Our motto for this trip has always been that as soon as things stop being fun, we will stop paddling. Following this last encounter of almost running out of food and spending most of August watching the water instead of paddling has pushed this trip into the no fun realm. We came on this trip to live on Lake Superior and we did. Mom's dream was to see the entire shore of the lake and it just so happens she has seen the remainder of the shore in previous years. That being said, we have decided to end our trip here in Nipigon. The weather is changing very rapidly and sooner than expected. Even the locals are surprised at the winds this season. September could be calm, but it could be worse...hard to say. All we know is that the most isolated part of the shore is yet to come and getting off the lake on our own accord now is much better than being rescued later for any number of reasons. We have seen the many sides of Lake Superior and have been more than happy to have the pleasure to live on her for 75 days.
Mom is going to come back and finish...perhaps even add to this blog to complete the journey. I am off to wherever the wind blows. Virginia first, and then Vermont for my dog, jeep, and kayak. I know I have caught the expedition bug and will be eagerly awaiting my next adventure...wherever it may be.
I would like to thank everybody who has been supporting us along the way (even you readers at home!!). Should you have any questions, comments, or just want to keep in touch, I encourage you to email me: ndromany@gmail.com. Keep your eyes on the SPOT page, I will be adding pictures as soon as I get them onto my computer at home.
Thanks again and I hope to see you on the water someday!!!
Andrea and Brenda
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Day 74- August 26, 2010
Today: 9.79 mi
Trip: 996.19 mi
At 4 AM we woke up to listen to the radio. Our little window of opportunity was closing. The south winds were now predicted to arrive by noon...not good. Mom and I got up and started to evaluatee our options. We narrowed them down to two. The first would be to run for Rossport in the dark and hope to not get caught in the subsiding north wind or building south winds while crossing one of three channels. Our second was to head back toward Bowman Island where there is a fishing camp and hope to catch a ride to the mainland for supplies.
After much debating we agreed better to play it safe then risk being wind bound on another island with no food. We headed back.
Just as soon as we rounded the corner back behind Armour Island we were stopped by a small motor boat. Russ and Sharon greeted us kindly and asked where we were heading. We told them and they invited us to their camp to have coffee. We could even have a ride back to the mainland if we needed. We went in to see their camp. Apparently we had landed in the Embassy of Nirivia. We were presented with articles describing Nirivia and this little piece of paradise. Russ even radioed down to the fish camp to see if they could give us a ride into Nipigon. Gary Lange operator of the camp said he could and after a wonderful breakfast we said farewell to our new friends Russ, Sharon, and William.
Feeling better about our decision to go back we paddled on. We were serenaded by loons and even saw a bear walking the shore. The south winds started to pick up before noon and we were very certain we had made the right decision.
Soon we were at Bowman Island Charters and we breathed a long sigh of relief. Gary Lange welcomed us to his camp. There was a great sand beach for the kayak, a beautiful lodge, cabins, and of course a sauna. We had read about Bowman Island Carters in Bonnie Dahls marina book and knew he ran fishing charters. Apparently he also shuttles kayaks from the Nipigon to Bowman Island and back. How fortunate for us. So we spent the night in the lodge, had a wonderful full dinner of burgers and salad. Tomorrow we shall head to Nipigon, the only freshwater port north of the 49th parallel. Even since the start of this trip, I have wanted to see the northermost point of Lake Superior. I guess I never expected to see it under these circumstances but then again, things just tend to work themselves out.
Trip: 996.19 mi
At 4 AM we woke up to listen to the radio. Our little window of opportunity was closing. The south winds were now predicted to arrive by noon...not good. Mom and I got up and started to evaluatee our options. We narrowed them down to two. The first would be to run for Rossport in the dark and hope to not get caught in the subsiding north wind or building south winds while crossing one of three channels. Our second was to head back toward Bowman Island where there is a fishing camp and hope to catch a ride to the mainland for supplies.
After much debating we agreed better to play it safe then risk being wind bound on another island with no food. We headed back.
Just as soon as we rounded the corner back behind Armour Island we were stopped by a small motor boat. Russ and Sharon greeted us kindly and asked where we were heading. We told them and they invited us to their camp to have coffee. We could even have a ride back to the mainland if we needed. We went in to see their camp. Apparently we had landed in the Embassy of Nirivia. We were presented with articles describing Nirivia and this little piece of paradise. Russ even radioed down to the fish camp to see if they could give us a ride into Nipigon. Gary Lange operator of the camp said he could and after a wonderful breakfast we said farewell to our new friends Russ, Sharon, and William.
