MN Johnny - Kayak Adventure Blog

  July 22 Kayak Expedition – Apostle Islands, WI       Solo Trip       Drove up from Seeley early 7-22 directly to Little Sand Bay Got to Little Sand Bay later than desired – arrived at ~ 10:00 AM.   Took 2 full hours to pack up, fix jammed rudder peddle, check weather, etc. When in process of launching – Park ranger warned about Small Craft Advisory..   I told him, it’s OK, I’ve got lots of experience, paddled Canadian shoreline of Lake Superior, etc.    But – I was worried! Strong NE Winds – definitely 20 Knots;   And – I was starting out around peninsula to NE!    Hadn’t had kayak in water in 2 years!!!    I had to fight to get to Point Detour – Little Sand Bay was very sketchy with 3 to 4 ft waves – dead into the wind. Stopped in Raspberry Bay – there was a dock with small commercial operation – no one around;   definite worry about stopping somewhere, and not be abl...

Sept 26-27 Kayak Trip – North Shore MN   Solo Trip;   Tom L / Scott Laven – had interest in trip but had to cancel.            Drove up Friday, 9-25 evening; stayed at Scott Laven’s(Tom’s house).   SATURDAY   Got up 6:00 AM Saturday.. packed up car with add’l camp items from Tom’s garage.    Drove to Two Harbors / Betty’s Pies parking lot.   Betty’s Pies didn’t open until 9:00 AM – line started forming at 8:30, so – just had muffins instead.   Packed bags and got ready.   Launched from parking lot across from Betty’s Pies – Stewart River Weather was FOGGY / after 1 hour of paddling, light rain started.   Paddled ~ 9 Hours – light or steady rain nearly the whole day.   Always foggy with exception of a few 20 minute periods where the fog lifted temporarily. Kayaked approx. 12 miles without stopping – then stopped in Gooseberry;   lots of tourist/hikers about on other side of...