Shallow Water Stops our Barge during Passage
With warmer weather comes shallow water which stops our barge while attempting passage into the bay where the boat ramp is located. Our barge is fully loaded and the shallow waters are preventing us from reaching shore! This passage is in trouble… Melodi to the rescue!!
Table of Contents
- Stowing the Cabin for Winter
- Opal Runs All the Way to Berry Point
- Weight of the Excavator Grounds the Barge
- Looking for Safe Passage through Shallow Water
- Trying ‘Plan B’
- Back for the CAT to Try Again…
- Melodi’s Idea Works!
- Winch Woes… Some McGuyvering Required
Stowing the Cabin for Winter
As we prepare for the winter months, we need to ensure our cabin is properly stowed. This includes organizing storage space for our bins and other essentials. We have also reached out to a company to tackle our mosquito and fly problem effectively. We’ve ordered an organic spray, similar to what they use in Orlando to keep those pesky insects at bay. It’s all-natural and we’re excited to see how it works!
Opal Runs All the Way to Berry Point
Opal, our adventurous pup, has been quite the explorer lately. She didn’t want to get into the boat, and we had to head over to Berry Point. Imaging our surprise when we docked at Berry Point, only to find Opal there! I guess she decided that running there was a better idea then a boat ride! She seems to have a knack for finding her way around the island, and her joy is infectious. Watching her frolic around the saskatoon berries reminds us of the beauty of this wilderness.
Weight of the Excavator Grounds the Barge
As we loaded the barge, we quickly realized that the weight of the excavator was causing issues. The barge was tightly packed, leaving little room for maneuvering. This situation made for a tense moment as we struggled to keep everything balanced. We had to use the excavator bucket to push us off!
Looking for Safe Passage through Shallow Water
The lake level was really low, and with the barge scraping the lake bottom we needed to think creatively. Melodi jumped in and search for a deeper channel. Despite the shallow water threatening our barge passage, her determination shone through. The barge was drawing less than two feet of water, but a deeper channel could not be found. We had to backtrack a couple of miles to find a suitable access point.
Trying ‘Plan B’
After scouting potential channels to no avail, we retreated a couple of miles to an alternate boat ramp with deeper waters. This was our chance to offload the CAT and lighten our load. The barge was visibly listing from the weight, and we needed to act quickly to avoid getting stuck again. With a little teamwork and some luck, we managed to get the excavator off the barge.
Back for the CAT to Try Again…
With the CAT off the barge, we felt a sense of relief. We were riding higher in the water, and we were now able to get through the channel and offload the barge – by hand! After that, it was time to run back for the excavator. The process felt like a game of musical excavators, and we were crossing our fingers that this time we could get through the mouth of the bay without grounding the barge.
Melodi’s Idea Works!
Well, there were some tense moments alright, but Melodi’s idea finally worked! We were able to navigate through the shallow water and avoid grounding the barge again. It felt like a small victory, but one that was essential for our progress. We managed to unload the excavator and get back to our main building site without further issues.
Winch Woes… Some McGuyvering Required
As we prepared to winterize the motor, the winch decided to give us trouble. Ryan, ever the problem-solver, jumped into action to fix the issue. With some creative thinking and a bit of improvisation, we managed to get the winch working again. It’s moments like these that remind us how important it is to be resourceful when living in the Canadian wilderness.
As we wrap up this adventure, we are reminded of the beauty and unpredictability of life off the grid. Each day brings new challenges and triumphs. For more insights into our life, feel free to check out our Facebook or our Instagram for updates.