Feeling better about our decision to go back we paddled on. We were serenaded by loons and even saw a bear walking the shore. The south winds started to pick up before noon and we were very certain we had made the right decision.
Soon we were at Bowman Island Charters and we breathed a long sigh of relief. Gary Lange welcomed us to his camp. There was a great sand beach for the kayak, a beautiful lodge, cabins, and of course a sauna. We had read about Bowman Island Carters in Bonnie Dahls marina book and knew he ran fishing charters. Apparently he also shuttles kayaks from the Nipigon to Bowman Island and back. How fortunate for us. So we spent the night in the lodge, had a wonderful full dinner of burgers and salad. Tomorrow we shall head to Nipigon, the only freshwater port north of the 49th parallel. Even since the start of this trip, I have wanted to see the northermost point of Lake Superior. I guess I never expected to see it under these circumstances but then again, things just tend to work themselves out.
Day 73- August 25, 2010
Today: 0.0 mi
Trip: 986.40 mi
No surprise here. Wind bound yet again.
The winds did start clocking out of the north. We are hoping they die down enough to let us make it the 18 miles into Rossport. Winds are supposed to be light at midnight and then pick up to south 15 knots late in the day. After the winds start blowing from the south, they will continue through Monday!! We are hoping to wake up early and make a run for Rossport. We have two dinners left (we split one each evening now) so too many more wind days and we are going to be in trouble.
We ate dinner away from our camp again and this time we were visited by a bear. It was across the harbor and did not notice us one bit. We watched for a while and wondered what would happen if we ate dinner here again....what new visitor would be waiting?
Trip: 986.40 mi
No surprise here. Wind bound yet again.
The winds did start clocking out of the north. We are hoping they die down enough to let us make it the 18 miles into Rossport. Winds are supposed to be light at midnight and then pick up to south 15 knots late in the day. After the winds start blowing from the south, they will continue through Monday!! We are hoping to wake up early and make a run for Rossport. We have two dinners left (we split one each evening now) so too many more wind days and we are going to be in trouble.
We ate dinner away from our camp again and this time we were visited by a bear. It was across the harbor and did not notice us one bit. We watched for a while and wondered what would happen if we ate dinner here again....what new visitor would be waiting?
Day 72- August 24, 2010
Today: 0.0 mi
Trip: 986.40 mi
Wind bound again...great. Winds out of the southwest 23 knots and 2 meter waves.
We spent the day going stir crazy. We did not want to hike around too much for fear that we would burn too many calories. We ate very little to conserve our supply and just watched the waves crash into the shore.
Trip: 986.40 mi
Wind bound again...great. Winds out of the southwest 23 knots and 2 meter waves.
We spent the day going stir crazy. We did not want to hike around too much for fear that we would burn too many calories. We ate very little to conserve our supply and just watched the waves crash into the shore.
Day 71- August 23, 2010
Today: 7.33 mi
Trip: 986.40 mi
On the water at 7 this morning. Forecast is calling for a blow and we wanted to cross onto Simpson Island before things picked up too much. We took a stiff headwind heading around Frasier Point and behind Hope and Armour Islands. We came out to McNab Harbour and decided to stop. Things were picking up quicker than we wanted and at least here we had a view of open water.
It was only 10 AM so we rationed out food and made a plan for the next few days. By noon the waves were pushing 4 ft. The fog soon rolled in and we felt pretty isolated. A couple of jetskies came flying by. Watching them jump the waves was quite the entertainment although I have to say that the landings looked less than comfortable.
We walked over some rocks to look at the interior of the harbor while eating dinner. As it was cooking we were visited by a moose!!! Our first of the trip and it was quite the treat. We watched as a cow on her two little ones waded and then swam down the harbor. They never even looked our way and we just watched in awe as they wandered on their way.
Trip: 986.40 mi
On the water at 7 this morning. Forecast is calling for a blow and we wanted to cross onto Simpson Island before things picked up too much. We took a stiff headwind heading around Frasier Point and behind Hope and Armour Islands. We came out to McNab Harbour and decided to stop. Things were picking up quicker than we wanted and at least here we had a view of open water.
It was only 10 AM so we rationed out food and made a plan for the next few days. By noon the waves were pushing 4 ft. The fog soon rolled in and we felt pretty isolated. A couple of jetskies came flying by. Watching them jump the waves was quite the entertainment although I have to say that the landings looked less than comfortable.
We walked over some rocks to look at the interior of the harbor while eating dinner. As it was cooking we were visited by a moose!!! Our first of the trip and it was quite the treat. We watched as a cow on her two little ones waded and then swam down the harbor. They never even looked our way and we just watched in awe as they wandered on their way.
