Breaking free, a visit to the pictographs, 10,3,2012

It was a perfect day to be in the Boundary Waters.  It was approaching 70 with blue skies and gentle breezes.  We portaged from the parking lot to the lake and were soon headed for the next portage, which was just a short carry.  The water was very blue with just a slight texture from the wind.  We all loved the rocks, trees and ethereal arrangement made by the glaciers 10,000 years ago.  The beauty of this Boundary Waters environment bathed our spirits in peace and awe.  The pictographs  gave remembrance of a spirit world that many believed they entered when in the North woods.  We wondered at the hunter, wolf and moose portrayed by ancient artists hoping for favor by the spirits while on their next hunt.  Next we paddled to the "Bog".   Several walked on the floating masses of earth and plants, amazed that nature could make such a thing.  We followed that by paddling deeper into the bog till we got to solid ground and went ashore.  We searched the area looking for the remains of pink showy lady slippers.  We found none but the walking to the edge of the cliff and seeing the view was inspiring.   We paddled for 15 more minutes and found a nice spot for lunch.  Bratts, chips and an assortment of sweets made for excellent dining.  Realizing that we needed to head back to fulfill responsibilities we quickly packed up and headed home.

Two from the East paddle to Lake Three, 8,26-28,2012

We had traveled several hours before we were stopped by the afternoon winds.  I knew the winds would persist for the remainder of the day.   We had a nice lunch and made camp.  Steaks, sweet corn, baked potatoes and salad made for a great supper.  The winds died down later in the evening so we paddled to an idyllic island in the middle of the lake and watched the sunset.  It was nice to be out on the water after several hours of wind bound.  The morning brought less wind and we took off on an extended day trip up to Fire Lake.  The route was beautiful, with many glacier sculpted rocks and tree lined shores.  We had lunch at a very remote campsite and enjoyed the sun and cool breezes.  We had Calzones for supper and enjoyed a rousing game of Phase 10.   Chloe  the Cocker Spaniel enjoyed all the attention she received from the admiring canoeists.  We packed up in the morning and headed for Dangerous Waters which was only a little out of our way on the paddle out.  We hiked the trail taking many photos of the rushing water and granite outcrops.  After lunch on a very scenic giant rock we began to paddle the last couple hours to the take-out.  It was very satisfying to show off the serene beauty and solitude that the BWCA  offers.  I hope these two ladies return next year for a longer period of time.   It was very nice traveling with them.

Greg, Gregory and Andrew go to Lake Two, 8,20-22,12

The four of us headed across Lake One on our first canoe trip together.  We paddled past many beautiful shorelines, narrow channels and wide open lakes.  We crossed two short portages to Lake Two very efficiently.   Because it was the end of the busy season we didn't see many other canoeists.  We were fortunate to find my favorite campsite empty.  We pitched camp right away and set up some northern bait on bobbers off the west rock.  Supper was started after a firewood expedition.  We enjoyed sweet corn, baked potatoes, salad and grilled chicken.   For dessert we had S'mores.   Everyone went to bed early.  The next morning progressed with bacon and eggs and lots of coffee.  We rigged up  for trolling and headed for a large bay to the east of camp.  We worked our way east and tried to cover the deep water hoping to find a Northern.  We then looped around some structure and found ourselves on the north shore heading west.  All of a sudden Greg's line went taught and then broke.  We looked back to see an Eagle flying away with the fish and lure that was on Greg's line.  What an awesome experience.  We then headed for the Dangerous Waters trail.  We hiked the trail and had a lunch on the rock.  The river was beautiful  here and we took many photos of the area.  We headed back to camp and continued shore fishing while the boys climbed rocks and enjoyed the woods.  They were very much at  home in the wilderness.  Supper was Calzones made over the fire, and then later in the evening we had S'mores.  We fished the evening away hoping that a Northern would find our bait attractive.  At about 8pm Greg caught a nice Northern.  I cleaned it and saved it for breakfast in the morning.  Our last day's breakfast was the Northern, bacon and fried eggs.  We were packed and on the water around 10am.  The paddle out through the lakes that returned us to the landing  was peaceful and beautiful with full sunshine and gentle breezes.

