It's not
exactly floating, but I spent a couple of hours on The Broads today. It's the adventures of the
U.S.S. Cartopper once again!
It was easy to
row through the ice, whilst alternating power on the thin stretches with the electric trolling motor. This "ice-rowing" is not for everybody, but lots of folks seek the sun and solitude of The Broads. Me too.
It's not the first time I've been alone on a bright, sunny day in the middle of the Lake with only ice -- all around -- for company.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/oldforu...mes;read=54043 It occurred to me that only an airboat could come to my rescue should it be necessary. (Maybe a
different ice-rower?)
I photographed Rattlesnake Island from there, while ice completely surrounded the
U.S.S. Cartopper. A pair of mergansers
were very put out that I should interrupt their quietude out there in a small watery opening. (Also photographed).
The troller ran just fine, but it was the oars that were taking the biggest beating -- by bending. Though I had spare oars, McGyver skills would be needed to rig some replacement
oarlocks.
Aircraft were buzzing about. I was startled to see a single-engined STOL
floatplane make an approach from The Broads to make a landing on Wolfeboro airport (which -- I thought -- was closed).
Not a problem: it was equipped with wheeled "amphibious floats", capable of runway landings. Another, a Luscombe, was just making lazy circles over Tuftonboro Neck and Welch Island.
Once again, the water was swimming-pool-clear. My map shows 30 feet at one point where I could see the bottom. (The bottom at 30 feet there is fairly featureless, so it took awhile to locate a "marker").
There
were stares from distant construction workers: Admiration of the
U.S.S. Cartopper's painted-on graphics, I'm certain.
I'd report on other boats out there...but there weren't any!
As I said, "ice-rowing" is not for everybody.
ApS
Where's YOUR boat?
Spoken with the emphasis of "What's in YOUR wallet?"
(A popular TV commercial).
