Dock out of the water and ranged high along the shore. Truck extricated from its layer of glue-mud picked up on the road to Gore Bay. Grass-seed planted in the area around the sandbox that was burned by the summer' drought. And, almost certainly, last swim of 2016.
Calm afternoon.
The sea (or lake or river), once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
--Cousteau
Final Heliotrope work (winterizing) completed, and half the pier removed. It's that time of year.
Purple asters and purple mint, among others of that hue.
Crystaline air today, and the kind of light Rembrandt would like, making all colors vivid.
Truncated pier.
Unexpected storm. Brief heavy rain. Now clear sky and bright moon.
Photo by Sue
Photo by Mary Ellen
Spectacular sky.
Photos courtesy Sue.
And wonderful sailing, with challenging winds and spectacular light.
Last night, moonrise through a cloud bank, followed by clear sky, followed by rain.
This morning, dark and drizzle swept away by noon to bright sun.
This afternoon, brush burning interrupted by a downpour that also soaked Murray and Elaine as they were out kayaking.
Tonight, clear sky except for a cloud bank in the east.
Strong south wind.
After noon, down to the marina and the Windrider, which has lain idle for over three weeks, or more. Then: Clear the cobwebs and eject the spiders. Reef the main. Shove off and head out, slightly behind Patrick and Wolf on their windrider.
Even with reefed main we walked away.
The graphic below is, actually exactly (or almost) accurate. And not only interesting but important.
Scattered clouds, some very dramatic.
This morning Pax and I were surprised by the "whump" of large wings as we stepped out onto Gaiser's beach. Looking up, we watched an eagle wing its way across the bight to a tall tree at Murray and Elaine's.
Extended morning spent readying Heliotrope for hibernation.
The inuksuk tribe at Gore Bay is growing. Looks like Katy and Will started something.
Cool, crystalline air. Wind easing toward calm. The occasional cloud making a sweatshirt seem appropriate. Blanket, perhaps, tonight?
Is this breakfast or dinner?
The outdoors is what you go through to get a taxi.
Moderate rain mid-morning to mid-afternoon, followed by mist. Got to Gore Bay only to find Heliotrope in slings, about to be lifted, and then the clouds opened.
At the moment, a pileated woodpecker, a jay, and several crows providing the soundtrack.
The weather is turning iffy, the forecast looks bad, and Heliotrope needs to be back in Gore Bay since Norm wants to haul her. Today looked like the best opportunity in the coming week, so we took off at 9:30, Pax staying home. and rounded the red mark off the new Gore Bay breakwater at 3. Steadily building wind from the south-west, more that we expected. Twenty to twenty-five knots, more or less on the nose, with 4 to six foot seas.
Hard work with eight tough tacks, but still lots of fun, and absolutely beautiful. We did see one other boat—heading downwind.
Yesterday—No thunder and little rain.
But a big squall followed by 40 plus knots of wind. About 10 p.m. we headed out into the maelstrom, to the dock, to find spray flying and the boats rolling. With Martin's help we got more lines on Heliotrope, Sophia, and the Windrider.
Martin had just brought his 28 foot boat in from its mooring out around the point of the bay's eastern arm, and he had a hard go of it. He was then planning to walk the three or four miles back to his property (around the far point of land to the right in the photo above), and the tent in which he's been living all summer, be we intervened and gave him a ride.
Today—lovely cool and breezy day, with clouds and sun, followed by home-made pizza with J& ME, and Murray and Elaine.
One of the earliest of the multiple steps en route to seasonal shutdown.
In spite of the dry summer, some water still running down the Kagawong River, as observed from the east side path.
And by late afternoon a few light rain showers impersonating the predicted thunderstorms.
Quite warm and humid this morning, so like good campers, we took a morning dip, undoubtedly the last of this year.
Heliotrope out for a stretch and cobweb clearing. Light breeze from north-east providing 3 to 4 knots, a good way out of the bay. Eventually Lolipop spotted also under sail, but far to leeward.
Then wind dropping away to nothing. Somewhat later, dark water way down under Lolipop. Soon, even under jib only, that boat heels and starts scooting. And the wind line moves toward us, and then we hear the susurration. Sitting still, it's tack and trim. Closer, closer, and wham, the wind's south-west. We heel, and soon are over 6. Pax moves cautiously off the coach roof into the cockpit. Wind now on the nose, but Heliotrope has a bone in her teeth.
Sailing is fun.
Photos courtesy Mary Ellen.
Also Wilker hauled today.
Photo courtesy Sue
Some late night rain. Cloudy, humid morning. Slow clearing, and decreasing humidity. The coreopsis on the front deck, which appeared moribund yesterday, are rejuvenating, after nine days of neglect.
No signs of bear. Boats all good, though Geode needed bailing. The road to Gore Bay a muddy mess with resurfacing in progress.
Astonishingly, we were able to watch the so-called "Commander In Chief" "debate" on the "TV" at Pinebox. Equally astonishing, the inept performance of the moderator. We gave our dump-meister, Dennis, a lift to his place of employment on our way to GorB, and he was far more informed than the Matt Lauer creature, and would have done a better job.
Warm and muggy back in Kagawong.
So the logical thing, after a long drive and a stay in a motel, was to go for a swim. Water still plenty warm.
Manitoulin noticably drier and browner than lush Wisconsin.
On the road again. A bit of the melancholy excitement of traveling out of season when the crowds are gone and when change is in the air.
Some rain, but more bugs. On the stretch from Escanaba to Manistique it sounded like we were dving through a popcorn popper, and by the time we got to our motel the windshield was nearly opaque. Two motorcyclists circling Lake Michigan counterclockwise pulled into the parking lot as we did with saturated leathers and a lot of bugs in their teeth.
Midwest reception for Derek and Tara at the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Funt time. Good food. Lots of conversation.
The weather? Hot. Very hot. And humid.
Warm but pleasant. Occasional clouds to keep the heat from building. Walking weather.
End of summer winter squash.
The crickets sang in the grasses. They sang the song of summer's ending, a sad monotonous song. "Summer is over and gone, over and gone, over and gone. Summer is dying, dying." A little maple tree heard the cricket song and turned bright red with anxiety.
The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year — the days when summer is changing into fall the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.
--EB White
Easy going day of walks, flower picking at the prairie, farmers' market odds and ends.
Late summer bouquet gathered and arranged by Nik.
Pleasant day but on the leading edge of a big warming trend.
Will was off school and Nik had never seen the new house. A hike through the Audibon and visit to Will's classroom. Lunch on the lakeshore. Back at the house Buddy stepped on a bee and Ab had to take him to the vet. While she was away Will and I had a fierce game of soccer, and I now find walking difficult. The bee sting delayed our departure so we got to see Katy when she got home from school.