Mina and Josh go to the BWCA, 8,11-14,2012

We traveled efficiently across Birch and Carp Lakes and arrived at our lunch spot.   Mina decided that the campsite we were having lunch on was a good one to camp on.  After pitching camp we went to the outflow of the river and set anchor.   We fished for several hours catching many Smallies.  It was their first time fishing and they were successful.  That night we had sweet corn, fish, baked potatoes and smores for supper.   The next morning we loaded up a lunch and some fishing tackle and headed out on a day trip.  We crossed several portages and paddled several lakes and rivers.  We had  lunch and spent our time photographing and exploring.  On the return trip we fished and caught many more Smallies and some were huge.  It was a great time.   For supper we had steak, chicken, fish and rice.    What a feast.   In the morning we had pancakes and bacon to prepare us for the paddle out.  The wind was strong but we were stronger.  It was a great trip, I really like Josh and Mina.  I hope to paddle with them again.

Ron and Joe on Knife Lake, July 30 to August 5, 2012

On our first day we paddled and portaged about 12 miles.  We enjoyed sweet corn, steak, salad and potatoes for our inaugural meal.  After bacon, eggs and hash browns for breakfast the next morning we paddled another 4 miles to what I call "home" on the middle arm of Knife Lake.  We spent the afternoon at the Bass Hole nearby and caught enough for supper.  I diced and rolled them in Cajun fish coating.  I served them on tortillas with rice.   Ron especially like the spicy flavor of my fish tacos.   Our next day trip took us to a waterfall that was a portage and 4 miles away.  Ron caught a Walleye and Joe scored with several bass.  We spent lunchtime in the cool mist of the falls.  That evening we had a fish fry and it was super delicious.  The fourth morning found us paddling towards Thunder Point.  The view from the top was awesome.  The canoes and people below looked like toys moving around in a giant forest full of water.   On the way back to  camp we spent several hours trolling deep for Lake Trout, and after a few miles we had nothing.   We paddled into my "Last Hope Bay"    We made several passes that covered the whole bay.  On the last turn to initiate the last pass Joe snagged something.  He was sure he was stuck on a rock or tree branch.  He had to reel with great effort and was sure he was retrieving a large branch.   Finally, after several minutes of toil, we caught a glimpse of what it was.  It was a 4 pound Lake Trout.  We couldn't have been happier.   That evening we covered it in onions, wrapped it in tin foil and roasted it over a bed of coals.   It was delicious.   We now had caught a Walleye, a Smallie and a Lake Trout.  To complete our mission of catching  the "Big Four"  our last last layover day was spent trolling and casting for Northerns.  Our efforts were futile and our theory was that the water was so warm that the giants had all moved to deep water.   We rebounded by catching several Smallies and  eating them for supper.  Our next to last day found us heading down river and covering about 14 miles of portages, rivers and lakes to our last campsite on Birch Lake.   Ron and Joe continued to fish for Northerns from shore as it was too windy to fish from the canoe.  We had Calzones for supper and prepared for our last leg of the journey, which took us back to civilization in the morning.  Ron and Joe were wonderful  to travel with.  I wish them goodness in their lives and hope that I can travel with them in the future.

