St. Croix 2023 - Day 6, Monday, May 22

 0515-Up and at em'. 58F/53F. Solar 76%.

0630-Finished Bible study. Verse for the day is: "For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!" (Ezekiel 18:32)

0700-Finished prayer and supplemental reading out of "Evidence...". Time for breakfast.

Hazy Sunrise

Did the dishes early so they are done for the day and can be put away for pull out. Preparing for departure.

0820-Departed the anchorage and did another auto pilot calibration since the first one failed. This time it was successful. Only took an extra 10 minutes and I was on my way.

I followed my track in. Spotted a bald eagle sitting on a dead head with a bunch of cormorants on another.  He took off and joined another eagle about a 1/4 mile away.

Ready For Takeoff!

Breeding Pair Of Bald Eagles

No bumps along the track and soon I was back in the main channel heading up river to the Park. Nary a boat in sight. Quite a contrast from Saturday and Sunday.

Cormorants - Water World Rat's 

0930-I arrived at the State Park launch ahead of schedule. Very quiet with only four fishermen in the lot. The last leg was 5.1 miles for a total trip distance of 31.8 miles.

Final Day - Leg 6, Day 6, 5.1 Miles - Trip Total 31.8 Miles

I tied up the boat and sent the kayak ashore to load later. Turned on the forward camera for assistance lining up the boat and went to get the rig.  

State Park Pull Out

Backed the trailer in retrieved the boat.  Using the new guide post extensions and forward camera drove it onto the trailer. Unfortunately, the trailer was not level which required some maneuvering to line up while winching it in by remote control.  Worked out okay.  Had to put on my rubber boots to keep my feet dry. Pulled out and moved over to the lot to begin preparing the boat for the road. I got side tracked talking to three different folks coming by with questions and complements like "cutest boat ever!"

1200-finally pulled out of the lot heading to the storage unit to stow the boat and remove my gear to take home.  It was a fun and enjoyable trip, very different from some of my past trips but probably closest to the St. John's River environment of Florida but not near as much wildlife.  Lake Nipigon is next.  Standby!

St. Croix 2023 - Day 5, Sunday, May 21

0640-55F/48F. Solar 75%. I warmed up coffee cake and made coffee for my Bible study time. Verse of the day: As he (Jesus) went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." (John 9:1-3)

0805-I finished my reading and will make breakfast and then move on. I decided to nix the idea of going north to Taylor's Falls today. Instead, I will go south to find an overnight anchorage for my last night.

0925-I departed the anchorage.

YouTube Video

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Very Peaceful!

1050-Arrived at the new anchorage, but it is not what I expected. Instead of tree cover and protected coves like we explored yesterday, it was a large open submerged marsh with few trees.  

Large Submerged Marsh To The East Of Anchorage

Leg 5 was 4.9 miles. I accomplished an autopilot calibration before anchoring in a very exposed anchorage. Very open NE to E. Light wind and low tree cover so no shade until late afternoon. I will charge up camera batteries and decide whether to go kayaking or not.

Leg 5, Day 5 - 4.9 Miles

Anchorage - Exposed NE to SE Due To Submerged Marsh

1330-I sat on the aft deck sipping some white wine and popping cashews. Very peaceful. 78F in, 80F out but a breeze coming through the cabin makes it seem cooler. Sun is hitting the aft deck so I came inside for some shade and listen to music and maybe listen to my audio book before I prepare dinner.

Trees In The Light

I am plenty rested so no napping this afternoon. I will plan dinner for around 3 pm. Grilled chicken, potatoes, salad, roll, and white wine.

1515-I was preparing dinner but found the chicken still frozen and the propane on the grill empty. 83F/83F. Hot!  I put the chicken in the sun to thaw.

1645-I finally grilled the chicken but managed to burn the ciabatta roll. Still a great dinner. Sun is going below the trees to the west which should help cool things down. 80F/78F. Solar 99%.

1730-Having my evening libation with chocolates on the aft deck for my dessert.

Observed a muskrat swimming and noisy swamp critters are raising a racket!  Some Canada geese were fighting over a potential bride I think and it went on for 45 minutes. I think one of them finally won the prize.

Muskrat

It is finally cooling off a bit. 78F/77F. Solar 99%. Both the house and starting batteries seem to be performing less than par. It may be time for a replacement. I need to consider that for the next big trip.

