Temagami, Ontario - 9/9/2024

Trip Day 4 - Monday (Layover)

0630-Cloudy, calm. 55F/48F.

Early Morning Calm

0740-Bible study verse of the day: "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (Mat 6:26-27)

0820-Prayer and reading done. Time to make breakfast

Cliff Just West Of Boat Site

Drone Shot Of Cliff

0930-Had breakfast, then caught up on chores and washed dishes.

Pulled up the kayak to dry everything out. 

Kayak Drying Out From Several Days Of Rain

Listened to an audio book and downloaded the latest version of the DJI Go 4 app. Flew the drone to ensure the app functioned correctly. 

Homebuilt Aft Bimini Solar Framework With Two 120w Portable Panels

Charging My Backup Solar Battery

Checked firewood possibilities.

1610-Had dinner of chicken wild rice soup, with salad, rolls, and white wine. 

I plan to cut firewood tomorrow and check out the portage.  

Will Explore This Portage

Portage Shown On Chart

Will head ashore to listen more to my new audio book "You Shouldn't Have Come Here" by Jeneva Rose.

My Perch For Listening To Audio Book or Music

1915-I spent the evening checking out more firewood potential and the portage which turns out to be adjacent to the site. I listened to more of the audiobook and enjoyed sitting ashore taking in the beautiful evening surroundings.

Trash Left Behind By Users - Disgusting!

Firewood harvesting is on the docket for tomorrow along with an exploratory trip of the portage shown on the map to see if it is worthwhile to portage the kayak over. It has been a great day!

Beautiful Day - Really Enjoyed The Site

Good Shot Of Guys Holding The Stern In Position

You Tube Video

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Temagami, Ontario - 9/8/2024

Trip Day 3 - Sunday

0700-50F/42F.

Slept in! Did wake about 0200 and read a couple of chapters in my e-book before getting back to sleep again. Some waves in the anchorage made it more difficult to get a sound sleep with their slapping against the hull. 

Time to make coffee to have with my cookies during study time.

0810-Finished Bible study. The verse from my study today is: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Mat 5:44-45)

0820-Prayer time.

0900-Morning study time is over, time to make breakfast. I plan to make French toast.

1020-Finished breakfast of bacon, French toast, and fresh squeezed O.J, great! I will check weather and be on my way shortly.

1150-Weather was not favorable for making the long leg so I moved another 1/2 mile to try to find an anchorage with better internet so I can fix the failed apps I need. I will wash the dishes and reevaluate then.

Moved 1/2 Mile SW For Better Internet - Weather Is Not Good

1330-Weather looks good now. I've accomplished my internet duties and the apps are now functioning again.  So, I'm off! Winds are down to 11 mph and decreasing. Rain stopped.

Underway - Autopilot Remote In Hand

1640-Arrived at a boat site on Cross Lake, a connecting body of water with Temagami. 17.1 miles traveled.

Nice Boat Site - But Campers Left A Lot Of Trash!

Leg 2 - 17.1 Miles

A break in the weather made me change plans and move on from the initial change of anchorage even though it was later than usual. Wind dropped, rain stopped, and clouds began to break up later on and the move turned out to be a good decision.

Destination - Leg 2

I tried to stop at a closer desirable site but a tent was set up, so I kept going to an alternative site. Thank the Lord it was open, since it was late in the day.

Need to get a steak ready to grill.

1815-Finished steak tenderloin with smoked potatoes, salad, rolls, and red wine. Skies are now clear, winds are calm. 74F/64F. Windows are now open to cool the cabin! Quite the change from the low of 42F early this morning!

I'm thawing strawberries for ice cream later. I should be able to sit out on the aft deck this evening.

Moon Setting With The Sun

Took some photos on the aft deck and sat for a while sipping some red wine and enjoying the quiet evening with the sun setting and the flat calm waters. A real joy since this mornings cold wind and rain!

But it finally got too cool to sit outside so I came into the cabin. The cabin had already cooled down to 67F so I fired up the heater since ice cream and strawberries were my dessert. Already down to 51F outside! I'm definitely experiencing fall weather. 

Beautiful Evening Sunset

2015-Already late so I will hit the sack, read my e-book and drift off to sleep when I feel like it.

Caught It Before It Went Over The Horizon

Temagami, Ontario - 9/7/2024

Trip Day 2 - Saturday (Layover Day)

0630-56F/47F. Fired up the heater. First mouse of the trip caught!

0650-Coffee brewing. Time to dig out some Pecan Sandies.  My go to cookies for coffee during my morning study.

0740-Finished my study. Verse of the day: "Jesus answered, It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Mat 4:4)

0830-Finished prayer and reading. Time for breakfast. Need to decide my next move.

