Sunday

SPAR ISLAND

September 21, 2010 
Distance: 21 NM
Vessel: 'Joan' C&C 38
We departed Thompson Island first thing in the morning at 0600, bound for a hike on Spar Island and then going back to Cloud Bay (our final destination). At 0800 we arrived in the anchorage at Spar Island.  We set the anchor, took the dinghy to shore and did the two most scenic lookouts!  It was so nice to hike in the fall.  All of us were so happy to end the trip with these spectacular walks. Around 1115 we were back on the boat, eating lunch and moving in slow gear. The winds were beginning to pick-up closer to 20 knots from the South West, we lifted anchor just before noon and started to motor sail towards Cloud Bay. We all got sprayed really good that day.  The winds were funneling between all the Islands and the Main Land.  Once we got 'Joan' back into her homeport of Cloud Bay we experienced a little problem with the mooring line and our propeller.  I'll just leave it at that.  It got caught, and then untangled with some effort from everyone.  Packed all our belongings, the food and did a couple trips to and from the dock.  It was a wonderful experience to have gone with Malcolm Rogerson, Zack Kruzin and Krista Patterson.  Lake Superior will always have a place in my heart and hopefully I get to re-explore Isle Royale some day.  :) peace. 
Seas: 1.5m
Wind: 15 – 25 knots, South West
Breakfast: bagels and jam.
Lunch: everything left behind!






THOMPSON ISLAND


September 20, 2010
Distance: 0 NM
Vessel: 'Joan' C&C 38
Spent approximately 5 hours in the Sauna at Thompson Island. It was the best day in ages.  Washing our hair three times each, jumping in the freezing bay after heating the sauna all morning.  We went hiking and took pictures from the lookouts.  The day started off sunny and then overcast and stronger winds from the North East in the later part of the afternoon.
Seas: 0.5m
Wind: 10-18 knots East North East
Breakfast: not applicable!
Lunch:  Quesadillas!
Dinner: more snacks.






ISLE ROYALE, 88 Nautical Miles

September 19, 2010
Distance: 88 NM
Vessel: 'Joan' C&C 38 
We decided to make a push for Thompson Island, back to Canada. Instead of staying to explore the north side of Isle Royale.  Everyone onboard was craving a sauna and not looking forward to the rough seas coming ahead in the next couple of days.  So, we left the dock from Rock Harbor at 0910 and making our way around Blake Pt. around 1000.  It was sad to say goodbye to Isle Royale, but we were all so excited for the long day of sailing across Superior and watching the depths.  750ft at one point!  That’s awfully deep if you ask me.  We had pre-made wraps, so we wouldn’t need to cook while sailing. Each taking our turns at the helm.  I think that was my longest day on the wheel.  Instead of aiming directly for Thompson Island, we decided to go towards the Sleeping Giant and go for speed and then tack our way towards our destination later on.  Sibley Peninsula was slowly getting bigger and bigger.  As the sun was setting we encountered two other ships in the commercial shipping lane.  Cooked our curry with the gimbaled stove.  Zack was beyond excited to be cooking while ‘Joan’ was healing at 35degrees.  It was a long day, but loads of fun… Krista got a little sea sick at one point and then got fresh air and came back to her old self.  Around 2230 we arrived at the docks in Wray Bay on Thompson Island and rafted up with another sailboat.  
Seas: less than 1m
Wind:  10-15 knots
Breakfast: fruits
Lunch: Wraps (elk, cheese, spinach, avocadoes, tomatoes, onions,etc.)
Dinner: Curry Chicken and some hot chocolate with tim tams for dessert.


Sibley Peninsula near sunset. 

Malcolm and the sexy pink mittens

2010 Boating Permit


Rail Bait... Zack.Krista. Me

Cooking Curry on the stove.

Traffic on Superior. 

Saying Goodbye to Isle Royale!

ISLE ROYALE, Rock Harbor

September 18, 2010
Distance: 17 NM
Vessel: 'Joan' C&C 38
0700 Departed from Chippewa Harbor heading East for Rock Harbor.  We got woken-up with the anchor dragging along the deck…lol at 0615 'This is your captain speaking, get out of the fart sac' Each day of the trip we slept our mornings away, except for this morning. 0805 navigated through the Middle Islands Passage just next to the Rock Harbor Lighthouse. Arrived at the Rock Harbor Dock around 0915, looking for ice, fuel, and a pumpout.  All were unavailable! So we re-attempted to go sailing and make our way to Daisy Farmm to go hiking.  The winds were a little too strong and our engine started to seize again.  Sediments?  Who knows? On our way back on the Lake went through Smithwick Channel (between Raspberry I. and Smithwick I.) a few nasty shoals to look for, but overall really deep if you can read the water.  We had an eventful sail and go a little wet!
Repairs: The lazy jacks broke because of the tension on the mainsail.  
Seas: 1m
Wind: 20 knots South South West, building in the afternoon. 
Breakfast: Granola, Fruit and Yogurt
Lunch: N/A gorp, snacks and nuts. 
Dinner: Smokies, Veggies and enjoyed them with our friend Todd.
Friend: Todd from St.Paul, Minnesota. 


