We hit the water at 4:15 heading North on Sawbill Lake. The 9 of us arrived at a campsite in a bay on the west side of the lake at 6pm. Camp was made and an easy one pot meal was prepared due to the lateness of the hour. The evening went by quickly. In the morning the kids slept in and after a breakfast of eggs and bacon we hit the water at 11am. Our days journey took us to Cherokee Lake where we found a sand beach campsite at about 6pm. We all went for a swim before making camp and starting supper. We grilled hamburgers and a few side dishes. I told a bear story while preparing the meal. Sunday morning found us travelling North and then East to Town Lake. We visited with other canoeists for a few minutes before tackling a long portage into the primitive area of Cam Lake. The portages were extremely difficult due to the boulders we had to constantly step over and around. We entered beautiful Brule Lake and went directly to a large camp on the Southern shore of the West end. We all went swimming as soon as camp was made. It was a beautiful evening and the lake was iridescent long after sunset. Hannah and Camilla got up at 3 the next morning to go fishing and watch the sunrise. I stayed up for a while just to monitor the situation. After about 45 minutes I went back to bed and slept till 6am. I sat in my chair waiting for their return and they did at about 6:40am. They were soon back in their tent sleeping. The reason they got up so early was their watch was off by an hour. I packed up my kit and went to start coffee. Everyone slept in again and it wasn't until after breakfast and a swim that we hit the water at 11am. Our journey to Burnt Lake crossed several portages covering 615 rods total. Once again we arrived in camp at 6pm. Camp was pitched and I went for a swim. After I had changed clothes I walked into the main camp area to discover that Lene had started supper and had everything under control. The spaghetti was delicious and after a quick clean up we all went to the west side of camp to watch the sunset and take photos. As darkness settled in the forest we gathered around the campfire and I read entries from my journal. The next morning, in the rain, we portaged 190 rods back to Sawbill Lake and paddled the East shore to the Landing. It was great to camp and canoe with this group, they were real troopers. We covered 25 miles of paddling and 1567 rods of portaging.
The following is journal passages made by the participants.
Hannah
The simplistic living of paddling, portaging and finding a new home every night stirs up some deep emotions and thoughts of home, family, and life. Being surrounded by lovely, fun people and sharing their spirits makes the air and water even more beautiful. Slowing down the pace with no alarm clock buzzing, phone or email to check makes me realize how complicated we make life. A 3am paddle with Camilla, fail at fishing and then just sit in silence and watch the sunrise and having the sounds of the lake life waking up for a brand new day is something I have never seen or heard before. These simple pleasures happen everyday throughout our lives. Yet, we are too busy to enjoy them. The stunning landscape has "no trace" of man across the landscape. Lets hope it lasts for more to see.
Daniel
This whole experience has just been wonderful. I am glad I had the opportunity to spend these few days with everyone in this group and to discover this beautiful natural area. I believe that I have learned a lot about living in the outdoors, canoeing and just relaxing outside the Twin Cities. I hope that the Boundary Waters Area would remain like this forever and also hope to be able to come here again.
Francisca
Here we are far away from everyone, maybe in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Here, Bill taught me how to paddle and gave me a beautiful flower. (water lily) I will never forget this trip and the people traveling with me. Thank you for everything including the great meals.
Florianne
I find myself writing this while having the most amazing view of Brule Lake in the morning sun. This is the most amazing and beautiful trip I have ever made. Just with the nine dumplings of us paddling and portaging from place to place. I will never forget this amazing trip with Bald Eagles, Loon calls, and you in your chair, pipe in your mouth telling us the bear stories. Thank you very much for guiding on this wonderful trip. I enjoyed it till the very last minute.
Lene
Dear Bill, I have now gone from being your kitchen assistant on the first night to stunning you just now by taking charge of Monday's dinner. It's been a great couple of days and your charismatic presence has been a huge part of that. A campfire will never be the same without a bear tale and a whiff of tobacco. Thank you for being our canoe-companion and keeping us safe and well fed. And good job today with the 600 rods, it sure feels good to relax in this campsite now. Have a great summer.
Emilie
Most of the things I would tell you have already been told, but imagine that I would tell you with my French accent, that makes all the difference. What would have been this trip without you, with out your coffee and especially your cowboy coffee. I'm really happy to have shared all those unique and wonderful moments with you. I will remember this trip for a long time. Thank you so much.
Camilla
Dear Coffee-aholic, (yes- you should seriously consider getting some professional help against that addiction) Your excuse for getting us to write here in your book, was that you hadn't had time to write in your journal. So to help you I'm going to summarise the last days with us. Here's a typical day: 1) Being awaken at 2:30 am because two crazy girls wanted to watch the sunrise. 2) Make coffee, relaxed mode again. 3)Cooking breakfast for your hungry children. 4) Getting your gear down in the green kayak and paddle and paddle and paddle and portage and paddle and portage and mosquitoes and lunch and pipe and paddle and long portage. 5)Find a home for the night. 6) Coffee. 7) Make dinner for your hungry kids. 8) Bear Stories.
Lene thought that the following excerpts from a song would be good now.
All that I have is a river, the river is always my home, Lord take me away for I just cannot stay
Please help me build a small boat, one that will ride on the flow where the river runs deep and the larger fish creep, I'm glad of what keeps me afloat.
Now the land that I knew is a dream and the light on the distance grows thin, So wide is my river the artist has run out of ink, Where the blue of the sea meets the sky and the big yellow sun leads me home.
And each night brings the stars and a song in my heart, it's a tune for the journey mans tale.
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