Lake Nipigon 2023 - Day 10, Thursday, July 6 (Layover)

0530-57F/53F. Solar 86%, Coffee water on.

Sunrise

0640-Warmed up coffee cake with my coffee tasted great! Verse of the day: "The words and promises of the Lord are pure words, Like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times." (Psalms 12:6)

0720-Study time finished, but still reading "The New Evidence" as part of my morning reading.

Breakfast up next. Will hold off since I'm still full from the coffee cake.

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Ells Island lies to the east.  The island I am on the locals call "Little Africa", though I am not sure why? I will bypass Logan Island for my next move, though that was an original goal, in order to conserve fuel and time.

Note Deep Water Left Side - Possible Tie Up

1150-Made pancakes and bacon for breakfast, with O.J.  After breakfast I went up on top of the island to fly the drone making a couple of flights. I was just coming in to land the second time when a boat comes screaming in from the south entrance. Always a bummer!  

Island Tent Site

Turns out it was the same couple who burst my bubble at the last anchorage.  I knew they wouldn't stay long.  She doesn't fish much and he is impatient.  I have no idea where they are based.

Looking Toward South Entrance Of Blind Channel

Did dishes while they fished. They left as I finished up. Patience was even shorter than last time.

Got ready to take a swim to get cleaned up.  It is sunny with a little wind.  Water temperature was at 63F just above my cutoff of 62F. I jumped in twice and it felt good to get into clean clothes again.

Charted Anchorage In Background

Trimmed my beard so I look quite presentable again. 71F/78F. Solar 100%.

Will go up on the hill to read out of Grey Owl, if the deer flies don't harass me too much. It is more pleasant weather than anticipated.

1550-Sat on the hill and read, did some video, fished some.  Caught a nice northern 3-4 lbs., had two more good strikes but they shook loose from the barbless hooks before I could land them.

Caught One - Had Two More Strikes

Tie Up Arrangement - Boulder Proximity

Two steel hulled boats showed up and anchored in the designated anchorage.  They had two dogs aboard who were evidently poorly disciplined since they constantly barked, especially if they left them alone aboard while they went fishing, which they did.  If the dogs could see me on shore they would bark continually!  A real joy!!

Two Boats Came To Fish - Two Dogs Barking Constantly!

I decided to get dinner ready since I couldn't enjoy the peace of the setting.

1650-I boiled potatoes and refrigerated enough for three more meals, plus today's portion.  Dinner was pork roast, mashed potatoes, salad, roll, and red wine.

Loon Checking Me Out

Will finish my wine and go retrieve the back up solar battery and solar array since they it should be up to full charge.

1800-Went up the hill to sit and read and listen to music but the deer flies would not let up so I came in for ice cream and strawberries.  I'll try later once the sun is lower and it cools off.

Take Off!

2110-I'm tired for some reason, so I think I'll listen to my audio book in bed and hit the sack early.

Lake Nipigon 2023 - Day 9, Wednesday, July 5

0600-65F/62F. 77% solar. Mostly cloudy, light breeze.

I'm baking coffee cake.

Stove Top Oven

Peanut Butter Coffee Cake

0815-Finished study time. Verse for the day: "If the foundations [of a godly society] are destroyed, What can the righteous do?" (Psalms 11:3 Amplified Bible)

Time to make breakfast and then prepare to depart. 70F/64F. 74% solar. Still mostly cloudy with a light breeze.

0855-Departed the anchorage. Light breeze from the NW. Island will shelter me from waves.

Departing Anchorage

1025-Arrived at an island campsite in Blind Channel.  Leg 9 was 6 miles.

Leg 9, Day 9 - 6.0 Miles

GE - Destination Detail - Leg 9

The landing was a debacle with the boat going sideways in the stiff breeze off starboard, which pushed me down on the rocks. The motor was dangerously close to boulders, so I shut down the engine to prevent prop damage.

