Union Bay Porky's Campground to Black River

The rain finally ended sometime during the night. Winds were to be 5 knots variable. As I left the boat ramp area I could see it was pretty windy out around the corner. I pushed on as perhaps it was just a gusty session or about to let up. I'd say 15 knots at times. I was only wearing a light wool top so did my best to not have waves splash of the stuff on my bow deck.. I got wet and figured eventually I'd get cold if the headwind continued. Finally I saw a little spot I could pull into like a mini harbor. I put on my dry top for the first time since in Canada. Within an hour the wind did die down to more like 5. As you can see photos along the way have water on the lens. I had lunch at the mouth of the Presque Isle River. Made me think of the time a couple of us paddled the final rapid into the lake one spring. Made me think of my friend Jim Rada who died paddling the Presque Isle in 2003.
It took me 5 hours and 15 minutes from when I left Union Bay to get to the River. Then I went another 5 or so to the Black River facility. I asked the nice woman running the little store about camping at the dock.. She first said there is a campground, showing me on a map. I said if I could be considered a boater and just stay here I'd rather not haul all my stuff up there and leave my kayak down here. She thought that made sense and called her boss.. Had me talk to him and explain and I got a sweet deal. $10 .. I'm sure the campground would have been $20 or more. I just went to the smallest boat length and cheapest dockage.. The floating dock and went behind it and found a place I could pull my loaded boat right up to the grassy picnic area. I have some stuff drying and moved to a picnic table in the shade on the dock. I also found out I paddled into the Central Time Zone today! It's a good feeling. Sounds like a couple light wind days so I should be to Bayfield for camping Monday night.

Just leaving the boat ramp area.

Paddling the Porky's shoreline .. Finally the mouth of the Presque Isle

The river mouth lunch stop

The Black River facility where I got to camp with the big boats!

I like that they let me be a boater even though I'm in a tent...which I haven't set up yet

I like that the sunsets an hour sooner

Having a Pasty and malt at Syl's Cafe in Ontonagon

Camped at the Ontonagon Township Campground.. Having a pasty and chocolate malt. Porcupine Mountains here I come....

A : See Details(Google Map)

West Sleeping River to Ontonagon

I hustled to get going this morning as up to 20 knot winds west winds were forecast. I figured to camp where I'd hoped to get to last night were it not for the storm. The Township Campground a mile from town. It was an easy 17 mile day and potentially a similar shorter day to Union Bay at the start of the Porky's but maybe I'll see if there is a beach access back country site and go further? Supposed to rain tomorrow afternoon so the campground doesn't sound too bad. Anyway here was today.. I left at 7:30 and reached the campground at 11. Only $15 for tenters!

The sunrise becomes more visible all the time .. Note the sand blown into the recesses of my secured kayak.

Fourteen Mile Point .. The old light house property is for sale.. Century 21

Just a ways from Ontonagon

I'm here .. Just in time for lunch

4th of July

Well I left 'campsite' at McLain State Park on the 4th. I wanted to do another long day and get to Ontonagon.. Or at least try. Early in the afternoon the slight ENE wind seemed to be creating waves bigger than it would seem. I heard distant rumbles but never saw anything. Then as I was headed for Fourteen Mile Point the sky ahead did begin to look dark.. I decided I best head for the beach in the bay and pulled into the mouth of the West Sleeping River. I took a swim in the river and then turned on the VHF radio.. They had this special marine warning going on so I started to prepare. Plenty of time an I waited and watched until I figured I might as well go in the tent? As much as I've always wanted to see a waterspout I hoped that portion of the warning wouldn't develop..and it didn't..that I saw. Anyway..it felt much better to be prepared than that much worse stormy night I spent in a changing room with no pad or sleeping bag..wondering if my boat and tent would still be there in the morning...

Leaving the north canal breakwaters .. The shore along the way...

The river mouth .. Preparing m boat for waterspouts?

Tenting in the woods

A storms a coming!

Across Keweenaw Bay & through Keweenaw Peninsula

I was eager to cross Keweenaw Bay so got up and started to heat water for coffee and oatmeal. Next thing you know down comes Phyllis with a cup of coffee for me and an invite to breakfast.. : ) Thanks again!!
Well needless to say the morning glass like calm was gone by the time I set out.. But a light headwind is good on a crossing. The night before it was said it was about 7 miles across from Sand Bay but considering how long it took I doubted that. Looking at the map it looks more like 10 or at least 9. It was nice to finally head into the Portage Lake canal waterway. It was hot and I reveled in the moments a breeze came up. Lots of boat traffic, pontoon boats, power boats pulling inflatable thingies and PWC's seemed the most numerous. Houghton..Hancock seemed nice from the water. I saw the Ranger III at dock...then a lift bridge with the same colors. I had lunch..my only out of boat break for the day, at a City Park with a big playground slide. Then I pushed on .. Eventually deciding to camp at the North Canal Park as I already mentioned.. Yes, I'm writing this days later as I never did one on the through he Peninsula day. I'll date it as it occurred..

Just starting out on the crossing .. Almost to the canal entrance!

Cool old masonry barn converted to a big home .. The route

Approaching the downtown areas .. A ski area on the Hancock side

The Ranger III .. Isle Royale Ferry

City Park I stopped for lunch .. Note the lift-bridge is the same color of Ranger III

On and on.....

Finally... The other side!

First I stopped to check out McLain State Park .. Then I went out and around to North Canal Park only to find out..no more campground .. So I decided to dry stuff and hang out ... Setting my tent up down near the water ? Hard to believe a night of continuous storms were about to develop.

Next morning.. Wind is picking up.. Note how the storm cases waves were passed the vestibule.