Joel and friend on the Kawishiwi River, July 23-26, 2012

We started at the Lake One landing and headed south on the Kawishiwi River.  We paddled through beautiful canyons of abstract rock formations.  It was like travelling through an enchanted land you might see in a fantasy movie.  The rocks were covered with moss, ferns and trees of all sizes and kinds.   We eventually paddled and portaged into the main part of the river and made our way downstream until we found an island to camp on.  The tents were pitched, supper grilled on the fire and fishing gear prepared for an evening of hunting for the elusive Walleye and what ever else we could catch.   The fertile weed beds of the area produced a Northern and a Bluegill.  They were delicious for breakfast with eggs and pancakes full of blueberries that we picked on our first day.  We continued our travels south and happened on a weed bed with a little current going through it.  We spent 3 hours there catching Walleye and quiet shattering Smallies.  It was a lot of fun.   We cleaned them and had lunch and a continued our way down south.  We traversed a lengthy portage and continued on our way to Gabbro.  When we got there the campsites were all  taken and we were forced to camp on a slab beach.   We cooked the fish and made some rice and were really glad that we found somewhere to camp after such a long day.   In the morning we checked the site across the bay and found that they were leaving soon.  We dropped off some packs and went fishing.  We caught more Walleye and Smallies as we floated in and around a nearby bay.  We had another fish fry mid-afternoon  and spent the evening fishing every weed bed within a short distance of our campsite.  We had a little action, but no trophies.  On our way out in the morning we stopped for several hours and fished a narrow, rock lined area of the river that had a good current.  We caught several Smallies.  Alas, we left there to do the monster portage up to the parking lot.  It was a wonderful 4 days  and I hope to fish with Joel again sometime.  

The Hogans on Lac La Croix, July 10-15, 2012

On the first day we paddled to Agnes and camped.  We enjoyed fire grilled meat and potatoes for supper and prepared for another day of travelling.  Our second day took us through Boulder Bay past Warrior Hill and the Pictographs and then West into Fishstake Narrows.  The campsite we had hoped for was open.  We made camp and did a little fishing.   In the morning of the third day we fished some more and caught Smallies and a few Walleyes.  On our second layover day we we paddled to Kelsey Lake and trolled for Northerns.  Our luck continued to be good and we went back to camp with several.   After another big fish fry we took photos of the boys jumping in front of the sunset.  On our fifth day we paddled 3/4 of the return journey.  We camped on Nina Moose Lake.  On our last morning we paddled upstream on the Moose River and by early afternoon we were portaging the last leg of our trip into the parking lot. 

Sally and her friends, 6,14-15,12

The group was a foursome of adventurers from the west.  I took them on two back to back day trips into the BWCA.  Our first journey was to a lake with Pictographs, Pitcher Plants, Pink Showy Lady slippers and a floating bog.  They enjoyed all of this plus a stroll down a 200 rod portage just to spend some time in the woods.  The second day was to another chain of lakes to the east of town.  We traveled through portages, canyons, rivers and woods.  We continued our trip on the main part of the lake to a couple portages to the next lake.  While there we had lunch on a rock overlooking the rapids and hiked a nearby trail.  We wondered at the moss, ferns and plants along the trail.  We enjoyed a high overlook that gave us a view of  more rapids and a graceful curve in the river.  The paddle back was difficult for the first mile due to 25mph winds.  However, we soon found protection from the gales as we wove our way around islands and points.  Then the last two miles we were with the  wind and hardly had to paddle at all.  It was a good two days paddling in the Boundary Waters.  I hope they return.

KW to Lake Three, June, 2012

We covered paddling skills and water safety ideas at the Lake One landing.  We were paddling with RK and six of his advisees from school.  There were 4 boys and 3 girls.  They all adapted to the new skills required to move a canoe through the water.  We made it to Lake Three in a few hours. Our lunch spot turned into the campsite we would spend the whole time.   There was a main camp area where I camped and we did all the social and cooking things.  Then down a trail to the north were the other tentsites right next to the perfect jumping rock.    That evening the boys and I paddled to Lake Four to catch what ever we could get to bite our hooks.   It was a beautiful evening fishing and watching the sunset.  The boys totaled a northern and a smally.  We took them to the campsite, fried them in the morning and served them with Sturdiwheat pancakes.  At noon on our second day we paddled into Lake Four and up to the first portage on the way to Hudson.  We beached the boats and walked the portage to have lunch on the far side.  We marveled at the fire burned forest.  The south side of the portage was totally black and the north side was only spots of burn.  The portage had acted as a fire break.  We returned to camp for swimming and then supper.   Again the boys and I headed out for an evening of fishing.  The continued high pressure system over us had shut off the fish.  It was, however, a wonderful evening paddling around, enjoying fellowship and the awesome woods and lakes of northern Minnesota.   We spent the next half day hanging in camp, swimming and packing up to depart before severe weather arrived.  The kids paddled and portaged like pros on the way out.  It would be great to go on a longer trip with them.    It was very nice to camp with this group.

