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There has been a very small amount of talk about an(other) Isle Royale trip this August.

Any other interest?

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Yes. I'm considering it. I need to evaluate water levels. It looks like this may be a potential destination for me for a week of boating/camping.

I'd be launching from Copper Harbor, Michigan and crossing Lake Superior to the Island. The weather would be a determining factor as to how much time would be spent on the Island, and of course, the amount of traffic on the island would determine if we could find dock space for the night.

I've heard word that the ferry from MN is not running this summer due to water levels - which means fewer hikers and campers...and hopefully fewer large cruisers. That would mean adequate space for a small group of Whalers.

My primary interest is the southern portion of the island, given that I saw the northern portion on a previous trip two years ago -however, by no means was the northern half fully explored on that previous trip. I'd love to see the island again.



Dave

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Can I bring my Lightfoot CD?

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Peter -

Only if you're serious!
:)

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Dave - are you talking south as in the Siskiwit bay area (as I recall, you may not have gotten west of Chippewa Harbor), or south as in Washington Harbor?

One of the two ferries from Minnesota is not operating - the one that was considered the "day boat" to Windigo. The boat that makes the 2-day circumnavigation of the island is still running, but it brings far fewer people.

My favorites are Siskiwit Bay (feels a million miles from anywhere - and seems open, but ends up getting a fair amount of protection from the offshore reefs, and the eastern half of the north side of the island - Belle Island, Amigdaloid down to McCargoe. The pavilion at Belle makes it a cool place to camp.

My friends say that boat traffic is way down from norms - dockage isn't really a problem at all, even with the reduced capacity because of the low water.

And aside from the docks - low water isn't an issue. Rocks that used to be awash or just under the surface are now clearly visible, but the trade off is that rocks that didn't use to be a problem can now bite you.

When are your dates?

David

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I would very much like to return to IR, even if we went to the same places as last time.

I saw the dock pictures, and was a bit discouraged. It's no fun tying up to a dock that's 5 feet above your gunwale.

I'd mose likely depart from Grand Portage again. Dave T, where would you leave from?

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As much as I'd like to revisit Isle Royale, especially since reading "Once Upon An Isle" by Howard Stevenson this past winter, I'm afraid I'm booked for the summer now.

I hope you folks make the trip. It's a wonderful place out there.

Peter

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Dave-

I'd probably drive up to GP, but leaving from Madeline could be a possibility depending on dates, where the boat is when that date comes and weather.

My schedule is also rather fluid as I know I'm going to have a funeral to go to, probably in the next 6 weeks, but don't know when yet, and probably don't want to be out of touch until it is over.

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Dave T-
Assuming you've made the Apostle Islands/Isle Royale crossing before, how long did it take you, at what speed, what time of day and what route?

I'd be interested in that crossing, more so now that I have RADAR which would make an early morning run feasible.

I would expect that crossing to consume almost half my fuel, though.

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I did it last summer, middle of July - left a little before 6am, was at the dock in Windigo by 9am. It is about 90 miles from my beach, and about 75 miles of open water from Outer Island to Rock of Ages. It was glass calm when I left, and I ran in the upper 30s, so a little over 2 1/2 hours. Much of the trip I sat on the cooler seat in front of the console and read a book while the autopilot drove (I had a remote and an extension of the kill switch clipped to me).

It was a whim really - I was at the cabin alone for a few days, the forecast was good, so I went. Mainly to just do it. Topped off with gas, went up to Sikiwit Bay, hung out and fished for much of the day, I was going to stay overnight, but the forecast that evening was for it to build the next day, so I came back that evening, getting back a little before 10pm. Only kind of dumb thing I did was not tell anyone I was going. I just went.

My GPS track for the day said 240 or 245 miles. I had a pair of 13 gallon tempos under the leaning post in addition to the belly tank, so just over 100 gallons of fuel.

Man was I sore the next morning.

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Buckda; You mentioned launching from Copper Harbor.
How far is it from there to IR?

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Bob -

It is about 55 miles, if memory serves, from Copper Harbor to the Island.

