Thursday, July 3, 2025, Covered Portage

It was a quiet night. No rain, thunderstorms or high winds appeared. While laying in bed I remembered that when we had our dingy on Excalibur we inflated and deflated it from a dock. That would have been much easier than what we did. I'm sure we will deflate it on a dock, then carry it on board in its little bag. I wonder why I did not think of that before?

The weather check indicates a nice few days of weather coming. No rain until Sunday. Light winds this morning building this afternoon. We should be safely anchored well before then. 

We pulled up anchor right on schedule at 8:00 AM. By 9:00 we were at the Sportsman's Inn gas dock where we got diesel and a pumpout. $28.50 for a pumpout. Annie took 38 gallons of fuel, so it's obvious the tank was not filled last time. 

Lighthouse marking the Killarney Channel

Voyager at the Sportsman's Inn

Annie with dingy in tow.

Voyager was tied near the fuel dock. We saw no sign of the Orro's and assumed it was breakfast time for them. Kerry went in to visit while I tended to the servicing of Annie. I joined Peter and Kerry in the restaurant and we visited until another boat pulled up to the fuel dock and we had to leave so it could get to the pumpout. Marianna had gone to the bakery and got us 1/2 loaf of homemade bread and an apple fritter. She got a big hug as a reward. The fritter did not make it to Covered Portage. Today's travels were 9 total miles, at an average speed of only 5.4 knots. Total moving time was 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Annie's Cute Crew!

We picked a nice spot in Covered Portage, near a dramatic rock formation. Usually we go further up in the cove, but the rock formations are more interesting here. There were only about 1/2 dozen boats here when we arrived. It can hold 30 or so I believe. 

We were washing Annie when Voyager arrived. Voyager got a nice spot ride next to Annie. Annie really needed a good washing. Our progress was slowed as we only have one scrub brush. I told Kerry I would buy her her own brush, but she does not want one, thinking that boat washing is my job. She only got involved because she had two fenders to clean as punishment because of some snarky comments she made. We are now calling out each other for snarky comments. Actually, she did a nice job of cleaning today so I somewhat hope she continues to drop a  snarky comment or two.

It cooled off toward the end of the afternoon. I tried to sit outside in the sun and read, but clouds and a cool breeze sent me inside. Kerry read, napped and organized the afternoon away.

We made our first ride to Voyager in our new dingy today as Marianna invited us for drinks and dinner. We "snuck up" on them because the motor is so quiet. We had a very nice cocktail hour on the back deck of Voyager with lots of delicious nuts and cheeses. 

The setting sun provided wonderful lighting for picture taking, so I did several of the rocks and trees behind us, and a couple of Annie too.

After cocktails we had a tasty Spanish Tostada with homemade cocktail sauce and cabbage coleslaw. A brambleberry individual pie for dessert completed the meal. Yum! Peter and I went to the bridge deck for an after dinner cigar while the ladies discussed plans for the clambake we are hosting with the Karpinski's in September. 

We motored back to Annie. The wind had died so our dingy behaved perfectly. We "docked" at Annie the first try. Kerry is learning to get in and out of the dingy gracefully which is somewhat difficult for her because of hip and knee issues. That's what doomed our inflatable kayak. 

Peter is coming over tomorrow for cappuccinos and donuts. We will probably fish afterwards. Our instructions from the ladies are to fish but not to catch anything because they have a traditional July 4th dinner planned - hot dogs, baked beans, etc. 

Marianna found this for Peter and me. Sounds like it was written by Big Jim.

It's absolutely still now as I finish writing this blog post. Should be a great sleeping night. Peter showed me how I can set Starlink to sleep and wake up on the schedule I set. This morning I had to physically get out of bed to turn it on when I wanted to listen to the radio. No more thanks to Peter!