Lake Nipigon 2023 - Day 3, Thursday, June 29th

 0700-61F/58F. Solar 85%. 

0900-Morning study, prayer, and morning reading complete. Time for breakfast.

Verse for the day: "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly." (Psalms 5:3)

0940-Breakfast is finished. Preparing to depart the anchorage heading to Rae Lake, one mile to the west. Ran into a boat of fishermen from the campsite I spoke of yesterday.  Turns out they were from Minneapolis!

Minneapolis Fishermen Stopped Me To Talk

1305-Tried the creek entrance to Rae Lake but hit rocks and decided it was not worth getting stuck in that exposed area, so I punted. Decided to go south, clockwise around Shakespeare Island (5.7 mi. x 8.1 miles).  

Attempting To Enter Rae Creek - Rocks Everywhere!

Came Up On Rocks So Backed Away - A No Go!

Rae Lake Access

Cloudy, Drizzly, Hazy Day - Heading SSE From Rea Creek

Anchored in the Dockery Islands. Leg 3 was 11.2 miles.  A long leg in misty and smoky conditions. Had some rolling going along the south side of the big Island.

Leg 3, Day 3 - 11.1 Miles

Eagle Watching My Approach To Anchorage

Leg 3 Anchorage - Nearby Campsite

Had trouble with the motor revving up as though a cable was stuck.  Eventually discovered the control cables were getting caught up in the autopilot tiller. I unwound that situation and all seemed okay after that.

Upwind the autopilot oversteered a lot and was hunting too much. I think it was the lack of adequate rudder response in the gusty conditions. Crosswind it seemed to be fine. Still a real aid underway. 

1445-Had some hot chocolate and sat on the aft deck drinking it when I spotted the campsite I was looking for when I anchored.  There were no markers but there were other indications that appeared to be cabin remnants.

Campsite Approach From Inside The Harbor

I did the dishes. Kind of late in the day.  The EDT is messing me up.  I'm sleeping later and getting in later as a result. I hope no one comes to use the campsite while I'm here. I'm tempted to tie ashore to stake my claim. I'll have to think about it.

1700-Finished dinner of grilled steak tenderloin, potatoes, salad, roll, and wine. I guess I have pretty much killed this day.  I don't plan to move ashore.

210-I flew the drone for one flight to film the area and recon the campsite.  Turns out to be nice one, but is best approached from outside the anchorage to the north.  It has a fire ring and even a picnic table.  Pretty nice!

Looking SSE From Dockrey Islands - Shakespeare Is. To Left

Campsite - Dockrey Islands

YouTube Video - Click To Play

I started recharging all my batteries and reviewed the drone video from yesterday and today.  Unfortunately the drone camera was out of focus yesterday on the first flight, not sure why since that is automatic. The second flight and today's flight were fine.

Sat on the aft deck for a while and read the third book in Grey Owl's collected works. Then I listened to some music and had my evening chocolates with Bailey's for dessert until the mosquitoes chased me inside. I will listen to my audio book and hit the sack. 66F/60F. Solar 94%.