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Bob -

David is right (he's the expert around here on Isle Royale, as far as I'm concerned). Two years ago, I logged just over 56 miles on GPS for the trip, which began at the ramp in Copper Harbor, about 1/2 mile to the mouth of the harbor and crossing, then about 1.5 miles around the islands outside of Rock Harbor to Rock Harbor Lodge/Ranger Station (where fuel is available).

The dates I am looking at are August 5-10, weather dependent. I'd drive up to Copper Harbor Friday afternoon the 3rd and over night, arriving early in the morning on the 4th (3-5 AM). I'd be in Copper Harbor on Saturday and wait for a weather window. If the weather is good, I'd go as soon as possible upon arrival at Copper Harbor...up to and including a night-time crossing using GPS if the moon is bright and the lake is flat...but I'd prefer to spend Saturday at Copper Harbor with a run down to Houghton to register and pay park dues and file my float/camping plan with the park rangers. (This can be accomplished at Rock Harbor also if weather urges me to cross in the late morning on Saturday).

David is right - I really haven't been West/South of Chippewa Harbor and haven't seen ANY of the West side of the island...so whatever I can see in that direction is on my list.

Final go/no-go decision is expected this week.

Dave

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Under good conditions I can get 3 mpg, so 180 miles round trip is no problem.

This time, I think I would prefer leaving from the Apostles or even Copper Harbor. The drive to Grand Portage isn't very interesting, nor is their marina.

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The lake is like glass today - none of the data buoys on Lake Superior are registering any wave height at all right now, but check out the mid lake water temps. All of 39.9F at the Mid Superior Buoy http://ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php...tion=45001 right now.

Here is an overview of the lake http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/twosupe...riors.html

It may be July, but bring your stocking cap.

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Just dawned on me: why not Eagle Harbor, MI?

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David T – Sounds like you had a pretty impressive window of opportunity earlier this year. Did the weather kick up on the return? Wondering why you were sore if it was smooth enough to sit in front reading a book. That would have been a surreal moment to pass you with the boat on autopilot and the captain lounging in front with a book on his lap!

“Once Upon an Isle” was a great read and a very thoughtful suggestion for reading. I thoroughly enjoyed my copy and have given it a place of honor on my bookshelf along with similar types of books on the Great Lakes, including Mackinac Island, the Legend of the Sleeping Bears, and other favorites that were both well written and elaborately illustrated.

I’m also enjoying a copy of “Writing Lake Superior” by Peter Unwin. This book has limited availability – it is from Penguin Press (Canadian) and was pretty tough to locate a copy (I eventually found it at a bookseller in Manhattan on a business trip!). I’ve stopped reading it for now, in hopes that I can read and finish it on the Island by lantern…I can’t think of a better way to finish this fine book about the Lake Superior region.

I’ve been tracking my fuel economy this year and the conditions in which I encountered what economy. I still need to calculate Saturday’s consumption in square 4-6 footers on Lake Erie (I fried my Garmin AC/serial adapter so I can’t currently download to my computer to calculate economy)…but I’ve averaged around 4.2 MPG in much mixed running. With the addition of a 27 gallon Tempo tank, I should have about 351 miles of total range (conservative estimate). That should be more than enough to get me by with perhaps just a splash of fuel on the Island to get home.

Now…to convince Pat to join me and to find a distributor of dry ice…..

Dave

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David -

Eagle Harbor facilities are not as nice as Copper Harbor - it's an extra few miles on the road and in the boat, but if you get "blown in" at Copper Harbor, you are much happier (clean restroom, restaurants in town, etc). The Copper Harbor marina is only a few years old and is nice. It's not a big town by any definition, but also being at the top of US41, the "bottom" of which lies at Key West, Florida, is pretty cool too. There's a few things to see and do if you get socked in by weather - and of course, you can always drop the trailer and go down to Houghton.

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Daves P & B-

I did have the wireless remote for the autopilot around my neck and a kill switch on, but I guess it would have been odd...

The ride over that day last summer was glass, but it was a bit choppy on the way back, but the main reason I was sore the next day is that I am now sporting a 4-handle on the age.

