Road Travel Day 1 - Tuesday
0815-Departed WB in rain which persisted 75% of the way to Bemidji, my home town.
 |
| Rainy Start |
1030-Stopped in Little Falls for brunch and discovered the nav light control switch on the boat had shorted out in the rain. The position lights were illuminated and drawing down the boat's starting battery.
While I had brunch I thought about it and decided to just pull the fuse after breakfast and fix later. Lights went out after the fuse was pulled, as they should.
 |
| First Day's Drive |
I discovered a leak in the cabin on the port side around the window area. The floor inside was wet so I will have to investigate and repair when I get home.
Visited with my sister Mary sitting on her lawn on a fine spring evening. Later my brother Scott and his wife Tracy came by for a couple hours and I did a little show and tell.
1630-Headed to brother Jerry's for dinner. His wife Pam's cooking was so extensive it would put most Thanksgiving dinners to shame!
2000-Headed home to Mary's. Borrowed an electric space heater to avoid putting up the boat's smoke stack. It would be chilly in the morning.
Road Travel Day 2, Trip Day 1 - Wednesday
0500-Got up and made coffee to have with cookies while I did my morning study.
0700-I went into the house and Mary served a full breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast. Good thing since later I would need that extra boost. 41F, cold, windy, and wet this morning!
0815-I was off for VNP.
Just south of Big Falls a moose cow was on the shoulder of the road and just stood there watching me approach. I thought it was someone walking along the road. It was too close before I realized it was a moose with no time to set up a camera!
 |
| Just North of Big Falls |
 |
| 2nd Day's Drive |
Had one "Looky Lou" and gave him a boat card. He took a bunch of photos.
 |
| Ready To Launch |
Despite the wind at the dock I backed out without a problem, No competition for the ramp. Due to the breeze at the time I intended to go to R60, about four miles. However, as I turned to a NE course, expecting more wave action, the wind actually dropped so I continued on to the planned site at R9.
 |
| R9 Boat Site - Very Shallow Shore! |
On arrival the sand beach was so shallow even with the gang plank extended a full 9'. I had to wear my rubber boots and wade in water to get to shore to tie up.
 |
| Gang Plank Still A Long Way From Shore - Had To Wear Boots! |
 |
| Leg 1 Track |
 |
| Rainy Lake West |
I was really bushed and starving by that point! I poured a glass of red wine while making dinner. Chili, salad, rolls, and a cold beer.
Sat on the aft deck after dinner enjoying the view out to the NE but finally ran out of juice and hit the sack.
 |
| View NE |
2000-Later, a gust of wind hit the boat and it went sideways and the gang plank went askew but remained attached to the boat. The extended lines could not prevent the bow from working sideways.
I scrambled to get my clothes back on, get into my boots, and head to shore with longer extensions to broaden the guys for a better hold on alignment. Nothing keeping the bow from shifting.
I was able to pull the boat back into position by pulling hard on the starboard guy and tying it off to a post that had a much wider aspect. I did the same on the port side and then used the 150' line on the bow (1st use) so I had three points of attachment. Perhaps I should have used the bow anchor instead of a long line on the bow?
0930-Back in bed. The wind dropped and stayed light to calm all night. I slept well. So Tired!
No comments:
Post a Comment