Sunday July 30In the quiet of the morning, we take care of chores we had planned to do at Davis Lock. Craig runs the generator to roast coffee and heat water for the day. I work on the blog and try to catch up with the newspapers. Even though the generator is making a racket, a pair of loons come by on their fishing rounds.
Using our electronic charts, we successfully work our way through shallow channels and anchor in Upper Stouts Bay. The dinghies are splashed into the water and motors attached. Soon we are off to make our way into Loon Lake. Like most of this area we see scattered cottages in areas accessible by ferry or road. Inbetween are areas of march, weed, and rocky coast. Seeking to get to Bedford Mills, we encounter a large osprey nest. In the vicinity there are 4 birds screeching. Apparently the 2 parents are teaching the 2 almost grown chicks to hunt and to keep clear of humans. Using our cell phones, we see we have to make it under a road bridge to reach the mill. This is a challenge as the current underneath is strong and has created a pile of sunken branches. We take a trial run and see there is a deep spot in the middle of the debris. Turning back to get some distance, we take a running start and make through this gap. Just arounf the corner we see the old mill. The stream which used to power the mill now comes under a road bridge and past the far side of the mill. We take the dinghies along the mill into the race and are swept arund into a back eddy so we can do it again! All in all it’s quite fun and the local is beautiful. The only downside is the mill is now a private home. A man moving from 1 building to another appears to be the own who is obviously less than thrilled to have strangers in his watery backyard.
Once back at tyhe boats we enjoy a swim. There is a family of loons which seems to be based near the point of Conepatus’s bow. We hear their calls and watch them teach the 2 chicks to dive and hunt.
Conepatus 