I'm looking good for going up the night of the 3rd, and staying through tuesday, presuming my mom hangs in there.

David

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I'm thinking Copper Harbor is going to be my departure point, with the Apostle Islands being my second choice. Grand Portage is a distant third.

At this point, I plan on spending Aug 6-10 on and around the island, using the weekends for travel and a buffer.

It looks like it's just going to be the three of us Daves, unless Pat joins us.

It's just over two weeks away. Should we start throwing some dates and times around regarding who's going to be where and when?

Also, do we plan on stopping in to Rock Harbor or Windigo when we get over?

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I'll probably bring the 22 back to Duluth this coming weekend with the plan of leaving from Grand Portage. I can make a 15 mile run in a lot worse weather than I can 75. so I'll be a lot less likely to get stuck due to weather.

I'm game to meet up anywhere. I'd vote for meeting up either down in Sikiwit Bay somewhere or around the backside at Belle Isle. Belle Isle is cool for a couple or reasons - in addition to a good dock, [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/Plotman/Isle%20Royale/BelleDock.jpg[/IMG] it has a nice beach, [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/Plotman/Isle%20Royale/BelleBeach.jpg[/IMG] and a picnic pavillion for cooking out of the weather if it rains and for hanging out. [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/Plotman/Isle%20Royale/BellePavillion.jpg[/IMG]

Belle is still close to Rock Harbor - only 12 miles or so, but because it is around the end, it feels pretty isolated. Siskiwit is about 30 miles down the SE side of the island from Rock Harbor, so Copper Harbor is probably about the same distance to either.

You guys choose.

The island isn't accessible to hikers, unlike a number of the docks in the Siskiwit area - my favorite of which is Hay Bay.

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I think it will largely depend on the weather forecast. If it is going to blow from the NW or W while we're out there, I'd like to be on the lee side of the island, if possible.

That said, we really didn't get to round the top of the island at all last time - and left more than 2/3rds of the island shoreline unexplored. I'd like to make up for some lost ground on that front.

On another note, and remembering the spectacular display or Aurora Borealis last time; the Perseid Meteor Shower should be peaking near the end of that week, and the moon waning to a new moon on August 12. The nighttime sky should be perfect for viewing these meteors in the evenings. ("Shooting" from the constellation Perseus, which should be very viewable in the NE sky over the lake, with hundreds of miles between us and any city lights to pollute the sky.)

Dave

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tawelty, you're not the minister we ran into at Chippewa Harbor in 2005, are you?

It looks like the plan is to be on the island during the week of August 6-10.

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David,

Due to the upgrade last night, the original poster was hoagy I believe instead of tawelty....

I had to delete his post because of conflicts in file ordering... Hopefully he will respond and I am sending him a PM to also let him know.

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Thanks Joe.

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This link should take you to a very long thread that has some great trip organizing information for anyone who might be interested in this trip.

I hesitate to dredge all that information up again and re-create it when it is readily available. Please note that dock water levels are lower this year, and I can't testify to the veracity of information in that thread as it is over two years old. But as far as outfitting your boat and gear for the trip, it should be a big help.

As I said before, a go/no-go decision will be made for my participation at the end of this week...but I'm already busy making packing lists and evaluating my equipment stocks. This could be a lot of fun!

Dave

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Standing by...

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Hi Dave, Joe,

No I haven’t been up there in about 7 or 8 years now.

I have a 17 foot 1967 whaler the only original wood is the anchor well cover. A couple of years ago I took off the front railings they hindered my getting in and out of the boat when beaching and camping and I was always repairing them. I now have all stainless steel fittings if I ever get around to fixing er up; not that it needs it.

In 1988 I bought the boat motor and trailer for 600 dollars. It had spent the winter in the ice in Mackinaw Straits The gel coat had chipped and had to be ground away and replaced. The motor was no good So I gave it away to a guy who was going to outboard motor school. I had a 1985, 90 horse Evinrude from my old MSG which was just right. By the time I got er ready for the water it looked pretty good. I built a Counsel for it which I replaced about 10 years ago. Since then I have not done any work on it to speak of. Except to replace the Evinrude which I plum wore out. With a 90 hp 4 stroke Johnson which is 100 lbs too heavy.