1900-76F/75F. Solar 99%. Sitting on the aft deck listening to music and watching the wildlife. So far a bald eagle, musk rat, Canada geese, starlings, gold finches, teal ducks, and others I can't I.D. Very pleasant evening. Thank the Lord that I can be here, it is such a privilege to be here enjoying his creation.

Starling On The Hunt

2040-71F/68F. Solar 96%. Came in from the aft deck and listening to music when the mosquitos began their attack.  I will listen to my new audio book "Reckless Abandon" by Stuart Woods and hit the sack. I plan an early start tomorrow with a 5 am wakeup!   

St. Croix 2023 - Day 4, Saturday, May 20

0510-54F/45F. Solar 68%. I will be meeting up with the kids today but need to kill some time here so I will make coffee cake.  Heavy fog this morning.

Early Morning Fog

0630-I finished baking the new peanut butter coffee cake with chocolate chips added. Very good and took less time than my regular coffee cake mix. 18 minutes at the "high bake" range. Now it's study time.

Beautiful Start To The Day

0810-Study complete. I read my usual 3 pages of the 750 page tome "The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict" by Josh McDowell.  This book combines and updates "Evidence" Volumes I & II into one volume.

Morning Reading

Verse for the day: "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27)

1000-A couple of canoeists approached from the south while I was doing dishes, but they backtracked after they saw me.

YouTube Video - Part 1

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Blue Heron Cruising

I finished the dishes and got the kayak ready to explore the channels this morning.

Canada Goose In Regal Pose

Watching Me Closely As I Follow

1210-Just returned from my kayak trip. Now charging all the cameras and mic batteries so they are ready for this eve.  Will do some repair work on the new under cabinet lights I installed. They were attached with double sided tape which did not hold.

Solitude Broken!

1315-67F/68F. Solar 55%. Sunny and warm. Had a snack of cheese, nuts, and crackers with white wine. I will finish up and begin to get ready for a 1400 departure for the Park.

Bald Eagle Overseeing His Kingdom

1540-Arrived at the Park. The leg was 7.7 miles. 

Leg 4a, Day 4, 7.7 Miles

Destination - Pickup Family At Park

I got harassed by a Park Ranger, who did not like that I tied to shore while waiting for the kids. Can't do that evidently!  Ridiculous! The kids ran a bit late and arrived just as the Ranger returned to his vehicle.  They even talked to the same Ranger, perhaps they changed his cantankerous attitude!

1615-Headed over to my first night's anchorage and explored a little further up the oxbow lake. Had to stop when we came to a barrier so we anchored and prepared for happy hour with dinner following.  Grilled brats, chips, coleslaw, and cold beers. 

1845-Started our return trip following the same track out. Both my daughter Kelly, and husband Nate, got to steer. 

Family Dinner Cruise - Leg 4b, 3.9 Miles
Total For The Day 11.6 Miles

 

YouTube Video - Part 2

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1930-Arrived at the Park to drop off the kids. Leg was 3.9 miles round trip. I headed to a nearby anchorage to the SW for the night.  I'm absolutely worn out with all the activity and warm sunshine. Great day! Kids really enjoyed the outing.

Blue Heron Eyeing Me Warily!

2100-Listened to my audio book and went to bed.

St. Croix 2023 - Day 3, Friday, May 19

0615-56F/48F. 51% solar. Slept better last night.

0720-70F/48F. Finished my study time. Verse for the day is "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

0830-Breakfast and morning ablutions are in order. I will then prepare to get underway.

0900-Finally have all the camera gear set. Boat is ready. I was off in gusty winds out of the NW.

Canada Geese Looking For Breakfast

YouTube Video

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High Bluffs Along River

1030-Arrived at the new site. Leg 3 was 4.7 miles. 

Leg 3, Day 3, 4.7 Miles

I initially ran into trouble on the north end of the oxbow lake I was on last night, just before joining the main river channel. First I ran aground and it stopped the engine. So, I lifted the motor and soon the current pulled me off the sand bar.

The Challenge Of River Cruising!

However, finding the correct channel was difficult and I soon ran up on a tree when I chose the wrong way to go around a grounded tree.  Turns out I had to go right up against the bank which was counter intuitive. 

The boat's impact and twisting up on the tree knocked my Osmo Active Camera out of whack but it was out of memory anyway so made no difference.

I finally got by all the obstructions. It was a good thing I was going up current and against the wind. The opposite could have been very problematic given the wind gusts. I may not have had sufficient power to back off against the current and up wind.  As it turned out both helped me.

Autopilot was not handling the severe wind gusts and manual control was even sketchy at times. 

