Return to WhimSea's Home Port. WhimSea's Log - June 2010

Archives for: June 2010

06/30/10

Permalink 04:54:21 pm, Categories: Adventures, 254 words   English (US)

Five Finger Bay

We're off to the next anchorage having left the idyllic Hay Bay behind us. The wind, what little there is, is on our nose. Once we get into the open water, we'll both get in a shower and we'll feel much better, I'm sure.

We traveled the bay and both did get in a shower. I was right, I felt great. We made our way around the tip of the island with very little help from the sails since the wind was contrary, vague and undecided.

After rounding Blake Point, we went past a number of small islands and islets to enter into Five Finger Bay where we elected to stay for the evening. We had decided to anchor in an unnamed bay closer inland then Stockly Bay. It was certainly narrower then we typically anchor in, but the anchor was well set in a bed of mud (based on Troy's sounding lead) and eventually we became comfortable with the narrowness.


The anchorage was beautiful. Little islands and islets all around, loons, mergansers, all sorts of waterfowl. Not another boat in sight.

I pulled out my drawing supplies and spent some time with charcoal and paper. Troy couldn't resist the desire and he picked it up as well.

While I was doing the dishes, Troy was up in the cockpit when a seagull landed on the dinghy's gunnel. I named him Mike and he spent quite a bit of time out there.

Afterwards, we played some 500 Rummy and then we were off to bed.

06/29/10

Permalink 04:43:37 pm, Categories: Adventures, 160 words   English (US)

A day in Hay Bay

We awoke on Tuesday to some pretty healthy wind and no urge to go anywhere. Though we haven't been able to tune in weather radio specifically for the island, the Rock of Ages light was reporting winds of 18 mph gusting to 22. We were snug in Hay Bay with really no reason to move if we didn't want to. Troy mapped out some potential routes for Thunder Bay that skipped Rock Harbor and went to an anchorage for Wednesday night that would allow us to run to Thunder Bay. Not sure yet which we would pick, I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

So, we decided on a rather lazy day. Troy laid down for a nap and I pulled out my painting supplies and painted some rocks that I had brought along with us. Afterward, some relaxing reading.

When Troy got up we sat on the fore deck in chairs and enjoyed a beer (or two) and watched some eagles play.

06/28/10

Permalink 04:25:02 pm, Categories: Adventures, 361 words   English (US)

Windigo, Hay Bay and our First FISH!!!!

We left Windigo around noon, after some breakfast. In leaving Washington Harbor, we saw a fox walking along the shore and a bald eagle in the trees along the harbor. Beautiful. We slipped through the gap at Grace Harbor and headed towards Siskiwit Bay where we intended to spend the night and maybe do a little fising. We weren't sure if we would stay on Wright Island or Hay Bay, it sort of depended on the wind and if others were around. We were looking forward to a secluded anchorage and no people in sight.

We headed out a bit and did the dishes and each had a shower. It feels so good to take a shower under way. Luxurious. The sun came out and it turned into a really great day.

We motored into Sisiwit and Troy proceeded to set down lines. I picked out a lot of the lures and stick bait, but Troy determined depth and what to use, Dipsy, Deeper Diver, Yellowbird, etc. I did insist we leave one line on top, with all the little annoying bugs around, it just made sense to me... and boy was I right!


We caught a Coho! Troy reeled it in which meant I was on net duty, which I've never done before. Troy was thinking I'd go down to the swim platform but I was worried about falling overboard, so I didn't. Course, then I was worried I'd drop the damn net in the lake. In the end, I grasped the net with both hands and plunged it in the water and scooped up the fish. This would be Troy's first filleting job, so some meat was left on the bones for the gulls and other fish. There was plenty left over though so we could both eat our fill.

While Troy was washing the ick off the deck, I went below and cleaned off the knife and board and got a plank soaking. We grilled the fish on a cedar plank and it was absolutely amazing. Fresh salmon.

After dinner, we played some cards and Troy kicked my but in scrabble before heading to bed. An awesome day.

06/27/10

Permalink 03:19:49 pm, Categories: Adventures, 98 words   English (US)

Arrive at Windigo

We arrived at the Windigo Ranger Station by 2:45 on Sunday afternoon. We docked and got checked in, and while checking in, a moose walked by the window of the office. How cool is that! One of the rangers told me one of the females has two calves this year. This is obviously not here since she's by herself, but she stopped on the trail and called out in that low throated way they have... maybe she was saying hello!

By 4:00 central, we were in the cockpit enjoying a martini with fishing lines over the side. Life is good.

06/26/10

Permalink 02:27:01 pm, Categories: Adventures, 532 words   English (US)

June 26, 2010

We got up early and finish off the vacation preparation tasks (added a couple of pole holders, watered up, fueled up, pumped out) and were away from the fuel dock by 3:15. We got a great send off from the marina with well wishes from Marina Mates.