It looks a mess The new gel coat is holding up fine but I do need to do something with the inside as I keep it in a brown canal here in Houghton Lake. Everything is still solid and I fish in it a lot as well as take the kids out in it. The good thing about the condition of it is that I don’t worry about a scratch or a few stains from fish blood or scales. Of course I take good care of the engine. So if you see a beat up old whaler named visitation it is no doubt me. My radio call is “visitation”.

God Bless,
Chaplain Hoagy

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Pat –

Per our discussion last night – it’s about 560 miles for you to go up through the UP.

It’s about 590 miles for me from where the boat is – through Wisconsin. Mapquest is calling for about 11 hours. If memory serves, it took me 12 hours, plus 2 extra hours (backtracked) to get the boat, in 2005. I’m hoping to get an earlier start this year than last – I left work at 3 PM last year and arrived up there around 5 AM the next morning.

Non-perishable supply shopping begins this weekend; nuts, drinks, booze, etc. Pat, you and I can finish off the details at the grocery in Houghton on Saturday when we get our park permits. If you get a chance in the interim to cross the Ambassador Bridge, pick up a few Cubans, eh?!

Pendleton – I hope you do make the trip over to Copper Harbor. It’s a nice facility – and it’s always nice to go somewhere you’ve not yet been. If you choose Grand Portage, I understand though…it is closer!

Sounds like I’ll have the dump of the bunch. Pat just shined up his Whaler…mine needs some attention!

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I'm in.......Always wanted to go to Isle Royal, and by Whaler will be all the sweeter!!!!!

Pat

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Excellent. It's a go then! This is going to be a great trip!

Dave

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I am looking forward to seeing Gambler with all its upgrades since 2005; even if it is a Scow.

Dave

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I've registered for the park online. My current proposed itinerary to the NPS is 8/4 Belle Isle; 8/5 McCargoe Cove 8/6 Todd Harbor; 8/7 Grace Island 8/8 Hay Bay and 8/9 Chippewa Harbor.

Of course, this will be edited based on weather and need. Use fee is $28.

Dave

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Awesome - I should see you on Belle Island on the 4th. I it is open when I come over friday night, I'll likely set up in the shelter on the right as you stand on the beach (it's one of the farthest from the dock, but right off the beach). I'll leave a note if I'm off exploring. Plus, we'll all have radios.

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I wasn't planning on being on the island until Sunday, but I don't want to miss Belle Island. I too just registered online. I don't know if I can keep to it, but my itinerary is the same with the addition of my last night in Windigo.

08/04/07 Dock - Belle Isle
08/05/07 Dock - McCargoe Cove
08/06/07 Dock - Todd Harbor
08/07/07 Dock - Grace Island
08/08/07 Dock - Hay Bay
08/09/07 Dock - Chippewa Harbor
08/10/07 Dock - Windigo

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Just got back from testing the new Fuel tank. I added a Tempo 27 gallon tank forward of the console that is hard-plumbed into the fuel delivery system ahead of the fuel filter/water separator via a three-way valve.

Works great! No leaks and the boat seems to handle the weight well. I also spent the weekend organizing gear and getting ready for this trip. All that's left is to buy some remaining gear and food and then strategically pack it all in order to balance the weight, etc.

Really, REALLY looking forward to this trip.

Anyone else interested in attending?

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I registered reservations tonight, same dates, locations.......It's going to be fun

Pat

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This is a trip that I would really like to be able to make.
But I am still looking for the right Whaler for me, and if
I were to find one soon, still would not have time to get it
sorted out and tested before hand. Maybe I can make the
trip later in September if a nice Montauk or Outrage finds
me. For those of who are going have a great trip!

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Bob -

You are welcome to "crew" aboard Gambler and sleep ashore.

You pack your food and cover half the cost of fuel.