0850-It's too windy to go out on the long axis of the Lake in NNW winds of 16 mph and higher gusts. Considering moving to a nearby anchorage to get internet and better shelter from wind and waves.

Breakfast done, will wash dishes after I move.

1045-I moved to an anchorage about 1/2 mile away to get out of the gusty winds coming through the narrows. 

Move To Better Shelter From NNW Winds

Getting off the windward shore proved to be even more of a challenge than landing yesterday! Gusty winds did not allow me to keep the boat stable with power.

I jumped off and back on three times trying to at least get close to a stable position. I finally just threw all the lines onto the boat, jumped aboard, and gave full throttle astern to get away from the rocky shore.

The anchorage is more peaceful but deeper than I like at 20'. Saw some logs in shallow water so put out a trip line with float.

Looking WSW In Cross Bay - Soggy Day!

Still no internet after the move. It seems open, but apparently not enough. Dishes are done.

Not sure if it is worth moving again to get internet or not. I need open skies to the north. I'll think about it. I probably won't nap since I slept 10.5 hours last night.

I discovered Starlink was not getting sufficient power from the Bluetti AC200P - PD (2.0) outlet with only 60W max output. So I switched to a 100W 12vdc PD adapter which seemed to help. The jury is still out. I'm a bit disappointed at the sketchy connection with satellites compared to my Zoleo communicator.

1220-My presence here attracted three fishing boats but haven't seen anyone catch anything. Lots of boats, there must be fish! At least I suspect that's what they think.

1450-Rain is coming down steady. Great napping weather but I had too much sleep last night to nap.

Rain and More Rain!

I've been working most of the afternoon downloading audio and e-books, checking critical email, and looking for solutions since both my DJI Mimo and Go 4 apps will no longer function. This is serious since my drone uses the Go 4 app to fly and Mimo is used for my P2 and Osmo cameras. The apps failed on my drive up and I have no idea why.

I'm trying to download the latest APK but my internet connection has been too weak and it keeps cutting off the download. If I could maintain speed for just 10 minutes I would have it! I'm on my fifth try!

1850-Made pizza for dinner. Salad and a cold beer to accompany. Bailey's over ice cream for dessert. Finished the movie "Red". Pretty good. 

It is still pouring down rain. Pumped out the bilge again. 

Trip Buoy Setup

Will climb into bed and read the e-book "Rattlesnake Cafe", part of the Kindle Bud Shumway series by Chinle Miller.

YouTube Video

(Click to Play)

Temagami, Ontario - 9/6/2024

Trip Day 1 - Friday

0600-Raining. Made coffee to have with cookies during my Bible study time. Verse for the day: 

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'" (Mat 3:16-17)

0730-Finished my prayer time.

0740-Finished reading my morning book. Then made breakfast.

0820-Breakfast done. Pumped the bilge. Starting to rain hard. I may have to wait a bit to take the keys for the truck up to the office before departure.

A Rainy Start To The Day

Departing Leisure Island Houseboats - Leg 1

How I Protect Nav Tablets In Rain

1215-Arrived at the first boat site for the trip in Little Cross Bay Narrows. Tough approach to the landing in a strong breeze off starboard quarter pushing me sideways and down onto rocks. Had to crab into the shore and try to hold the boat with power but she went sideways on me!

Leg 1 - Part One

Leg 1 - Part 2

Destination Boat Site - Leg 1

 

Cross Wind Made Arrival At Boat Site A Challenge!

First Boat Site Of Trip - A Challenge In Side Winds!

Eventually I got it but had to tie and re-tie lines for better position and smoother rocks to prevent bottom damage to the boat. Boat site is nice but everything is wet with all the rain. No firewood, but rain is forecast for a couple of days anyway.

Stone Fire Ring & Bench

WNW wind at 9 mph. Temps 61F/54F. Sun may show on Tuesday.

Even with cloud cover the aft panels (on Bimini) brought the solar battery (Bluetti AC200P) back up to 100%.  The cabin top panels brought the primary house (Li-ion 230 Ahr) battery up to 13.4 volts which is pretty good. The house is powering the fridge system which is my biggest draw.

Little Cross Bay

1400-68F/55F. Heater is on low. I'm very hungry so I made my baguette cheese crisps to have with some white wine. Sent out messages that all was well despite the foul weather.

Starlink, the new addition for this trip, was not getting sufficient satellites so was unusable. Too much tree cover around me. I may have to anchor out or drift if I want to check email. Zoleo still works great.

Full Cloud Cover - Solar Still Working

1445-Set all four mouse traps anticipating illicit boarders common this time of year. Also put out the peppermint balls that are supposed to be a deterrent. We'll see?

Could use a nap but it's too late in the afternoon to do that.

