We arrived at the Lake Two Hilton campsite around noon. This was after the 8 of us paddled for 3 hours from the landing on Lake One. The students responded well to paddling instructions. Some were experienced and the rest had it figured out after a mile or two. Portaging went well, however Tony slipped with a pack on and ended up sitting in a foot of water. He was unhurt but wet. He finished the journey with out changing clothes or getting cold. At camp, pitching tents was an exercize in geometry. Everyone assembled their tents successfully with a little help.
Lunch was served with hot cocoa and coffee. It was a cool and windy day and the food tasted especially good. Freetime passed with wood gathering and conversation. The evening was rounded off with macaroni and cheese, fire roasted hot dogs and smores. Louie's Ipod entertained us with a handfull of songs. Some we sang along with. I told some bear stories and all in all it was an excellent evening. Everyone went to bed at 9.
In the morning it was raining as it did most of the night. By the time we were done eating homemade donuts under the tarp, the rain had stopped. I introduced Jim Brandenberg's "Chasing the Light". We talked about how he took a whole fall season to document photographically the change in the woods. We only have 4 days. So we took all the pictures we could. Trying to make each one worthy for our display board when we got home. After some group and individual pictures we headed for the Rock Island Lake portage. We hiked the trail with Tylor leading most of the way. It was a rugged trail with roots, rocks, water and downed trees. We took some pictures but the sky was gray and the woods weren't very colorful. Everyone enjoyed the challenge of hiking this trail and several of us fell but there were no injuries. Next we headed for the Dangerous Waters portage, with a brief stop at Kincaid's camp. His group was gone and we needed a break. The wind had picked up and when we left the protection of the islands we were hit by it's full force. Once again Ty and Tony lead the way. They are a very strong paddling team. We had lunch on an overlooking rock at the begining of the portage. Afterwards the kids took their cameras and explored all the photo oportunities along the trail. High on a cliff I took many group and individual shots. Kayla was getting very good at operating a single lens reflex camera that I loaned her. At 3pm the kids went back to camp and Sheri and I went to Kincaid's camp for coffee and planning of tommorrows activities. He had some great ideas. When we returned to camp I started cooking Chicken Noodle Delight. We also had cheese and crackers and then smores for dessert. The evening's entertainment was songs, bear stories and hanging the food pack. Louie and Cameron stayed up a little later talking but everyone was in their tent by 10. It was a classic northwoods day with adventures, challenges, fun, relaxation and awe for the beauty we were surrounded by. Twice before midnight we heard wolves. Some of them very close. It was a very wonderfull lullaby after a great day.
In the morning the kids headed for Kincaid's camp to learn about orienteering and visit several educational stations staffed by the seniors. Sheri and I stayed in our camp for a while taking down the tarp (there was no rain in the forecast) and going through the community packs. On our way to see Kincaid we were redirected on a rescue mission to help Tony and Cameron find their first station. However, half way there we realized they got back on track and found the station. At these stations the students were taught about survival, BWCAW history and fire making. All the students enjoyed this activity. Later my students went exploring and Sheri and I went to an archeological dig site at a camp near the entrance to Lake Three. We found evidence of their work very close to the fire grate. The archeologists had been looking for pottery shards and arrowheads. That evening we had potato soup mixed with onions and beef chunks. They ate most of a double batch. Sheri and I did the evening chores and later we sat around the fire making oreo smores, singing songs, and sharing more bear stories. It was a great last evening. Everyone was in their tents by 10.
We were on the water shortly after 9 after a good breakfast and an efficient pack up. Kincaid's group was a half hour ahead of us. We thoroughly enjoyed our paddle out. The water was smooth and the sky was blue. Tylor did most of the navigating on the way out. We cherished all the fall colors and all the sights and sounds of the wilderness.
Lunch was served with hot cocoa and coffee. It was a cool and windy day and the food tasted especially good. Freetime passed with wood gathering and conversation. The evening was rounded off with macaroni and cheese, fire roasted hot dogs and smores. Louie's Ipod entertained us with a handfull of songs. Some we sang along with. I told some bear stories and all in all it was an excellent evening. Everyone went to bed at 9.
In the morning it was raining as it did most of the night. By the time we were done eating homemade donuts under the tarp, the rain had stopped. I introduced Jim Brandenberg's "Chasing the Light". We talked about how he took a whole fall season to document photographically the change in the woods. We only have 4 days. So we took all the pictures we could. Trying to make each one worthy for our display board when we got home. After some group and individual pictures we headed for the Rock Island Lake portage. We hiked the trail with Tylor leading most of the way. It was a rugged trail with roots, rocks, water and downed trees. We took some pictures but the sky was gray and the woods weren't very colorful. Everyone enjoyed the challenge of hiking this trail and several of us fell but there were no injuries. Next we headed for the Dangerous Waters portage, with a brief stop at Kincaid's camp. His group was gone and we needed a break. The wind had picked up and when we left the protection of the islands we were hit by it's full force. Once again Ty and Tony lead the way. They are a very strong paddling team. We had lunch on an overlooking rock at the begining of the portage. Afterwards the kids took their cameras and explored all the photo oportunities along the trail. High on a cliff I took many group and individual shots. Kayla was getting very good at operating a single lens reflex camera that I loaned her. At 3pm the kids went back to camp and Sheri and I went to Kincaid's camp for coffee and planning of tommorrows activities. He had some great ideas. When we returned to camp I started cooking Chicken Noodle Delight. We also had cheese and crackers and then smores for dessert. The evening's entertainment was songs, bear stories and hanging the food pack. Louie and Cameron stayed up a little later talking but everyone was in their tent by 10. It was a classic northwoods day with adventures, challenges, fun, relaxation and awe for the beauty we were surrounded by. Twice before midnight we heard wolves. Some of them very close. It was a very wonderfull lullaby after a great day.
In the morning the kids headed for Kincaid's camp to learn about orienteering and visit several educational stations staffed by the seniors. Sheri and I stayed in our camp for a while taking down the tarp (there was no rain in the forecast) and going through the community packs. On our way to see Kincaid we were redirected on a rescue mission to help Tony and Cameron find their first station. However, half way there we realized they got back on track and found the station. At these stations the students were taught about survival, BWCAW history and fire making. All the students enjoyed this activity. Later my students went exploring and Sheri and I went to an archeological dig site at a camp near the entrance to Lake Three. We found evidence of their work very close to the fire grate. The archeologists had been looking for pottery shards and arrowheads. That evening we had potato soup mixed with onions and beef chunks. They ate most of a double batch. Sheri and I did the evening chores and later we sat around the fire making oreo smores, singing songs, and sharing more bear stories. It was a great last evening. Everyone was in their tents by 10.
We were on the water shortly after 9 after a good breakfast and an efficient pack up. Kincaid's group was a half hour ahead of us. We thoroughly enjoyed our paddle out. The water was smooth and the sky was blue. Tylor did most of the navigating on the way out. We cherished all the fall colors and all the sights and sounds of the wilderness.
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