I'll be going through Chicago with the boat on Friday afternoon.

Dave

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Hi Guys,
Question; Do you buy gas at Rock Harbor or do you carry it with you? How many gallons do you carry?

I can carry 36 gallons; I have an other 36 gallon tank but it takes up so much room. I know that gas is about $1.00 More on the Island.

Any comments would be helpful.

I plan to leave home for Isle Royal next Friday I plan to put in at Houghton Hancock. I will stay on or around the Island for bout a week.

Thanks,
Chaplain Hoagy

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Gas sold on the island is priced roughly on the following formula: Wholesale Price + Michigan & Fed taxes (so essentially a dime or so below the Houghton retail price) + 90-odd cents for transportation + 24% surcharge -- charged by the park service on all goods and services sold on the island to pay for power, water, sewer etc.

I think the last time I checked it was $4.70 or so.

I'll carry an extra 24 gallons beyond what my belly tank holds, but I'm not going to go nuts to not buy gas on the island. An extra $100 for the ability to buy gas there isn't a big deal, IMHO.

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Agreed.

I’ve added an additional tank that should increase my overall range to about 300 statute miles (about 90 gallons tanked), so I shouldn’t need to buy fuel on the island – but if there is any doubt, I’ll splash some fuel in at Rock harbor before departing for the mainland.

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I’ve been working on my charts and trip planning. (Aside: the GoogleEarth feature in the newest MapSource software is really neat!) It looks like it is about 70 miles to Belle Isle from Copper Harbor, about 10 miles to the base of McCargoe Cove another 10 miles to Todd Harbor, about 20 miles to Grace Island, 25 miles to Hay Bay, and 15 miles to Chippewa Harbor and another 60 miles back to Copper Harbor.

That’s 210 miles, plus any side routes…call it 300 miles total for the week. I should be able to do it all without refueling if I am careful on fuel, engine and RPM management…of course, that includes the weather cooperating!

Pat – at 1.5 MPG, you’re looking at a good bit of fuel (perhaps a half tank?) on the island. We’ll have to stop in at Windigo for you to top up.

Any of you using Garmin/Mapsource, I can send the latest trip plan, including more than 100 waypoints for around the island. I believe Plotman gave me these waypoints in 2005 for my last trip – they are very helpful in planning routes around the island and skirting shoals.

Dave

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Dave, thanks for your kind offer to "crew" for the trip,
but I will wait and make the trip when I have found the
right Whaler. Have looked at a 22 with potential.
Have you ever launched onto Superior from Porcupine
Mountain Wilderness State Park, near Ontonagon? It is
a very unspoiled and uncrowded part of the lake and the
state.

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I was looking at the pictures of your Whalers, a-a-a-a - They’re a little different then mine. When you see my whaler you might be surprised that such a thing could ever happen to a whaler!!

Well I use it primarily for camping and fishing but I can sleep on it if I need to. It does every thing I need it to do and I don’t have to put much work in to it or be too carful of it. I’m formulating plans to make it more passenger friendly. If I decide to re-do it, it will be in the spring of 2008 at which time I will have the inside of the hull sandblasted and covered with, like pickup truck bedding, they have a marine version which is warrantied for life and can be made any color I will keep the original color of course. The consol will be about two feet wide and made of white oak. White oak front side decks with white oak railings with stainless steel hardware rising to about a foot from the side decks. The rear rails will remain standard. It will have cushioned bench seating with a front seat in front of the anchor well. White oak is my wood of choice because I have a lot of it. And I have just been given a fifty foot high four foot diameter white oak log. When I’m not fishing or doing religious services I do wood work.

I now plan to leave Houghton Lake for Houghton Hancock Wednesday Aug. First. And cross over from there to Rock Harbor where I will check in, weather permitting. I like to cross at night and I think it is the best part of the trip.

I have just got a GPS and figured my gas mileage - about five miles to the gallons so with 36 gallons I can go between 150 and 180 miles. And maybe even more if I slow down which when taking a long trip I do.

Well I look forward to seeing you guys up there but when you see what I have for a Whaler you may ask me to go some place else.

