Adventure in the Apostle Islands Part 4

The cove, also known as Quarry Bay located on the south side of Stockton Island; was just what the doctor ordered.  The Genius had anchored on the leeward side of the bay and was safe for the time being. 

Mike, Tim, and I now had a real dilemma.  Who would jump into the cold waters of Lake Superior and secure the Genius to shore with a rope.  It’s amazing how one day the lake will be warm and inviting and the next cold enough to make you question your manhood.  I certainly wasn’t eager to volunteer, being perfectly happy to stay on the boat.

Mike rose to the occasion, or should I say shrank.  With a long mooring line in hand he lowered himself into the water out of the cockpit, submerging chest deep into the lake.  Burrrrrr.  He trudged through the water and emerged soaking onto the beach; where the mooring line was secured to a near by tree.  Now that the Genius was positioned as close as possible to shore, the rest of the crew could depart without having to go swimming. 

We had unwittingly parked just off shore from a very nice camping spot.  The camp had open access to the beach and was equipped with a picnic table, a fire pit, and a bear box.  We immediately lay claim to the camp spot and soon were basking in the beauty of the cove while preparing to barbeque our lunch.  We had also accumulated a fair amount of trash and would burn what we could in the fire.

Mike, Tim, and I stayed in Quarry Bay for the remainder of the afternoon before we left to find greener pastures.  Not that it would have been a bad place to anchor, but the gale was still in full force and had shifted making for a potentially uncomfortable night.  We decided to venture to the east side of Stockton Island, hoping to escape from the relentless wind.

The voyage to the east side of the Island took us about thirty minutes, and once again the Genius was subjected to the high winds and enormous waves cause by the adverse weather.  However, as soon as we rounded the point and headed north, Stockton Island sheltered us from the gale and provided calm seas. 

The Fleet

As we entered the unnamed bay we were greeted with an entire fleet of boats taking shelter from the storm.  Many of which we has seen only hours before in Quarry Bay.  It seems that this was the spot and we were about to join the party.

The bay on the east side of Stockton Island is very large and is home to one of the best beaches on Lake Superior.  Its crescent shape and rolling dunes make for a very picturesque location.  I would highly recommend this location to anyone visiting the Apostle Islands.

Again, because of her shallow draft the Genius was maneuvered very close to shore.  In fact, right up to the beach.  We had come equipped with two anchors, one barrowed off of my boat.  One was set about one hundred feet off shore and the other on the beach, ten feet off the bow.  We had arrived.

Genius on the beach

There we would stay for the next two nights due to the persistent gale.  We were stuck, marooned if you were, by forces beyond our control.  I personally had never been stuck on an island before as was determined to make the most out of the situation.  Unfortunately for us, we would not be accompanied by a boat load of marooned sorority girls who needed a helping hand.  We would have to make due with ourselves, three semi drunk guys crammed together on a small boat.

On the bright side, due to her shallow draft, we could come and go as we pleased; not having to worry about a dinghy to get us to shore.  In fact, one time while departing the vessel, Mike was in such a rush that he managed to do a face plant right on the beach.  Tim and I laughed our asses off.  It was pretty funny.  Fortunately, Mike injured nothing more then his pride.

The next morning found us in the same spot as the night before.  Except this time we all got a good night sleep.  The Genius didn’t so much as wobble and we were thankful for it.

While lounging in the cockpit that morning drinking coffee we noticed a peculiar site; a dinghy floating past devoid of a passenger. 

“Check this out, it’s a dinghy……floating by,” I said, bringing the object to everybody’s attention.

“Get it!” Tim said, immediately rushing out of the cabin to see the great spectacle.  I just sat there dumbfounded, holding my coffee.  I was in my sweats and hadn’t considered jumping into the water to grab the wayward dinghy the best option.  We had moved the Genius at least one hundred feet off the beach for the night, and the water had to be at least waist deep.  No, my thought was to chase after it with the boat.

No sooner then the alarm had been sounded, then Tim stripped down to his shorts and was jumping in the lake after the dinghy.   It was breezy, the gale still in full force, so the dinghy was making its way out to open water.  Tim trudged after it.  In a turn of good fortune, the dinghy was blown into some rocks that were about one hundred yards away.

Tim managed to secure the dinghy without having to completely submerge himself, but he did comment that the water was a bit chilly and that he was now fully awake.  He brought the dinghy back to the Genius.  Soon we would find ourselves back on the beach, dinghy in tow. 

During the course of the day, the crew of the Genius would rescue three wayward dinghies, their owners neglecting to consider that the occasional high wave can wash a small boat right off a beach.  And what about an anchor?  Oh well, all was good, the Genius was ready to assist.  It was Bay Watch, Stockton Island.

For our troubles we received a hardy thanks from the dinghy owners, a spare bottle of propane for our stove, and the use of a satellite phone.  The later used by Tim to assure his wife that everything was alright and the Genius hadn’t sunk.

Inside the Genius

While the owners of the first rescued dinghy were visiting, Tim decided to show off the lavish accommodations enjoyed by the captain and crew, inviting them aboard.  The Genius, a McGregor 23, is not what I would call a spacious vessel.  The husband declined the offer content to drink a beer and continue the conversation.  His wife however, decided to check out the boat.  Tim proudly, escorted her throughout the vessel, while Mike and I got out of the way looking at each other ominously. 

One look on that poor woman’s face said it all.  “How can these men live like this?”  Her face went from a polite and curious smile to a look of pure horror and disgust.  Within seconds, she had seen enough and like a trapped animal, would have chewed off one of her own limbs to get off that boat.  Not soon after, the couple made a hasty retreat back to their own boat. 

During the day spent on Stockton Island the crew enjoyed everything the area had to offer.  We hiked over to the ranger station on the windward side of the island.  That’s where we learned about the severity of the gale.  The station posts current weather conditions on its bulletin board. 

Much time was spent lounging on the beach.  The crew also managed to do a little house keeping on the Genius.  However, there are only so many ways to stow items on a small boat; the end result looking much the same as before we started.

Tim & I

As the day wore on, captain and crew found themselves in the midst of conversation, beer in hand.  At one point Mike even commented that he could sail the outhouse faster than the Genius, and it was probably more seaworthy.  Tim still feels that was an unnecessary comment, but acknowledges the brilliance of the insult.

That evening, with the help of a box of wine, I almost had Tim convinced that he should become a stand-up comedian.  His bit would be to single out audience members and insult them on the spot.  He has a gift.

To be continued……………