July 15 ongoing very dark cloudy weather with intermittent rainfall.
An interesting built-in seat on a spruce tree.
July 15 beard and hair getting longer perhaps even whiter. The trees are in a small area that survived the 2010 wildfire.
The following photos are taken on July 16 as I head out to explore some small lakes. The times listed are those when the photos are taken. Even 13 years after the 2010 fire the regrowth trees are quite short.
05:24 - 05:33 heavy early morning fog, red-orange tinted sun through smoke haze.
05:50 fog lifted but smoke filled sky now very obvious.
06:31 - 06:33 portage over thick Labrador tea as I wind through regrowth pines to find the easiest path to a little lake, able to avoid cutting a portage.
06:41 - 06:44 paddling across the next small lake to find a way to reach another such lake.
09:51 - 09:56 portage to the next lake. I first scout back and forth for the easiest path, clearing a few jack pines to mark the trail and blazing some that survived the 2010 wildfire. The blazes are to help follow what I have decided is the easiest way to walk. Especially when carrying canoe or gear without marking the path I would veer off into more difficult footing. Sweaty and hot the headnet is a necessity because of the blackflies, only removing for breakfast and lunch and when getting back to camp.
The location near the lower end of the portage where I first land. I start the fire to shoo blackflies while eating breakfast at 08:12 (and lunch on the return journey to camp).
July 18 and 20 sunrises through smoke haze.
July 19 a spot to pick blueberries, many still not ripe yet. Blueberry crop would have been much bigger and widespread within the first few years of the fire.
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Summary:
Lots of wind, smoke, rain and hot weather. Multiple thunderstorms in one day flood fireplace. Bushwhack to several small lakes across thick Labrador tea avoiding having to cut trails but must constantly wear headnet against blackflies. A large prehistoric-like raptor proves to be a pelican.
Daily summaries:
July 15: 12°C stove on, rising to 20°C, intermittent rain, strong north wind and very dark clouds since the two days of altocumulus, finally see sun at sunset, a red-orange ball through obvious smoke haze.
July 16: foggy, red-tinted sun through thick smoke haze.
After clearing trail and portaging yesterday I notice several new blackfly bites ... buggers crawl under clothes.
July 17: 12°C, rising to 28°C, dead calm, orange sun through light smoke haze.
Notice that headlamp accidentally was turned on where I carry it in the Waist Pack, probably pressed against the canoe when portaging yesterday. Batteries are almost dead! Aie! It has been stored in doubled Ziploc® bags but obviously not good enough protection. I carry one set of spares for each device but cannot risk the same thing happening again. In all camping devices I use lithium batteries that hold their charge up to nine times longer than regular alkaline. I do not use the headlamp often but when needed it is vital especially if there is a bear encounter after dark. Luckily I have a small Rubbermaid® container just the correct size to repurpose except the lamp is just a bit to big for the lid to close; but with the container placed open end inward it is sealed good enough in the Ziploc® bags.
July 18: 14°C, rising to 28°C, calm, ruby red sun, smoke smell.
While paddling I see an eerie sight, a big bird soaring above a hill in the distance appearing in and out of sight through clouds. It looks like a large prehistoric raptor but I finally recognize it as a pelican. The appearance is exaggerated by my sweaty vision through the tiny holes of the headnet. By the time I get closer the bird has moved on. It is the first pelican seen this year. They are majestic birds in the air soaring on thermals sometimes high enough to be almost out of sight.
July 19: 14°C, rising to 30°C, calm, clear except for smoke haze at horizon as usual making the sun orange when it rises and sets.
July 20: 13°C, rising to 31°C, calm, clear, extra hot in the absence of breeze, sleeping with no clothes on for much of the night. Steady gentle rain for several hours during the night so there must be some cloud now.
July 21: 16°C, rising to 23°C, smoke haze and strong smell all day, calm, overcast.
In the early morning thunder gradually approaches over several hours from the north as the sky darkens only dropping some light rain. However by noon there have been three different thunderstorms pass through, the last with heavy rainfall. Another thunderstorm in late afternoon drops heavy rain and hail, some pea-sized; now there is a moderate north wind. A pool of water floods in and around the fireplace. I give thanks for the rain and the cooler fresh air. In the evening another set of thunder blows in on a strong north wind bringing very heavy rain; merely stepping out in the open would soak me. It pours rain all night. Ironically Jeanette's last text message said "No rain 4u."