God Bless,
Chaplain Hoagy

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Saddle up your horses, we've got a trail to blaze - through the wild blue yonder of the Crisp, Clear Northern Great Lakes...

5 hours to departure. See you guys up there tomorrow.

Dave

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Have a great trip.

Looks like you will have decent weather for the crossing and the forecast for the upcoming week is good.

The weather has cooled off a bit, but it has been HOT so the water in the bays is quite pleasant and swimmable right now.

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Have fun, bring back lots of photos of Whalers in action.

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I have been watching theNOAA Bouy Center all morning and winds in the middle of the lake were 9kts or less and wave heights were less than 1 ft all day.

Heard Pat ran into some trailer trouble on the way up so I hope they were able to get across on such a nice day.

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Boy you guys lucked out. Wave Heights less than 1' today as well. Hope you guys had a fun safe trip!

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We're Back, What a trip, Logs and Photo's to follow asap.
A few glitches at the start, I had a Brake freeze up about a mile from my house at the start, no one could do anything immediately to fix it so I had the brakes taken off the trailer, had the Bearings all removed, cleaned replaced/repacked and went for it. Quite frankly, the rig trailered quite nicely without brakes behind my 2007 Ram 1500 Hemi W/Towing package and we negotiated some pretty steep grades.

Anyway, as we left Copper Harbor Saturday Aug 4th the water was like glass the entire 56 miles across, Buckda kept looking behind us for the cops because he thought a run like this should be illegal. In short the entire week was phenomenal and anyone within proximity should do this trip, this is great Whaler Country. We left for our return a day early because of reports of possible storms and high winds, it was a good call....we had 1.5'-2' and slight winds on the return trip, which made for a very nice run on Friday, Saturday we awakened to overcast & strong winds in the marina. Anyway, logs and photo's to come shortly..

Pat

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Were there any docks that ended up being unuseable because of the low water?

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David -

I'd say that most docks were usable for a Whaler, however the overall space available for all boats was lessened. "T" docks generally had water only on one side of the T and across the top, with none available on the undersides of the T. "I" docks generally were usable for those further out on the dock. The deteriorating cribs on some docks made certain berths unusable due to risk of abrading gelcoat....and oversize fenders came in handy. Quite often, my gunwale/rubrail in the stern was far UNDER the dock...using a fender helped keep me alongside and not underneath....and also protected my railings from acting as rubrails in the bow.

I brought 2 oversize fenders, but should have brought 3.

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The first two days:
Friday, August 4, 2007
1:00 PM CST
Leaving the office in heavy traffic, 90 degrees. It takes 3 hours to reach Gary, Indiana, on the South side of the lake. My trip plans have changed slightly; in part due to the unusually heavy traffic, in part due to Pat’s earlier trailer problems. I received a call earlier in the day from Pat, who I was going to meet in Copper Harbor on Saturday morning. Pat had trailer trouble in the Detroit area and is just now leaving the metro area. My plans changed from driving up through Wisconsin (back through Chicago) to driving up and following Pat through the lower peninsula of Michigan to ensure he didn’t have any further problems. This is a good idea for me on two fronts: 1st, it provides me with a travel companion in the 16 hour trip ahead; second, it provides a layer of protection from falling asleep at the wheel, since we were in CB communication the entire trip north.

10:00 PM CST Meeting up with Pat in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Gaylord, Michigan, I’ve fully fueled my new Ford F150 tow vehicle and we’re ready to charge onward to Copper Harbor. I’ve set the pace at around 70 MPH. It is faster than I normally tow, however, we’re behind schedule and traffic is light and the weather is clear. In about an hour, we find ourselves crossing the Mackinac Bridge. As we cross the center span, 200 feet above the lake below, I look to the East out to Mackinac Island. A nearly full moon is blazing and has lit the area in full, eerie light. The lake is flat calm. I remark to Pat on the radio that if we get up to Copper Harbor and it’s still dark, I’m game for crossing at night. Foolish me, I always forget how big the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is!