Day 70- August 22, 2010
Today: 22.46 mi
Trip: 979.07 mi
It was great to actually paddle on this paddling trip! We hit the water relatively early and rounded a much calmer Sail Rock and Agate Point. We ducked behind Spar Island and then barely touched Moss Island before crossing over to Flour Island.
Once inside Flour Island we again found ourselves in a network of islands too large to explore in one day. We did poke around a little and had lunch on a very scenic beach. Then we crossed over to St. Ignace Island and headed for the CPR slip. We did not stay long, just enough time to have a coffee and continue on. The forecast is calling for another bout of wind and we need to get to Terrace Bay for our next food drop. Taking inventory we had five dinners total, nine packs of tuna, half a jar of peanut butter, cheese sticks, and protein drink. Today was our last day of normal food rations...time to conserve.
We went between Bowman Island and St. Ignace island and found a few 'camps' along the way. As we rounded the next point the water became very very shallow. We held our breath and thought airy thoughts but alas we struck bottom. For the first time this trip we had to walk our kayak to deeper water. We must be loosing our touch. After a good laugh we found a great spot to camp near Pope Point.
Trip: 979.07 mi
It was great to actually paddle on this paddling trip! We hit the water relatively early and rounded a much calmer Sail Rock and Agate Point. We ducked behind Spar Island and then barely touched Moss Island before crossing over to Flour Island.
Once inside Flour Island we again found ourselves in a network of islands too large to explore in one day. We did poke around a little and had lunch on a very scenic beach. Then we crossed over to St. Ignace Island and headed for the CPR slip. We did not stay long, just enough time to have a coffee and continue on. The forecast is calling for another bout of wind and we need to get to Terrace Bay for our next food drop. Taking inventory we had five dinners total, nine packs of tuna, half a jar of peanut butter, cheese sticks, and protein drink. Today was our last day of normal food rations...time to conserve.
We went between Bowman Island and St. Ignace island and found a few 'camps' along the way. As we rounded the next point the water became very very shallow. We held our breath and thought airy thoughts but alas we struck bottom. For the first time this trip we had to walk our kayak to deeper water. We must be loosing our touch. After a good laugh we found a great spot to camp near Pope Point.
Day 69- August 21, 2010
Toady: 0.0 mi
Trip: 956.61 mi
Oh the crazy things we do! This morning the weather sounded pleasant and from the look of the water in our harbour, it looked like a go. We packed up and felt awful excited about heading out...that was until we made it half a mile. We were just getting to round Sail Rock. The swells were around four feet and were lazily picking the kayaking up and down.
We rounded the corner. As soon as the words "oh dear" hit my mouth I knew we were not going any farther. Those nice little four foot swells were amplified on every shoal from Sail Rock to Agate Point. Paddling farther out we saw the swells hit the shoals, stand up well over my head and then dump. The swells were far enough apart that it was hard to tell where each shoal was definitively and we decided better not to make a mistake and get trashed. We paddled back to shore to re-evaluate.
I was rearing to see the waves better and convinced Mom to bushwhack to the end of the point to have a better look. Going out we made our own path which involved much crawling and sliding. Making it to the other side was worth it though. We spent most of the morning looking, evaluating, and taking pictures. Finding our way for lunch was much nicer with the animal trail we found. It must have been something small because we found ourselves crawling even more. After lunch we were going to try to head out again, but then fog rolled in making it even harder to see where the waves were popping. Defeated we just called it a day and set up camp. Still no moose.
Trip: 956.61 mi
Oh the crazy things we do! This morning the weather sounded pleasant and from the look of the water in our harbour, it looked like a go. We packed up and felt awful excited about heading out...that was until we made it half a mile. We were just getting to round Sail Rock. The swells were around four feet and were lazily picking the kayaking up and down.
We rounded the corner. As soon as the words "oh dear" hit my mouth I knew we were not going any farther. Those nice little four foot swells were amplified on every shoal from Sail Rock to Agate Point. Paddling farther out we saw the swells hit the shoals, stand up well over my head and then dump. The swells were far enough apart that it was hard to tell where each shoal was definitively and we decided better not to make a mistake and get trashed. We paddled back to shore to re-evaluate.
I was rearing to see the waves better and convinced Mom to bushwhack to the end of the point to have a better look. Going out we made our own path which involved much crawling and sliding. Making it to the other side was worth it though. We spent most of the morning looking, evaluating, and taking pictures. Finding our way for lunch was much nicer with the animal trail we found. It must have been something small because we found ourselves crawling even more. After lunch we were going to try to head out again, but then fog rolled in making it even harder to see where the waves were popping. Defeated we just called it a day and set up camp. Still no moose.
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