Another fun filled day, with lots of boating and talking about boating and even some kite flying. You wish you were here. Although the afternoon produced the Lake Pepin that I had imagined, with whitecaps and waves over the transom. Need an electric pump.. :)
https://picasaweb.google.com/robert.craig/AfterYouPepinMessabout?feat=directlink
Early to rise, headed downriver in a grind that would involve 12 hours, multiple rainstorms, waves to crash over her bow, two lock passages, and a few hours of beautiful scenery and river. Met up with the wonderful folks of the messabout and had a great evening sitting around the fire telling lies, er, stories about many things.
https://picasaweb.google.com/robert.craig/AfterYouPepinBound?feat=directlink
Well, that was exciting! Hidden falls has a boat ramp but today it had a boat parking lot. It was a bit flooded. No matter, Jill and the kids helped me launch quite nicely. Left around five thirty and made good time for a bit. Have to admit the first hundred yards took some getting used to, as the wind and currents were tossing me around. By the time I got to downtown Saint Paul, I wanted to top off my gas tank. Good call, though only half empty, I would end up needing every last drop in the next section.
I took a few minutes at the pier by Navy Island to tape some trash bags over the skylight and then put on the skylight cover. The clouds were graying up a bit and I wanted to be completely sure I kept the cabin dry. It has not yet rained but I am glad I did it for my overnight, just in case.
Ok, I head into an alley of barges and industrial docks and soon after the wind picks up. I am heading right into it and spend a couple miles reenacting various scenes from The Deadliest Catch. Whitecaps, three foot waves, spray coming over the bow completely drenching me, and not a safe harbor in sight. I soldiered on and eventually decided to stop at the landing at my evening halfway point, which was sure to be nearer the end of the evening rather than half way. That was the 694 bridge, and the landing ended up being further underwater than Hidden Falls was. So I skirted behind some islands where the water was calmer and refilled the tank. It was almost empty, so good timing on that one.
Took a backwater behind some more islands and noticed there was a protected channel running up through the island. This is where I dropped anchor for the night as it was twenty minutes to sunset.
Dropped some Pigs Eye Pilsner (felt only appropriate) in the net and dropped it in the river to cool them off. Had a nice cold sandwich and a juice box and here I sit, having a brew on the river in my gently rocking boat. The cabin is small but super cozy now that it is organized, and I am rocking my Android tablet writing this post. Obviously it is easy to type on, as evidenced by the long post.
After the sun set it is quite cool and no bugs to be found. Awesome.
Now to read some pirate adventures by Michael Crichton as darkness falls and the birds in the trees coo me to sleep. It is going to be an early morning to make up for lost time.
More photos in my Picasa Albums
https://picasaweb.google.com/robert.craig/AfterYouDownriver?feat=directlink
The whole family went out to Mantrap lake and had a wonderful cruise. Even got to see some Pelicans and Terns! The kids spent most of the time reading, but Jill and I had a nice time sightseeing. It was chilly and cloudy, but a lovely trip.
We also tested out the new underwater camera. At full speed it's no fun, but at low trolling speeds it's quite interesting. Next step: hook up something that will record the video..
After a long day of off and on rain I got to take her out for a later evening cruise. Bliss.