Robert and I headed through the first lake and across a short portage to the second lake.  While on the portage we prepared our tackle for a little bass and northern action.  As we toured the hotspot Robert latched onto 2 nice bass.  As we continued on towards the pictographs we trolled with no luck.  The pictographs were beautiful and after a short while we headed for the bog.  There we saw the remains of last years crop of picture plants and observed the floating land masses that they grew on.   We also had a few nibbles and one big strike that brought Robert out of his seat as the mighty northern powered away with his lure.  We continued fishing on the return trip but with no more luck.  We crossed the portage and headed to the landing while paddling through rippled blue water.  It was a good day.

A Quik Daytrip, 5,25,12

Six of us left the Lake One landing mid-morning.  There were 3 adults and 3 teenagers.  We zig zagged our way through channels and bays to the main part of the lake, and headed south right into a strong wind.  We put forth maximum effort and covered a mile of waves and whitecaps.   At the first campsite we stopped for lunch.  Bratts and an assortment of other goodies made our lunch.  We greatly enjoyed the breeze, sunshine, fresh air and company of each other.  The woods were beautiful with fresh green, blue sky and blue sparkling water.  Our return trip was easy at first because we were going with the wind.   The trip through the narrow channels into the winds  was difficult for some. We all made it to the landing eventually.   It was a wonderful day complete with the wind and into the wind paddling.  It was especially fun to watch the girl's canoe power ahead of us as if they had a 2 horse kicker.  

Opener, 5,10-14,2012....Seagull

It was a bright and sunny day as we paddled away from the landing. There were gentle breezes that didn't require a lot of effort to move through.  Our group included Norm in his new solo boat, and BB and I in my new Champlain. It took us one hour to get to our favorite spot and no one had taken it.  Camp was made and we all relaxed after several days of preparation, travel and logistics.  I fried a steak for supper and turned in early, it was supreme to be in the woods and lakes.   Slept for a luxurious 10 hours that night.   Most of the morning was spent under the tarp because of occasional showers.  Coop and Brian showed up around 1pm.  When I crawled out of the tent the next morning BB walked into camp from the east rock and was carrying two lake trout, nice ones.  Norm and I headed for the bay to the west of camp.  We trolled for 2 1/2 hours making 7-8 passes around the bay and were rewarded with  a nice lake trout and a good northern.  After lunch we paddled  to the east bay and worked the waters for an hour with no luck.  We returned to camp to find almost everyone there and they had fish also.  I took a 2 second swim, refreshing but shocking.  Most everyone lounged and napped.  Supper was French onion soup, salad, sweet corm and baked trout.  Very filling and delicious.  The remainder of the evening was spent around the fire with the 9 of us partaking in several conversations at once.  It was fun to listen and tell your stories too.  It was wonderfull to be a part of such a nice weekend.  After everyone turned in I watched the fire for a long time unable to give up on such a great day in the woods.  I awoke to a windy day, everyone fished off the rock to the east because the waves were too big to fish out of a canoe.  At 11 Bill P. and Todd took off into the malestrom.  They successfully made their way into the channel and were gone.  We then had a brunch of Sturdiwheat pancakes.  The afternoon was spent reading, writing, napping, relaxing and fishing.  We were trapped in paradise by the two foot waves racing down the lake.  We didn't mind being idle because the previous day was so busy.   Norm says:  This is  my second trip to the boundary waters. It has been a really great trip.  We have caught all the fish we can eat will probably take some back. It has been nice to see friends again and also meeting new people who love camping and being outdoors.  Seagull is a huge lake and we are having a very windy day which kind of scares me about going out tommorrow.  The temps have been unbelievably warm and comfortable.  It is truly an honor to be invited to the Bill Club and I am looking forward to coming again.   Brian says:  It has been great getting with new friends and old.  Fishing is good for some and so so for others. Typical.  Rain , wind, sun and glorious scenery.  Just isn't the northwoods if you don't get wet, cold and too hot.  It's always interesting to see the plants that grow precariously from the rock cliffs. A little pine in a 1 inch depression or a columbine 4 inches above the waves.  Also enjoyed seeing the local Fisher slink through camp.  Bill's for ever.  Mark C. says:  Changing the 4 F's is what has happened as I've aged,  They are now  "friends" "food" "fun" and "fishing"   There is no better way to experience the 4F's than the fishing opener.  Mark E. says:  That this annual trip keeps him grounded. The busy hectic world that we live in has a tendancy to change us. Even as we pack and prepare for the trip it can be hectic.   Things we wanted to do, to bring or repair before the trip don't always get done. We throw what we have into our backpacks and go anyway.   If I forget something, someone will have it. If I didn't do it someone else at the camp will help me get it done. We come from different locations with different backgrounds and the BWCA helps us all get together and have a fabulous outing.  Sitting around the fire or on a rock sunning ourselves I seem to get a better perspective of what life's all about. It is like I am visiting my roots.  This stays with me well into the year. By next May I'm going to need another dose. My body has gotten older and scarred with parts functioning but compromised.  My mind is always revitalized by the trip. My outings with the "Bill Club"  are theraputic and keep me balanced.  I always look forward to the trip and my wife and family see and know how important this is for me.  Bill B says:  NW 73.8 x SE 73.8, that folks is where the trout are. That and several  other locations on the lake.  The trick (luck) is how to catch and land them.  Seems like I've had that luck the past few trips up to the lakes with the "Bill Club" over the years.  No skill or expensive gear is needed, just a  lot of effort.  Griffy says you can't catch fish sitting in camp. I suspect that is why Griffy doesn't seem to catch many. Although someone seems to feed and care for the crew, and Griffy does a good job of that.  Feeding us from dawn to dusk.  Always there is a special entree on the menu.  This year it was Onion soup, very filling and delicious.  There was also salads and sweet corn to add to the baked trout.  Warm weather, wind and plenty of sunshine has kept us all in good spirits.  One more bag night and it's back to our separate homes and loves. Always enjoyable and relaxing to be with the "Club", the Bill Club, a good mix of fellowship that continues to excite and make me want to return year after year.  Thanks to my friends for their entries in my blog.  The trip continues the next morning, our last breakfast.  We started early so we could beat the mid-day winds.  We succeeded.  The sun was bright in the eastern sky and we all wished we were headed deeper into the woods rather than heading for the take-out.   It was a beautiful day and we were all glad to be paddling after our wind bound camp yesterday.

