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.