Railroad Swing Bridge

I passed under the swing bridge and kept going. A very narrow channel in one place. It reminded me of the "log channel" (canal) on the St. John's River in Florida having to dodge trees as I passed through.

Destination Leg 3 - Narrow Channel Enroute

Very Narrow But Deep Channel

1215-Dish clean up is finished so I checked the site for a potential fire tonight. Wind is up so I'm not sure that will work out. We'll see what the forecast says.

1230-Solar 69%. Temps 66F/58F. Listening to music. I feel like a snack, maybe some beer and chips.

Site, Looking Up River

1425-Listened to more music and did an inventory of emergency signaling. Short one day/night signal.

I put away the dishes and pulled out the oven for pizza tonight and coffee cake in the morning.

Like Tying Up In The Jungle!

I tried to sit outside while listening to music but the wind was too cold. A fire would be possible but I'm not sure I want to mess with it given the wind and outside temp.

Bow Is Tight To The Bank - A Problem With Bow Anchor Mount!

1600-I made pizza accompanied by a salad and beer for dinner. It was great and took only 35 minutes instead of the usual 40 minutes. 73F/61F. Solar 82%.

Turkey Vultures Were Very Active In This Area

1800-Sat on the aft deck until the cold chased me inside. I read my e-Book "President Elect" by Jack Mars. Just too cold to sit comfortably outside.  Temp is 61F but the wind brings it down into the 50's. Listening to music inside. May fire up the table top fire.

1900-Continued reading my e-Book until the table top fire went out. I'm quite tired and may hit the sack early. Still cloudy. 77F/60F. Solar 83%. Still early.

2100-Finished my e-Book and went to sleep.

St. Croix 2023 - Day 2, Thursday May 18

0600-Got up. 57F/54F. Solar 77%.

Had coffee & cookies after warming the cabin. Did my morning study. Verse of the day is "Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty." (Job 5:17)

I'm reading "The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict" by Josh McDowell as part of my morning study readings.

0815-Time for breakfast.

0845-Breakfast finished, will prepare to move.

0915-After gearing up several cameras and remote mic's I finally got underway. Pulling anchor was no problem but I expected difficulty in the uncertain bottom.

Used the autopilot underway and all worked well. I did not calibrate since it was a bit breezy to do that.

Tied Up At A Camp Site

1025-Arrived at the new site. Leg 2 was 4.0 miles. Observed only one person at their house on shore. Very quiet, no boats.  It started to rain as I arrived so I hustled to tie up. I swung around twice on approach trying to judge the current and needed to take down the boom camera in case I got too close to the branches of the trees on shore.

Leg 2, Day 2, 4.0 Miles

Available Fire Ring - Lot's Of Firewood, But Wet

Destination Detail - Leg 2

1130-Finished dishes.

1340-Tried to nap by listening to my audio book "Blood Orchid." It was raining heavily so it seemed like a good time to nap.  But suddenly I realized the I left the brat buns at home for our family cookout on Saturday, so I became wide awake!

I got up and ate my chicken salad sandwich, I made a couple days ago, along with chips and white wine while listening to my audio book.

It's still raining but not heavy anymore. So, I laid down again listening to music but still could not nap.

1600-I got up and went out to try to get some pics. Observed a  small deer duck behind a downed tree, Tried to find him to get a pic, but no luck.

Checked the pond behind the river bank and found it full of turtles.  They were large too! I observed at least ten and got photos of a couple, but they kept coming and going so there were likely twice as many as what I saw.

Common Map Turtle - Over 20 In This Pond

Managed to get my rubber boots muddy. Returned to the boat to get ready for dinner, though I'm not hungry. Grilled steak tonight. 72F/64F. Solar 77%. Same as at wake up!  Solar is keeping up with the power drain, despite the clouds and rain.

 YouTube Video - Intense Green!

(Click to Play)

1830-Finished my grilled tenderloin, potatoes, salad, roll, and red wine. Very serene evening. A quiet day with no boaters observed. No people to speak of. Great!  May do a table top fire tonight.

Looking Down Channel

I heard sandhill cranes again this evening flying to their roost. Never saw them but better check the pond to see if they landed there.  (they hadn't)

Sun Reflecting Off Tree Trunks

2115-Heavy rain chased me back inside after a nice evening by the table top fire. I observed a bald eagle and a lot of purple martins flying around. I even swore I heard a fox or coyote bark once.  Overall a nice evening. The rain will help me sleep. 65F/60F. Solar 72%.

Enjoying The Table Top Fire