Lake Four, April, 26-30,2012

We departed the Lake One landing amongst a dozen Forest Service workers.  Most left before we did.  The paddle through Lake One was glorious.  The sky was clear and the breezes were gentle.  We crossed the portages smoothly and were in the middle of Lake Two in an hour and a half.  We stopped at the first campsite as we entered Lake Three.  While there a research crew from the Forest Service arrived and began to make camp there.  We visited for a while.  We met Kevin, one of the leaders and a couple named Burt and Johnnie.  They were researching and mapping the burn area.  We then continued our journey to Lake Four.  One of my favorite campsites was available and unburned.  Camp was pitched and coffee made.  Everyone enjoyed the break and Terry joined in the conversation and camaraderie even though he didn't drink coffee.  It was a pleasant but chilly evening and we all went to bed early.  I had gotten cold and it took an hour and a half to warm and go to sleep.  We had pancakes and bacon provided by Joe for breakfast the next morning.  It was a very cool morning and when it warmed up at mid day we headed for Fire Lake.  We struggled through several windfalls near the second portage as we traveled.  We paddled nearly to the end of Fire before we got to a sunlit campsite.  We enjoyed a great lunch hour while basking in full sunshine. On the return trip the windfalls were navigated efficiently having negotiated them previously.  We enjoyed another evening of food and conversation.  Awoke early the next morning and had pleasant and long morning of talking and laughing.  After a tortilla and tuna lunch we  headed for Bridge Lake.  The route was beautiful as we paddled and portaged our way west.  The lakes were narrow and lined with mother nature's rock sculptures.  It was constant visual delight.  When we got back to camp we had coffee and treats, scrumptious.  It was much warmer that evening and we really enjoyed our conversations.  I went to my tent before dark.  The morning was warm as we devoured our pancakes.  Terry and Joe had to leave and watching them paddle away was like watching the end of a good movie.  They were very mellow and capable wilderness canoeists and it was great traveling with them.  During the afternoon Norm and I read and journaled.  We also paddled around our part of Lake Four and got a close-up view of the campsites that were burned. Two Forest Service workers were cutting trees and rehabilitating one of the campsites we visited.   In the morning we had a leisurely breakfast and packed up.  We paddled out knowing we had responsibilities to fulfill but enjoyed the wilderness views along the way.

