Long Lake, Ontario - 7/6/2024

Trip Day 17 - Saturday

0530-56F/50F. Clear and calm.

0720-Study time over. Verse of the day: "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me." (Psalms 16:7)

Time for breakfast. still sunny and calm. 69F/66F. It will get warm today!

0750-Breakfast finished. Will prepare for departure. 72F/64F.

Departing The Anchorage

1000-Arrived at my final anchorage. Traveled 9.2 miles on Leg 12 of this trip. Anchored in 10' with mud bottom. Well protected from SW. Will do dishes then decide whether to swim or have a hot shower.

Leg 12 Track

The Last Anchorage Of The Trip

1115-Set out clean clothes and all I need for a self clean up. Just need to jump in!

1340-Finished downloading the latest photos and video to my external HD. Time for a swim.

Saw a fishing boat, 4th of the trip.

1605-Made dinner of shrimp gumbo, salad, rolls, and a cold beer.

Washed the dishes. After the sun goes down I'll take my last swim to cool off before bed. I will stow the forward Bimini near sunset since it provides some shade. 83F/87F!

A Water Color In More Ways Than One!

1640-Pontoon boat came by to visit. Curious about the boat. Said it is a small town and inferred everyone knew I was out on the lake for a couple weeks.

1745-Heat is intense. Went for a second swim. I'm ready to go again but will wait until later.

1940-Took my third swim before bed. Feels great! Thank you Lord for this trip, for keeping me safe, for the beautiful places, and for the peace and solitude it brings.

YouTube Video

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Long Lake, Ontario - 7/5/2024

Trip Day 16 - Friday (Layover)

0510-58F,50F.

Early Morning

0740-Study time complete. Verse of the day: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Mat 6:34)

Fog Lifting

Peaceful Calm

I plan to fly the drone before breakfast. 

Beautiful Start To The Day!

Peaceful Anchorage

Had to do a return to home (RTH) due to low battery (73%). Always raises the heart rate!

Takeoff & Landing Is From The Bow

0810-Breakfast is on. Granola with strawberries, toast, and PB.

0950-Moved the boat closer to where the moose was observed yesterday hoping she will return and I can get a better shot.

Repositioned The Boat

Washed dishes and planning the finish of this trip.

1100-I think I'm set for the last legs of the trip. 

Now I need to decide how to organize the day with the primary goal to get better video of the moose. Kayaking, fishing, and a shower are secondary on the "to do" list.

Hoping To Video The Moose

Observed a pair of mergansers feeding and watched them head down looking for lunch. Suddenly one frantically dove and came up with what looked like a 4" to 5" perch. He downed it with one swallow and quickly looked down to catch another.

Something Has Their Attention!

1245-Made some "cheese crisps", fried buttered baguette with melted Havarti cheese and white wine. 

Cheese Crisps

I reset the stern anchor, there was too much movement to do video if the moose comes out. I let out the bow rode 20' reset the stern and then tightened the bow rode by the 20' I let out. I tightened both rode's to minimize the arc of swing with wind changes. Now I just need the moose to show up!

Water Lily

1300-76F/76F. Waiting for the moose or other critters to show up.

1340-77F/77F. I will lay down for a bit while I wait.

1430-Took a nap while waiting for the moose. 

1500-Resumed the moose watch.

1600-No show!

1700-Finished grilled chicken tenderloin dinner with potatoes, salad, rolls, and white wine. Resumed the moose watch. 77F/77F. Warmer than the forecast 75F. More wind too! 6-7 mph verses the forecast 2 mph.

2015-I waited until 1900 to go kayaking in hopes the moose would show up but it was a no show at both times she came out yesterday. Drone must of encouraged her to go over to the adjacent Birch Bay, which is close by. Another good feeding area there.

Great Kayaking Location

I kayaked around the bay but again had a camera glitch. Not sure how much video I got.

After I returned I pulled up the stern anchor so the boat can swing and simplify getting underway in the morning. Rigged the kayak with the tow bridle. All is ready for the morning.

Returning From Kayak Jaunt

2130-I sat on the aft deck bug free. One of the only nights I could sit out late. Very enjoyable. High clouds moving in. Calm. 70F/66F. Time to read in bed before my eyes close for the day.

YouTube Video 

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Long Lake, Ontario - 7/4/2024

Trip Day 15 - Thursday 

0520-Mosquitos on the attack again! 59F/52F and it is the 4th of July!

Early Morning Calm - Prior To Departure

0750-Difficult to read the Bible.  I've been killing mosquitos constantly since I woke up. They continue unabated! I have no idea how they get in, though the bilge is likely.

Verses of the day: 

"And he said to the human race, 'The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'" (Job 28:28)

"...What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'— the things God has prepared for those who love him—" (1Co 2:9)

0845-Time for breakfast.

0910-Finished breakfast, will began departure prep.

0925-Departed anchorage. Forgot to turn off anchor alarm! Sun and clouds mixed, warm, light wind. Nice day!

1025-Arrived at new anchorage in West Side Bay. I traveled 6 miles in flat seas on Leg 11 rounding Red Rock Point to enter the bay.

Leg 11 Track

New Anchorage - Leg 11

Entrance To Cove Behind Kayak

1145-Every battery is recharging. Dishes are washed. I cleaned up all the mosquito blood and body parts where they were slaughtered but I'm still on a killing spree! 70F/71F. Water temp is 59F. May set up the shower today or tomorrow. I need to plan the next steps.

1320-Heating up the pizza left overs for a snack. 73F/74F. Big temp changed since morning.

1400-Had a cold beer with the pizza and a few chips. Will eat dinner late today with this snacking between meals. Possible rain later. 74F/77F. Getting hot!

Anchorage & Moose Observation

1500-laid down to read intending to nap but book was too engaging so I got up and went out on the stern to look around and observed a cow moose feeding about 1200' away in the marsh. I took some pics and video. Video was tough at that distance, especially with the boat swinging on the anchor. Not sure how long she was there but she hung around for about another half hour feeding continuously.

Moose Feeding

Having Lunch - 325 Yards Away

Prime Moose Feeding Area

I got the drone ready in case she returns. I would like better shots but it's difficult zooming in at maximum magnification. I had to move the tripod forward because of movement. Fortunately opening and closing screen doors did not bother her due to the distance.

1645-time to consider dinner. The snack pushed it later than usual.

1735-Finished eating dinner, chicken fajita soup, salad, rolls, and a cold beer. Still a mix of clouds and sun with light breeze. Some clouds have the look of rain. 75F/74F. Cabin was closed up partially to facilitate cooking and keeping food hot. 

Lily Pad Flower

I will keep a close eye on the shorelines for critters. Drone is ready on a moments notice.

1800-I was setting up on the aft deck to take my evening watch and the boat swung around and the moose was back! Rain began coming down so I had to delay flying the drone. Eventually I launched the drone to take some shots but it did not work out so well. It appeared she could hear the drone even a couple hundred feet up and went into the woods. I expect she will come back. My next effort will be to move the boat closer tomorrow.

Moose Cove - Little Speck On Right

1900-Preparing my Baileys on ice ready for my evening libation. 73F/71F. It's raining again.

Back From Moose Recon

2000-Time for some reading and bed time. Cloudy and` rainy. 70F/66F. I hope to sleep tonight without mosquitos.

YouTube Video 

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