Saturday, August 5, 2007
1:00 AM – we stop briefly in Munising, Michigan for some fuel. The temperature in the interior of the peninsula has registered as low as 38 degrees, and there has been considerable fog on the highway. I’m shivering in my t-shirt, shorts and sandals as I pump fuel into the truck.

4:30 AM – we stop again at Baraga, Michigan for more fuel – the price ($2.85/gallon) is too hard top pass up. Pat pumps his boat full of fuel. I top off my tanks in the boat and the truck and we press onward.

5:45 AM – I’m driving dangerous. The sky in the east is brightening and I’m having trouble staying awake as we navigate the winding road north of Houghton into Copper Harbor…but I know we’re almost there…just a few more miles.

6:15 AM – we roll into the Copper Harbor marina facility as the sun breaks over the horizon. We pull to the ramp and begin loading the boats.

9:15 AM – after loading the boats, re-checking provisions, launching the boats and storing the trailers and tow vehicles, we buy a the last two bags of ice at the marina and start the voyage in a flat calm.

9:35 AM – as we clear the Copper Harbor buoy, I note the time and the sea state – there are small ripples on the water from a gentle breeze near shore, but further offshore, the lake is like glass. There is a gentle ½ foot swell left over from the previous day’s wind…enough to entice a gentle bounce in the boat as we spool up the outboards and begin our crossing at around 30 MPH. My twin 90 HP engines humming along at 3,400 RPM.

I look to the clear water to port and notice the reflection of the moon facing me in the glass-smooth surface. I look over at Pat’s 22’ Revenge, running alongside me with nearly perfect spray patterns coming from the chines. I look over and can see the grin on Pat’s face.

The 56 mile crossing slowly becomes monotonous – after a long overnight drive up to Copper Harbor, the travel fatigue is getting the better of Pat. I notice him crossing my wake back and forth several times (later he tells me that he actually nodded off it was so smooth!).

At one point, I look down at my depth finder: 913 feet deep, running at 30 MPH and 53 degree lake temperature.

The trip continues on – and Isle Royale looms on the horizon. Excitement returns with the return of the isle.

12:30 – after stopping at Rock Harbor for a few forgotten provisions, Pat and I divert to Raspberry Island to stretch our sea legs and for a picnic lunch. Our destination this afternoon is Belle Isle on the other side of the island, but for now, we need energy and a brief walk.

Back on the boats, we beat it to Belle Isle – I’m following waypoints and we’re running smartly. The plan is to get to the dock and settle in for the afternoon and await the arrival of David Pendleton in his 23’ Conquest, TAMPICO. After arriving at the island and securing the boats to the dock, I take a nap on a nearby picnic table, while Pat explores the island. I wake to the smell of diesel fuel in the fresh air. It rouses me from my nap enough to cause me to look up at a large cruiser waiting to dock. It is a dive boat, chartered to dive on the many wrecks of the area. We make room for them at the dock, and soon , the dock is filling up with new boats and no sign of TAMPICO. Eventually, David arrives and we have a grand total of 7 boats moored fast to the T shaped dock with three boats 3 slips rafted 2 deep and Gambler, in the sling behind two commercial dive boats.

Twilight falls and the curtain raises on a celestial display second to none. First Venus appears in the SE, then Mars, chasing Venus (he’ll chase her all week, never catching her). The brighter stars appear and then, our Milky Way galaxy appears in vivid detail. I say my goodnights and retire under the canvas, leaving the rear curtain open to allow the cool night air into my comfortable berth forward….It has been a long day and I quickly drift to sleep.

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Sunday, August 6.

The day dawned bright and clear and breakfast at the dock found us having bacon and eggs on the Coleman stove.

After a brief walk around the island, we pack and stow our gear and head out toward McCargoe Cove. It is a beautiful day, and we idle along down the Amygdaloid channel at no-wake speed, enjoying the scenery.

