One of my friends told me that I was looking for trouble if I went on a trip in a canoe with a motor. They were right, I found trouble but averted disaster. There was a low pressure system to the south spinning up wind and rain from the east. We were headed Northeast on the Moose chain. For a while it wasn't bad, just cool, sprinkly and breezy. Then the wind blew in one foot waves from the east. Spray was coming in on the right side. Ron and I had rain suits on but were still getting wet around the edges. Chloe, the Cocker Spaniel, was soaked and shivering. The 19 foot Grumman square stern with a 5 horse handled it just fine, taking in only about an inch of water in the back of the canoe. The 5 horse would drive us forward as fast as we had the capacity to handle the thrill. We did slow down in the real rough, open areas so less spray would blow into the boat. In the excitement of the journey I got turned around 180 degrees. I didn't realize my mistake until I started seeing the cabins of southern Moose Lake again. My original theory was to follow the right shoreline. This wasn't a bad idea but there were many Islands and bays to lead you astray. Well, we laughed and Ron said he thought we had gotten turned around but wasn't sure. I got out my compass, which I should have been using all the time. I also realized that the world looks different coming at you 8 mph instead of 2 mph. A delightful portage operator advised us to hurry because another storm with hail, rain and wind was on the way. Soon a dark cloud appeared and we opted for the first best campsite we could find. We were unloaded and under the lean-to tarp when the first rain and wind hit. After about 20 minutes it really started to blow and we were thankful that we weren't out on the lake. When the rain stopped we finished making camp, took a coffee break and laughed about about how Missy back at La Tourells said "Have a good time, boys!" We felt like boys on a grand adventure. Of course I have to mention the mosquitoes. They were like fly creatures in an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
7-12-08 At dawn the waves were still rolling down the lake. At 10 am we were loaded and moving towards a new, yet to be determined destination. It required all my novice skill to keep the boat going on a safe course. Constant steering corrections were used to avoid broaching sideways to the 2 foot waves. We proceeded slowly to limit the amount of spray blowing into the boat. As we crested each wave the bow would slap the back side of the wave on the way down. It was a very rough ride even though we were going very slow. We decided we couldn't do this for the 2 hours it would take to get to the other end of the lake, plus the winds were getting stronger. We pulled into a much better campsite than the night before and gladly called it home. After camp was made I took a long, refreshing nap. A cool swim followed by hot coffee segued into a relaxing evening in spite of the rain and occasional storm. After supper we played cribbage. Ron won both games. His good fortune was a couple of 16 cribs. We felt we were stranded on the ocean. Basswood is so big that the wind and waves have miles to build. We have been held here since 11am. Camp life has been pleasant, especially with a good tarp to get under every time it rains. Conversations have been good and Ron likes the food. We've contemplated our future and plan to keep track of the forecast. We may leave Monday or Tuesday if the weather isn't good for Wednesday. The Grumman and 5 horse are much better than last years Old Town Discovery 169 and 2 horse. However, the Grumman is still not good enough for this lake in these weather conditions. The high for the day was 58 and a predicted low of 50. It was so cold that long underwear, a stocking cap and 2 jackets barely kept me warm. We felt lucky to have made it this far. We were curious to see what tomorrow would bring. We hoped for fishing and exploring weather.
7-13-08 The wind was still blowing. We had donuts for breakfast with cinnamon, sugar and lots of coffee. Then a storm came through. One tree in the middle of camp blew down but did no damage. It had the tarp tied to it but broke off above the rope. However, the wind pulled loose 4 stakes on the back of the tarp. It sailed like a spinnaker. The storm was short lived. We were very glad we weren't out fishing when it hit. There had to be 40 mph winds with that burst of meteorological mayhem. We continued to be trapped here for fear of being caught in a storm while traveling or out fishing. We made plans to leave tomorrow if the weather settled. We had dealt with the wind and weather for 3 days now and were getting real antsy. I wanted to explore, fish and see new vistas but it was just foolish to to go our in the boat. Ron went for a walk and Chloe was sleeping about 6 feet away from me. She never left my side. Another long nap was relief from the constant pounding waves and buffeting winds. Ron went fishing in a calm bay west of camp and returned in time to eat supper. At 7:30pm the winds died down and then my soul was content again. The peace that comes over you when the wind settles after 3 days of blowing is unbelievable. Ron had a fire going, it was almost dark. Chloe was laying Ron's chair sleeping. It was a beautiful evening. The stars came out about 11pm.
