the freezer if necessary.
1830-Connected the backup battery and brought up the solar battery to 43% from 25%. Only took 32 minutes to do that.
Remnants Of Tree On Mini Island
It is raining steady now. Not much to do but read and I have plenty of resources. Sipping some Bailey's while I read.
1920-Still reading. Getting dark. I will climb into bed soon. 69F/61F. Solar 40%. House 12.3v. Solar did rise from a 13% low today to 25% during a cloudy day. Good but not enough. Tomorrow does not look any better and could be worse in terms of weather.