10 miles or so later, we arrive at the entrance to McCargoe. We see an old 17’ Whaler at the Birch Island dock and comment about it to each other on the radio. Just then, I realize that this is probably “Hoagy” who had mentioned he was going to be up on the island when we were. I just couldn’t remember the name of his boat. I scanned 16 and actually heard an interaction between “Visitation” and the Amygdaloid ranger station. Visitation! That was the name of his boat.

When he cleared the channel, I hailed him on 16 and asked him to switch to 68 where Pat and Dave could overhear our conversation. The dock at Birch Island was full, and we invited him down to the dock at the base of the cove. He gladly joined and as we were tying up at the dock and Hoagy joins us in his 1967 Boston Whaler 16’7” with customized woodwork and a newer Johnson (Suzuki) 4-stroke 90.

Hoagy is 73 and a retired preacher man. These days he’s a prison chaplain and lives in the mid-lower Michigan area. He came to Isle Royale alone….at night…..in his boat…..from Houghton (70 miles)…..with no GPS…….and no working compass. Hoagy is one of the most colorful characters we will meet on this trip….and, perhaps, is among the most colorful characters I have met. Ever.

Not that I’m alone in that estimation of the man. Virtually everywhere we will go on the island, we will meet up with some hiker, boater or visitor who, upon being told we spent some time in McCargoe Cove, will ask – “Did you see that old guy in the little blue and white Whaler?” Hoagy certainly has an impact on people he meets.

Chaplain Hoagy joins us at the dock and soon we’re talking shop – about Whalers and whaler projects and such. There are a group of young men on the dock – they’re hikers – friends and a few cousins all camping together. It’s a warm day and they’re taking advantage of the sunshine to go for a quick refreshing swim. Soon one comes over and asks Hoagy if he will take them fishing. He agrees and shortly two guys and Hoagy are out in the boat casting for pike.

Pat, Dave and I busy ourselves around the boats. Pat is working on rigging a rain shelter for his cockpit aft of the helm and I help him out with that for awhile. Dave didn’t sleep well the night before, and takes full advantage of the relaxing atmosphere and gentle breeze to take a nap aboard TAMPICO.

Later Dave breaks out T/T TAMPICO – an 8’ Zodiac inflatable with 2 HP air-cooled Honda outboard. Cool!

I’ve been reading Bonnie Dahl’s Superior Way cruising guide and let Dave know it’s time to explore the cove. We go for a quick ride around the bottom of the cove and then proceed to explore up the small creek at the base of the bay.

When we return, it’s pushing dinner time and we begin to make meal preparations. Hoagy and the boys aren’t back yet and we wonder how the fishing is while we eat our dinner. The rest of the boys are up at the campfire talking quietly and looking hungrily at us.

Just as we finish dishes, the little Whaler returns with three successful fishermen – the young guys hooting their success loudly to their campmates – 5 pike, two are 29 inches. The group quickly crowds around the dock, photos are taken and three other boys grab the fish and begin cleaning them enthusiastically. I wander over to make sure they’re doing the job properly, while the other guys get their camp stoves out and begin making preparations for a dinner feast (There are literally MOUNDS of meat from this successful trip – and it ends up providing two meals for the seven guys).

After watching these guys struggle to prepare these fish, I can take it no longer. I quietly walk to my boat and grab a fresh onion, a clove of fresh garlic, cooking oil, my frying basket and saucepan….and some of my special batter mix. Returning to the campsite, I take my turn in showing these guys how to prepare a fresh catch!

Soon all bellies are full and tight and the conversation is flowing freely…the remaining fish fillets are securely in a cooler aboard TAMPICO for the night and the stars are blazing.

After quite an evening of conversation, where we learn that several of the boys were actually classmates of a CW Forum member, it’s time to turn in. I crawl into my berth and quickly fall asleep.

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Wow, that sounds like quite an adventure. And you guys had a great time.
Thanks for sharing the story with us Buckda. :D

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Here are a few photographs of the Isle Royale Trip, what a Great Place, can't wait to go back

Pat

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v36...ne%202007/

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The trip description and the photos of this trip are superb!

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Additional photos are here:

http://home.comcast.net/~davepent/~davepen

Dave & Pat, CD's are coming; I promise...