Trip Day 7

September 29, woke at 5:10 am and looked at the clock and went back to sleep, too early! Finally, about 5:30 I got up to turn on the heat, since it was cold. Went back to bed and by 6 am I was up for my normal routine. 

After coffee, cookies, and reading I started to dig out ingredients for my pancake breakfast, but it was not to be found! I had broken up a box of mix before leaving home and even labeled the bottles, but evidently they all went on the pantry shelf. So I am short a breakfast! I had cereal and toast and should have enough cereal to get through okay. May just have toast on the last day if I run out?

It is cold out, high 40's and the clouds persist. It was supposed  to be mostly sunny today...just not in my part of the world! I read a book until 10 am to wait for some sun to show but I have the feeling it may never come! I will get my hiking kit ready and maybe leave in about 30 minutes, whether it is sunny or not.

Brown Lake Trail, just south of boat site. This boat site is exposed to NW winds and waves.

Left about 10 am. Used the skiff to motor over to the trail head. Hiked into Oslo Lake, the farthest point at about .9 of a mile. Nice hike but as I turned to go back it started to sprinkle, so much for mostly sunny! 

Brown Lake Trail
(Total distance round trip 1.8 NM, ave. spd 1.2 kt, max spd. 1.5 kt)

Approaching Brown Lake

Brown Lake Launch Site-Voyageurs Park has these pre-placed canoes for rent on inland lakes

Oslo Lake-End of the Trail

By the time I got back to the boat (noon) it was at least partly sunny. I will head to the next spot, Soldier Point West, in the narrows, shortly. 

Brown Lake Trail Head - Boat site in background

Decided to motor through the Kempton Channel again on the way north. A bit out of my way but much better protected from wind and waves. 

Day 7 - Brown's Bay to Soldier Point West (in purple). The destination is just off this map.  You will see it on tomorrow's map. (Sorry satellite tracking failed part way so no complete track today)

Below is a green link to a video of the Kempton Channel, you have to use the link as Blogger does not allow video uploads, even though it shoes the pic below, it will not play.  The link below is to a shared file on Drop Box. It gives you a good idea of the terrain, weather, and the pace. Be patient! Depending on your computer, it may take time to load.

Kempton Channel Video While Underway (20 min)

The landing at the Soldier Point boat site was probably the least attractive I've been to, but it was an interesting tie up and great place for kayaking. Made an early dinner of pizza, with a beer.

Steep tie up, you could walk right off the boat onto shore-but site was not pretty.

My pepperoni, hamburger, and bacon pizza with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. I use parchment paper to ease cleaning of pan.

It was about 4 pm and I decided at the last minute to go kayaking, decided it was just too good to pass up.  (see satellite view of kayaking potential below) 

See excellent kayaking west and northwest of the boat site, shallow and not as likely to be active with boats. Sorry no track for what I explored, phone navigation was left behind by mistake!

The landing was not easy to launch the kayak and I got in too much in a hurry and ended up leaving behind my life jacket (I never do that!), flare kit, camera (navigation) and emergency beacon.  After some difficulty in launching there was no way I was going back. I was determined to be extra careful.

Lots of backwater to explore!

Beautiful quiet evening on the water

Could explore for a couple days and still have plenty to check out

Coming back to the boat for the evening, getting quite chilly at this point in time.

After kayaking, I went up top with my kit for sitting around the fire this eve. There was a half moon coming up so it will be a nice eve, despite being cool.  The fire makes up for it. I hung out until 9 pm and finally came in, though I could have stayed longer. 

Enjoying the evening around the fire ring

Heavy dew was falling with the clear skies and it will be cold tonight, I think they said some freezing around the area. I fired up the heater and will leave it on low tonight. Time for an audio book and sleep, the first quickly leads to the other!

Suitable end to an active day with improved, if not cool, weather.