Loranda, 8,24-27,2011

Loranda and I started on the Island River where it goes under the Tomahawk Road.  We started into the 20 mph winds and made our way for 1/2 mile when a huge gust of wind blew us sideways.  We ended up in the weeds and swamp along the sides of the river in a very wide valley.  We had only one choice.  We got out of the boat and started pulling it through the swamp.  We were knee deep in water with half our legs down in the muck.  For a couple hours we'd paddle a few feet and then pull the boat many feet.  We finally made it to a campsite and decided this would be home.  After our steak supper the wind stopped blowing and we had hopes for a better tomorrow.  We started the next day early with desire to make up the miles we didn't cover in the wind.  Our journey crossed 15 miles and 6 portages totalling 404 rods.  At 5:30 we arrived at Bald Eagle lake exhausted.   We recovered after a swim and some good coffee.  We also enjoyed cribbage and our tournament was tied 2-2 at the end of the evening.  In the dark we heard a beaver slapping it's tail at some night fishermen while we enjoyed a magnificent view of the stars.  The next days journey brought us through Gabbro and Little Gabbro.  We paddled to a 120 rod portage and crossed into the Kawishiwi River system.  After another shorter portage we found a really neat campsite.  There we took a break and then went fishing on a point across the bay from camp.   Loranda landed a nice walleye within seconds of arriving.  We went on to catch many more. It was a good afternoon.  Supper was cabbage salad, rice and fish.  It was superb.  Our cribbage tournament continued and we both won one.  Loranda was happy with a tie but I asked her if she would play one more and the tie would stand and the last game would be supplemental.  She said o.k.   We played and I won.  However, Loranda changed her mind and said that it should count and that I am the Kawishiwi River International Invitational Cribbage Tournament Champion.  Our last day took us through 4 portages before lunch.  We sat on a sunny rock knowing we were having some of our last conversations.  It was a good lunch.  Soon after we left we caught a bear crossing the river right in front of us. Loranda got a picture of it as it turned to look at us from the top of a large rock.  The  other wildlife we've seen this week include, beaver, deer, eagles, loons, mergansers, squirrels and of course walleyes.  We really enjoyed the rock canyons we paddled through the last hours of our journey. The rocks and boulders  were arranged as if by gifted abstract expressionists.  It was a classic BWCA day with blue sky.  It was a serene ending to a great week in the woods.