On Approach Wind Pushed Boat Down Onto Boulder To Right

With no motor I figured I would try to salvage the disaster. I throw the port guy ashore, put out the gang plank to get ashore which was a steep landing, then took the starboard guy with me to try to tie up but the bushes were thick and the boat was at too broad an angle to pull the stern up wind. So I went back aboard and attempted to push off with the push pole but could not get it to extend...it was jammed!

I used the shortened pole to at least get the stern away from the boulders and started the engine using some power while holding tension on the starboard guy to help the stern around. It was successful. After several tweaks of the guys I got the boat squared away but what a nightmare! About everything that could go wrong did!

The site is a nice bare rock campsite. I hope the wind drops so I can use the fire ring tonight.  Time to do dishes.

Rock Island Camp Site

1730-I fixed the push pole so it will extend properly then did some video and pics ashore.

Back Up Solar Battery Charging With Portable 120w Panel

I reviewed videos and audio to ensure good content then recharged the laptop.  I took the backup solar battery up to recharge with the 120w portable solar panel.  After setting that up I just sat and observed my surroundings in silence.

Relaxing Ashore - Wind Instrument On Small Tripod

Looking South From Channel Island Campsite

I checked out swimming possibilities and decided the boat was still the safest.  Rocky shore was either too steep or slippery and treacherous.

Steep Drop Off South Side Of Island

Began grilled steak dinner prep but it may be difficult to get the grill up to temperature in the stiff breeze. Even with some makeshift foil barriers to fill the gaps.  Had to replace the first propane bottle, not good.  Seems like I'm using them too fast or they're leaking?

May or may not use the fire ring ashore tonight, depends on the wind.

2015-Finally had my grilled tenderloin, potatoes, salad, rolls, and red wine for dinner.  Had to use all kinds of foil to block the wind so the grill would come up to heat. Never ceases to amaze me how poorly grills are designed to work in wind.

After dinner I went up to the campsite and sat watching the area for wildlife. The wind created quite a chill and eventually drove me inside.

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Listening to my new audio book "Red Knife" by Krueger. Cloudy, windy, cold! 64F. Solar 100%. No fire ring tonight!

2100-Listening to the audiobook, will hit the sack soon.

Lake Nipigon 2023 - Day 8, Tuesday, July 4

0550-64F/61F. Solar 80%. Took some pics of the sunrise. Coffee next.

"Red Sky In Morning, Sailor's Warning"

0730-Study routine finished. Verse of the day: "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." (Psalms 27:14).  Time for breakfast.

0820-Departed the anchorage headed to East Geike Island.

Underway

Arrival At Destination - Leg 8

YouTube Video

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1000-Arrived at the anchorage. Leg 8 was 8.4 miles. Light breeze. Sunny. Another calm day to move making it less stressful.  

NOTE: 7.3 miles on Tank #3, 1.1 miles on #4.  31.9 miles total for 6 Gallon Tank #3 (5.3 mpg)

Leg 8, Day 8 - 8.4 Miles

Leg 8 Destination Detail

1050-Dishes are done. 

I need to begin considering hump day fuel status, location relative to launch, and likely return track to ensure adequate fuel remaining.

1200-I made a chicken salad sandwich with cashews accompanied by chips and white wine. I needed something to hold me until dinner. 73F/74F. Cool despite warm temps with a breeze blowing through the cabin. Solar 96%.

Will review this morning's video and sound on my laptop after transfer to my external hard drive.

1700-I read a couple chapters of Grey Owl. Then fished off the bow and caught a white fish that gave a good fight, about 3 lbs.  Casted a couple more times, but no further luck. Tried two more lures.

A boat came in and fished the swampy area for about 30 minutes then left. No idea where he came from.

Had dinner while they fished. Chili, salad, rolls, and a cold beer.

1830-Caught another white fish, and a third followed the lure in to the boat.  Then a light rain began so I retreated to the cabin. Just a slow light rain.

1930-Rain continues and I continue to listen to my audio book by Ted Bell, "Dragon Fire". Rain was not in the forecast. I'm finding the weather forecasts are not always reliable.

2050-Still raining. Finished my audio book. So I began listening to William Kent Krueger's "Red Knife". Will hit the sack early.