1830-Made shrimp gumbo, salad, rolls, and red wine for dinner. Had Bailey's and two chocolate truffles for dessert. Since weather is so unpleasant, I'm watching the movie "Red" on my tablet and using my stereo speakers for sound. Very enjoyable.

1920-Watched only half of the movie, will finish later. Time for bed and reading out of my e-book "Rattlesnake Cafe", part of the Kindle Bud Shumway series by Chinle Miller.

NOTE: See Temagami, Ontario, 9/7/25, for YouTube video of this day

Temagami, Ontario - 9/4 & 5/2024

Road Trip - Wednesday the 4th (1st of 2 days Driving)

Staging For Departure

0645-Drove 468 miles with a stop in Hudson, WI to purchase a deep cycle starting battery for the outboard. I don't trust the old one, it seemed weak on the Long Lake trip.

I got up about 0340 remembering I left the rear boat camera on. So, I  went out to look and the battery voltage was about 12.1. I was concerned with that voltage since the camera draws so little. Charging had seemed slow too. 

Last trip the outboard almost didn't start a couple times so I made a last minute purchase for peace of mind. Thus the stop in Hudson to pick one up at Walmart.

I later stopped for fuel and food in Marinette, WI. A DQ burger and shake hit the spot.

Arriving Newberry, MI - My Overnight Stop

1730-Arrived Newberry, MI. No issues enroute. Sunny all day, mid 70's, pleasant. Had a beer and chips for a snack. 

Used Hotel Parking

Large Lot For The Most Part Unused, One Long Haul Truck Joined Me

White Bear Lake, MN to Newberry, MI (468 Miles)

1900-Made dinner. Chili, rolls, and salad with another cold beer.

1950-I will have a glass of wine and some chocolates then check weather before bed.

Road Trip - Thursday the 5th (2nd of 2 days Driving)

0520-Woke up with a jolt, no alarm! Phone went dead but truck traffic woke me up. It was a scramble to get some coffee, make breakfast, and get on the road in a timely manner.

0620-Finally on the road. Clear sky, sun in my eyes. 

My camera app (DJI Mimo) failed so no video today!

Newberry, MI to Temagami, Ontario (358 Miles)

1515-Arrived in the town of Temagami. The drive was 358 miles and beautiful. Border crossing went smoothly. Construction along route slowed me down in places and a few missed turns did not help.  Had to back across a busy highway at one point to get turned around. Blind turns in both directions made it scary to do but I pulled it off. Thank the Lord!

Arrived Leisure Island Houseboats - Temagami, Ontario

On arrival I checked in at the office but Gwen was on the phone so I went back to the boat since I had a lot of work to do.

1745-Mike returned from his trip for auto service in North Bay. I decided to launch today since rain was forecast for the morning. It's best to avoid a launch and setup in the rain. Launch went okay. 

Launch Ramp At End Of Wharf - Leisure Island Houseboats

Mike offered a slip to tie up which made the overnight go smoothly and facilitated an early start in the morning.

1830-Went for dinner with the family (Mike, Gwen, & Abby). After my return I finished some outside boat work using my head lamp. I wanted to be finished before the rain arrived and ensure everything was ready for the morning departure. 

NOTE: See Temagami, Ontario, 9/7/25, for YouTube video of this day

Long Lake, Ontario - 7/7 & 8/2024

Trip Day 18 - Sunday (7th, 1st of 2 day road trip home)

0450 EDT-64F in the cabin at wake up time, quite warm!

0630-Study time and breakfast are finished so I'm preparing to depart the anchorage. Forgot to write down the Bible reference for the day!

0730-Arrived at the dock (3.4 Miles). Other than two boats trying to lunch at the same time, pull out went smoothly.

Final Leg - Leg 13 (3.4 miles)

0950-Wrapping up last of the road prep work. I will get another cool drink and be on my way.

Pulling Out

Palisades Area - North of Town of Nipigon

1400-Stopped for cheese, crackers, nuts, and white wine along the highway between Nipigon and Thunder Bay. It hit the spot since I was getting quite hungry.

1540 CDT-Arrived in Grand Marais and parked at my usual spot at the Church.

Overnight Parking On The Street

1700-Met my sailing friends at the "Brewery" for beer and snacks then we all went out for dinner at a local restaurant.

2020-Killed a lot of time telling sailing stories over dinner. Now back to the boat it is time to read then sleep.

Road Trip- Monday (8th, 2nd of 2 day road trip home)

0410-Slept well.

0605-Study done, making breakfast. Should be off by 6:30 and home by 1 pm.

Silver Creek Cliff - North of Two Harbors, MN

1300-Arrived home. Drive home went smoothly.

YouTube Video

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