7-14-08 The lake was still calm this morning and we had a lengthy breakfast before we packed to leave. The trip out was smooth and uneventful. It took only 2 hours including a long wait at the portage. We were glad to be heading home after enduring so many storms and raging winds. Later that day more severe weather rolled through the BWCA and we were happy with our decision to leave.
7-12-08 At dawn the waves were still rolling down the lake. At 10 am we were loaded and moving towards a new, yet to be determined destination. It required all my novice skill to keep the boat going on a safe course. Constant steering corrections were used to avoid broaching sideways to the 2 foot waves. We proceeded slowly to limit the amount of spray blowing into the boat. As we crested each wave the bow would slap the back side of the wave on the way down. It was a very rough ride even though we were going very slow. We decided we couldn't do this for the 2 hours it would take to get to the other end of the lake, plus the winds were getting stronger. We pulled into a much better campsite than the night before and gladly called it home. After camp was made I took a long, refreshing nap. A cool swim followed by hot coffee segued into a relaxing evening in spite of the rain and occasional storm. After supper we played cribbage. Ron won both games. His good fortune was a couple of 16 cribs. We felt we were stranded on the ocean. Basswood is so big that the wind and waves have miles to build. We have been held here since 11am. Camp life has been pleasant, especially with a good tarp to get under every time it rains. Conversations have been good and Ron likes the food. We've contemplated our future and plan to keep track of the forecast. We may leave Monday or Tuesday if the weather isn't good for Wednesday. The Grumman and 5 horse are much better than last years Old Town Discovery 169 and 2 horse. However, the Grumman is still not good enough for this lake in these weather conditions. The high for the day was 58 and a predicted low of 50. It was so cold that long underwear, a stocking cap and 2 jackets barely kept me warm. We felt lucky to have made it this far. We were curious to see what tomorrow would bring. We hoped for fishing and exploring weather.
7-13-08 The wind was still blowing. We had donuts for breakfast with cinnamon, sugar and lots of coffee. Then a storm came through. One tree in the middle of camp blew down but did no damage. It had the tarp tied to it but broke off above the rope. However, the wind pulled loose 4 stakes on the back of the tarp. It sailed like a spinnaker. The storm was short lived. We were very glad we weren't out fishing when it hit. There had to be 40 mph winds with that burst of meteorological mayhem. We continued to be trapped here for fear of being caught in a storm while traveling or out fishing. We made plans to leave tomorrow if the weather settled. We had dealt with the wind and weather for 3 days now and were getting real antsy. I wanted to explore, fish and see new vistas but it was just foolish to to go our in the boat. Ron went for a walk and Chloe was sleeping about 6 feet away from me. She never left my side. Another long nap was relief from the constant pounding waves and buffeting winds. Ron went fishing in a calm bay west of camp and returned in time to eat supper. At 7:30pm the winds died down and then my soul was content again. The peace that comes over you when the wind settles after 3 days of blowing is unbelievable. Ron had a fire going, it was almost dark. Chloe was laying Ron's chair sleeping. It was a beautiful evening. The stars came out about 11pm.
7-14-08 The lake was still calm this morning and we had a lengthy breakfast before we packed to leave. The trip out was smooth and uneventful. It took only 2 hours including a long wait at the portage. We were glad to be heading home after enduring so many storms and raging winds. Later that day more severe weather rolled through the BWCA and we were happy with our decision to leave.
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