ISLE ROYALE, Chippewa Harbor


September 17, 2010
Distance: 15 NM
Vessel: 'Joan' C&C 38
Departed from Malone Bay at 1150, engine encountered some troubles as we were sailing out of the bay.  It might have been clogged with sediments from the fuel.  We quickly raised the main and started to tack and do a few circles to troubleshoot the engine. 
The choppy seas probably stirred the fuel and once we got into the calmer seas the engine was back to normal. 
1500 –Arrived in Chippewa Harbor (anchored at the head of the bay), where we enjoyed the silence and shelter from the strong winds.  Ate our lunch.  Met some canoeist who needed matchers or a lighter. 1700-1900 we hiked 5km’s up to Lake Ritchie on the Indian Portage Trail and back. Cooked dinner and then eventually went to bed after Ginger showed up.
Seas: 1-2m
Wind: 18 knots South SouthWest
Breakfast: Bagels with Cream Cheese and Jam
Lunch: Wraps (elk, cheese, spinach, avocadoes, tomatoes, onions, etc.)
Dinner: Deer Steaks, Corn on the Cob, Potatoes and grilled veggies
Friends: ‘Ginger’ and ‘Kevin’ from a small open cockpit powerboat.
Natalie & Krista... top of the hill at the Chippewa Harbor Campground.

ISLE ROYALE, Rest Day @ Malone Bay


September 16, 2010
Distance: 0 NM
We hiked all the way up to Siskiwit Lake, along the Ishpeming Trail where we met a couple from Idaho. She was staying to read and he was going kayaking and fishing at the same time. 
Krista and I went for quick dip off the dock, OH MY GOD... Freezing cold! Lucky for us the September Sun was able to warm us up!!!  The winds were really strong and from the SSE, so we decided to stay where we were.  
Seas: Overcast in the A.M., sunny and clear in afternoon
Wind: 20-25 knots, South South East
Breakfast: Granola, Fruit and Yogurt
Lunch: N/A. GORP while hiking, chocolate too
Dinner: Wild Rice Sausages.

ISLE ROYALE, Malone Bay



September 15, 2010
Distance: 16.5 NM
Vessel: 'Joan' C&C 38
Morning Swim/FastDip!
An afternoon bushwalk up the hill to take pictures and look at Hay Bay from above. Menagerie Island, we took a close look at the Isle Royale Lighthouse! Sailed from Hay Bay to Malone Bay.
Navigated inside the channel.  Met a couple hikers
Seas: less than 1 metre
Wind: 5-10 knots
Breakfast: Omelets with greasy bacon
Lunch: Wraps (elk, cheese, spinach, avocadoes, tomatoes, onions, etc.) Fully loaded!
Dinner: Chili!

ISLE ROYALE, Hay Bay

September 14, 2010
Distance: 29 NM
Vessel: 'Joan' C&C 38
Departed from Washington Harbor @ 1230 arrived in Siskiwit Bay @ 1645. Passed between Booth Island and Barnum Island, in a nice and narrow channel.  Sailed around the South West tip of Isle Royale, passed Cumberland Pt.  From the water Rainbow Cove looked like it had a nice and sandy beach.  We passed Point Houghton and headed West to explore the dock at the Siskiwit Campground.  Unsuccessful!  It was a little too shallow for 'Joan' to tie up at the dock or even get near it.  So, we continued motor-sailing and went into Hay Bay.  
1830 Anchored in Hay Bay, and tied a stern line to the campground dock.  Walked around just before sunset and found an outhouse.   
Seas: less than 1m
Wind: 10 knots South SouthWest
Breakfast: Granola, Fruit and Yogurt
Lunch: Wraps (elk, cheese, spinach, avocadoes, tomatoes, onions, etc.)
Dinner: Deer Steaks, Rice and Broccoli
Hay Bay Anchoring


no-sails...

ISLE ROYALE 2010, Windigo

View entering Washington Harbor on Sailing Vessel 'Joan'


September 13, 2010
Distance: 18 NM
Vessel: 'Joan' C&C 38
Departed Cloud Bay @ 1345 arrived in Washington Harbour at 1745
Windigo Visitor Centre
Krista drove the boat for most of the crossing from just outside Cloud Bay to the narrow entrance near Isle Royale.
Seas: 1.5m
Wind: 15 knots West
Snacks: gummy worms
Dinner: Hamburgers (1/2 lb) many many toppings and delicious cheese!

MAKING YOGURT



Begin with store bought yogurt. ‘Made with live cultures’. I use Natural Balkan Style yogurt. 
·      You can freeze your starter yogurt in ice cube trays so that it is convenient to have on hand. 
TOOLS:
·      Thermometer
·      8 cups milk
·      ½ cup of yogurt starter
·      2 quart sized canning jars
·      Pot
Pour your milk into a large cooking pot. Heat the milk up to 185 degrees. Allow the milk to cool down to 110 degrees. The cooling can take a long time. If you want to speed the process up fill your sink with cold water and place the pot of hot milk in the 
water and stir and stir. The temperature drops fairly quickly this way, so make sure to have your thermometer handy to keep checking. 


After you reach 110 degrees add the remaining ingredients and stir until everything is dissolved very well. Pour this mixture into your ready and waiting jars. Put the lids on and put them into what ever place you are planning to incubate and culture them. The dehydrator works wonders.  Making Yogurt setting. Leave them there for 10 to 12 hours. Try not to disturb the jars to much. When the yogurt is firm it is time to remove them and put them in the refrigerator to get nice and cold. Usually 12 to 24 hours. If you make and incubate the yogurt during the day it can refrigerate overnight and be ready for breakfast the next day.
If you would like flavored yogurt you add fresh cut up fruit or a little bit of flavored jam when you are serving your yogurt. 

NEYS PROVINCIAL PARK

June - August 2010
Started working for the Ministry of Natural Resources, as a Marketing Assistant/Natural Heritage Education.  Complicated title... fairly simple job.  We went on a business trip to Neys Provincial Park, along the coast of Lake Superior.  See attached photographs. 

Up Close and Personal


Sleeping Giant Provincial Park/Sibley Peninsula

Neys Provincial Park

Shadows

Hiking 


Jack Pine


Oliver the Cat

The Bounty... Tall Ship from Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Lake Superior North Shore, Silver Harbour

Cat and Ruth swimming

Cliff Jumping. 


Walsh - Hansen Wedding. August 2010