Basswood Weekend

After a 6 1/2 mile motor shuttle and doing the Prairie Portage we were on Basswood at 10:30 am. It was my first time across this portage and on this part of Basswood. It took an hour and a half to get to an unnamed island SE of Beaver Island. Doug and Mark were waiting there for me. Because of the strong winds their tandem moved much faster that my solo. They had been to campsite choice number one and it was taken, so they waited for me at this island. They had found a campsite on the south side of the island and to there we paddled. It was a good site with lots of room.
After making camp and coffee the guys took a nap. I drank more coffee, pitched my tarp and put together my fishing pole. I really enjoyed the 2 hours of peace and quiet.
Next we went on a wood hunt that went all wrong. We wandered way across the island using several animal trails. We found nice collection of wood. Soon we were headed back. However, we couldn't find the series of trails and opening that lead back to camp. Our salvation was that we were on an island and we knew if we headed toward the water we could follow the shoreline around to camp. I made it back to camp but couldn't believe how far we had wandered.
Supper was ribeyes grilled to perfection. The side dish was broccoli and rice. The evening was spent watching the fire and contemplating the wonderfullness of a wilderness weekend.
I slept well that night awaking at 6am and then going back to sleep till 10. We had scrambled eggs and spam for breakfast. It was delicious. The morning was filled with conversation. At 12:30 we took a canoe trip to the other side of the island to get fire wood. I found an 8 inch diameter balsam and Doug found a several super pieces of ash. We took it back to camp and sawed it up. An afternoon swim proved that the water wasn't that cold. We were exhilarated and rejuvinated by the experience. We felt we were totally emersed in a wilderness experience. Doug, feeling inspired by the oneness of creation decided to embark on a two hour silent meditation respite in his tent. Mark and I went fishing with the aqua thrashers. The wind had died down and we fished near several motor boaters. We drowned 7-8 minnowswhile weaving between the motorheads. Eventually they all left and we fished their spots with success proven by one 3 pound northern. We headed back to camp after fishing for only a little while longer. I should have marked this spot with my gps but i didn't have it along.
Doug had been up for an hour contemplating the mormon treatise. He had been reading " Under the Banner of Heaven" I haven't read anything but the Mesabi Daily News. Supper was jumbolia and northern. Mark taught me how to fillet so that it had no bones. It was fabulous. Fried with canola oil and Shore Lunch fish coating. Spiced to personal preferences. Dish washing made the meal experience complete. We all shared in the work and it was very satisfying. We enjoyed the dense molecular composition of the ash doug found in the woods as it burned in the fire that night. At one point we watched 6-7 ants evacuate a log and succum to the flames. We sympathized with their fight to survive. Mark says that some people feel that life is a bitch and then you die. The reality of it is attitude is everything. Weekends like this help me adjust my attitude to keep a positive perspective about people, the planet and life in general.