Homing And Droning
The early days of September demanded that Esther and I return home after a wonderful summer in The Thousand Islands.
While Esther drove on country roads, I motored the boat past Kingston, then southwest to Waupoos, a tiny settlement in Prince Edward County.
Arriving from the east, the waters are very shallow, so I had to follow a cautious zigzag course to avoid going aground.
Over the years, Esther and I have had many happy rambles at Waupoos, enjoying the abundant sunflowers and hollyhocks, the farm views, big skies, and meals at the winery and the cidery.
Despite all those visits, this was the first time I’ve flown the drone there.
Most often we anchor out in the bay, which is well protected from every direction. But this time, we met at the marina, where an enclosure of floating tires flattens any stray waves. They’re guarded by their resident seagulls and cormorants.
On the far side of the water lies Waupoos Island, which encloses the bay. It’s the summer home for a handful of cottagers and a few hundred grazing sheep.
Occasionally a boat will travel to or fro, but this little island, extending south into Lake Ontario, is a peaceful, isolated paradise. To wander there among the sheep, on a summer’s day, is to experience ultimate tranquility.
As our visit ended, Esther headed home by car, and I untied Second Wind to head for Cobourg.
To make that trip, it’s possible to travel out into the lake and around the distant peninsula. But that’s a long, demanding voyage, only to be contemplated if the winds are favourable. We tried it against the wind once. But only once, and never again!
So, to avoid conflict with the atmosphere, I pointed Second Wind back to the northeast to round Cressy Point, then headed west along Adolphus Reach. Propelled by favourable breezes, I was happy to sail and motor-sail for most of the day.
At the end of Adolphus, I turned north on Long Reach until, near the top, the bay at Green Point came into view. Green Point bay is nicely sheltered from the west and south, which was perfect that day.
After a long day in motion, I was ready for a quiet break. I dropped the anchor at the edge of a large shallow shelf, and launched the drone.
This late in the day, the view from the air was spectacular. Blue skies patterned with clouds formed a multitude of dramatic shapes. An irresistible vision of water, land, and sky demanded to be photographed.
Looking west toward Tyendinaga Mohawk territory, the drone picked up the blinding light of the sun, as its reflection cut across the Highway 49 bridge.
It wasn’t long before I called back the drone and headed below for a good night’s sleep, lulled by the boat’s subtle rocking. Early the next morning, I passed under the highway bridge and travelled the length of the Bay of Quinte, to berth at Trentport Marina.
By the following day, I was back on Lake Ontario and passing the High Bluff Island bird sanctuary. The air above and around it was alive with swooping, wheeling aerobatics.
It was late afternoon when I reached Cobourg. I learned I would have to spend a couple of days there, awaiting the delivery of new batteries for the boat.
That allowed me plenty of time to fly the drone and capture a number of striking images, including this one, energetic dragon boaters and returning day-sailors enjoying the late afternoon sun within the calm of the harbour.
Once I’d installed the batteries, I travelled a final long day on the water before reaching Mimico Cruising Club, our home port. Despite the luxuriant comfort of sleeping at home for the first time in months, I missed the gentle motion of the boat.
I’m documenting this trip now because, as a friend remarked recently, images of summertime can be particularly comforting when the days are cold and dim. So if you like, you can think of this blog as a mental health public service!
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