Long Lake, Ontario - 6/20/2024

 Trip Day 1 (On The Water)

1700-Finally got onto the water after 3:30 hours of prep! No one at the landing, but a boat pulled out while I was rigging the boat. Spent some time talking with them while they admired the boat. I drank lots of water with the heat. I had no lunch and was feeling it.

Launch Ramp - Longlac, Ontario

1800-Departed the dock and headed SW to a planned anchorage about 8 miles distant. The autopilot (AP) failed almost right away. Only later, after I returned home, did I find out that the fuse was too small. I did not have the printed installation manual with me and did not want to damage the AP. So I went without on this trip.

Arrived at the entrance to the protected bay I planned to use and promptly ran aground on an unmarked reef. Only later was I able to see it on some of my Satellite images. It was not shown on the marine chart. Fortunately, there appeared to be no serious prop damage so I continued on and rejected the planned destination.

I-Boat Marine Chart - Unmarked Reef

Reef Barely Visible On Satellite Image

1930-I finally set anchor in an alternative site in about 8' of water. The marine charts are very inaccurate. Obstacles are not marked! 

There were lots of mosquitoes to deal with in the anchorage. I was also exhausted and starving for something to eat.  No food since before six in the morning!

Day 1, Leg 1 - 12.1 Miles

Final Destination - Birch Bay

Dinner was chili, salad, fried French bread with melted Havarti cheese and a cold beer.

2200-I mixed a Bailey's with ice and tried to film in the cockpit but I'm not sure the sound was working. Mosquitoes seem to be getting into the cabin.

2300-Tried to go to bed but had to slaughter mosquitoes first!

2330-I got to sleep around this time after killing many, many mosquitoes.

Long Lake, Ontario, 6/19 & 6/20 2024

Road Trip-Day 1

0930-First leg of the 521 mile two day drive. Departed White Bear Lake headed for Grand Marais, MN (250 miles). 

Lunch Stop - Two Harbors, MN

The 521 Mile Drive Took Two Days

The morning verse for the day is Deuteronomy 10:12 "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

1430-Arrived Grand Marais. Topped up with gas before parking at my usual spot by the Congregational Church.

My Overnight Spot By The Church

1700-Had beer and snacks at the Brewery and dinner at The Fisherman's Daughters. Kept it light with some white fish, chips, and white wine.

2200-Hit the sack late after a Bailey's and some reading.

Road Trip-Day 2

0430-Second leg of the drive, Grand Marais to Longlac, Ontario (268 miles), and the launch destination for a 3 week trip on Long Lake.

Drive Day 2 -

0430-Woke up early so decided to get up to start early too.  After my coffee, study time, and breakfast I rigged the cab camera.

Morning verse: "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."  (Psalms 119:105) and "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. " (Psa 19:1-4a)

0650-Weather is fine, calm, light thin overcast in the 60"s (F). 

Border crossing went okay with no delays.

1330 (EDT)-Local time, arrived Longlac. Warm 69F. Wind is calm and the sky still has a high thin overcast but mostly sunny.

Will prepare the boat and launch the boat. The goal for today is an anchorage about 8 miles down lake. 

 

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