The lake was a bit lumpy and surprisingly foggy given there wasn't a lot of fog at the marina when we left. We have 120.7 nautical miles to go to reach our destination in Washington Harbor on Isle Royale. The wind we have is from the Northeast (direction we're heading, of course) at about 10-12 knots. If it were favorable, we'd be sailing a bit at least, but its not.

After leaving the marina, we threaded the nets and then set Bob (our auto helm) for our way point. Troy and I took turns at the helm, four hours on and four hours off throughout the night.

At 5:00pm the fog lifted enough that I could see quite a distance. The Minnesota shoreline (which we were paralleling) was a dark blue shape on the port side with fog hanging tenaciously at the line where water meets the land.

The bumpiness of the lake had settled down a bit and the sun feels warm on my back. Since I can see so much more, being under the dodger isn't an issue. I don't need the radar anymore, but we'll leave it on since we're travelling through the night and it makes sense to have it on.

8:00pm I went below to put on more layers and when I came back topside, the fog had lifted. It hadn't so much as lifted as went higher in the sky. When I looked up, I could see the tendrils and the underside of the fog above us. Minnesota is still a dark blue mass barely visible and still shrouded in fog. I can see patches of blue sky above us and hope the clearing holds. If it does, we'll have a full moon tonight.

We're likely to arrive sometime tomorrow, probably around lunch time and it would be nice to see the stars.

At 9:15 we were abreast Silver Bay with a cruise ship a one and a half miles off our starboard beam. It's kind of wild to see. When it came from astern of us (from Duluth), it was hard to guess what it was for sure.

I should also mention that the sun came out just long enough to send great splashes or orange and red behind the fog still on shore. Magnificent

A couple of times in the night, rain fell. It was like the fog let go its moisture. The kind of rain where the lake looks like its reaching up towards the sky.

At 6:00pm the world starts to close in again. The fog is returning and with it the damp air. Minnesota is a darker grey spot beneath the white. The sun a glowing orb in the mist. There's nothing on the radar, not even land anymore. Visibility is about a 1/2 a mile. We could be heading into absolutely nothingness for all I could tell. We're alone on the planet, or the lake at any rate.

06/25/10

Permalink 07:17:25 pm, Categories: Adventures, 33 words   English (US)

June 25, 2010

We arrived at the marina late on Friday night, after completing last minute preparations at home. There are so many things to do to get ready for vacation and time just slips away.

06/20/10

Permalink 07:12:40 pm, Categories: Adventures, 59 words   English (US)

June 19-20, 2010

Another weekend of getting things ready on the boat for our trip. It seems there are always more tasks to do then a person thinks. We took off some things that would make room for two weeks worth of stuff and finalized our vacation meals with Dave & Debi. I can't wait until next weekend when we sail away!

06/13/10

Permalink 06:00:58 pm, Categories: Adventures, 335 words   English (US)

June 11-13 Pirate Weekend!

Wow, what a busy week and it all lead up to this weekends Yacht Club festivities. Troy and I arrived at the marina late on Friday (around midnight) after completing last minute tasks for Saturday's Pirate Day. Saturday morning we were up bright and early and ran out to the Mocha Moose for a jolt of caffeine and sugar (their cinnamon rolls are amazing!). Afterward we met up with a bunch of folks at the clubhouse and starting laying out the days plans, completing left over tasks and setting up for the event.

With all the help we had (thank you everyone!) we were able to get everything set up, head back to the boat for a quick sandwich and change in time for the festivities.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary kicked off the days events with a talk about boating safety geared towards the kids. He did a great job explaining safety tips, teaching the kids knots and talking about water safety.

Afterward, the kids all signed up to be pirates for the day. We held gunnery practice where we tried to hit the dinghy (with Billy Bones propped up in the back) with potatoes, then the group leaders went in search of the Sea Witch. The Sea Witch sent the kids in search of articles that would buy the treasure map. Eventually, the treasure was found and divided among the crew. Which they promptly spent to buy treasures and treats.

The pirate festivities ended in time for us to change into slightly warmer clothes (this being the coldest pirate day we've had), whip together our broccoli salad and join the Yacht Club's social hour already in progress. We had an excellent potluck dinner, a great time visiting with friends and more cannon fire as candy was shot all over the parking lot.

On Sunday, we got a chance to sleep in a little bit, then it was back to work as more tasks came off our to do list in preparation for our vacation.

Permalink 04:25:12 pm, Categories: Adventures, 98 words   English (US)

June 5-6

We decided to head up on Saturday morning, instead of Friday, since we had a lot to do at home and this weekend was to be a working weekend anyway. We arrived at the marina sometime around lunch time and got to work on our projects: Replace the bilge pump, interior lighting, cleaning.... there was a pretty long list and we knew we wouldn't get to everything, but would get done what we could.

A pretty productive weekend, though unfortunately one without any sailing getting done. Oh well, since it's getting us ready for our vacation, that's OK.

06/03/10

Permalink 04:21:17 pm, Categories: Adventures, 16 words   English (US)

Tall Ships are coming to Duluth, summer of 2010

Follow the link if you'd like to see the associated content article on the 2010 Tall Ships.

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