3,9-11,2012 Duncan Lake

Norm, Sadie and I walked across the crusted lake for 2 hours before we got to our second choice campsite.  The first choice was taken.  Foolishly I did not bring snowshoes and broke through the crust into the slush on almost every step.  It was extremely difficult.  Norm wore snowshoes and moved along quite easily.  After supper it turned cold and windy and soon we were in our tents warm and comfortable.  I slept really well that night and enjoyed coffee and bagels for breakfast.  Bill P. showed up with cookies which we enjoyed with another cup of coffee.  Norm and BP went fishing and I enjoyed a beautiful spring morning in camp.  After lunch I joined them on the north side of the peninsula.  We were out of the wind and in full sunshine.  It was a glorious afternoon, with Norm catching the only fish.  For supper I made a chicken, rice, tomato and cayenne pepper medley.  It was good but could have used a little more zing.  It wasn't bad and Sadie enjoyed gobbling down the last one third.   Later in the evening we stood out on the lake looking at the dark sky.  The stars were burning pinpoints in an inky universe. There was no wind and the conversations were about constellations and when will the moon rise. We could see a glow behind the tree line to the east but after an hour the moon still hadn't risen.  The dogs played together like old friends.  We found Orion, The Big Dipper and Polaris looking down on us in our winter paradise.  It was a very peaceful ending to a great day in the wilderness.  My heart is full of contentment and happiness now that I've been in the wilderness for a day.  Bill P. wrote the following:  Wow! I almost didn't bring my snowshoes also. I started out with them lashed to my sled as I crossed Bearskin Lake.  No big deal because I followed Griff's and Norm's trail and several snowmobile trails.  After crossing the portage I ran into the crust/slush thing that the other dealt with.  I went all most all the way across Duncan before I put my snowshoes on.  It was much easier then. When I arrived at camp Maggie, my dog, was protective until we all warmly greeted each other.   Every year I sit in my warm house and contemplate whether I should winter camp or not.  Sitting so far away physically from this place it is easy to think non-nomadicly: to stay home, eschew the adventure and continue to live my life in a safe and predictable way.  However, as I write this I am sitting a swath of winter sunlight. There is barely a breeze blowing.  I have had coffee and oatmeal,  I am very content and comfortable from a physical standpoint.   I pause and think how lucky I am to have decided to venture out to this place of beauty and solitude. Again, I am reminded that home may not be the place where we have possessions and a place to stay.  It is maybe more important to have a beautiful place, free of emotional clutter, with good people and away from ones possessions.      Norm wrote the following:  Having a great trip with Grif and Bill. Any trip with the Bill's is always great. The temps are perfect for March in the BWCA.  The views are something you have to be here for.  No fresh fish but that's secondary and it really doesn't matter except for bragging when you get home.  Your memory always adds about a pound to the fish.  There is some weekend snowmobile noise but it's not that bad.  At least 3 campsites are being used and maybe 4.  So others are also considered nuts by their friends and co-workers.  I have never been to this campsite.  So this was also a new experience for me.  I hope this can go on for many more years.  Thanks to Norm and Bill for their entries.  In the morning we fished in glorious sunshine for two hours over the hot spot.  We had packed and hauled our gear out to the fishing hot spot so we could leave when we were done fishing.  The crust was froze solid so the hike out was easy and fast.  It was 51 degrees, a signal the spring was not far away.  We were pleased to get a March trip to a wilderness lake.