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.

KWHS, October 2-5, 2011

We paddled past rock lined shores and through narrow bays to start our journey through Little Gabbro and into Gabbro.  Between the lakes we had to line our canoes through a small rapids and up a riffle.  We found our route without any problems and it was a beautiful journey, which took less than an hour.  Our island campsite was empty and as gorgeous as I remember it.   All the students went canoing and Rich and Jake and I had an organizational meeting to plan the next two days and drink some coffee.  Alex helped prepare a supper of grilled steak, baked potatoes and salad.  Gerrit helped clean up.  All during supper we watched a awesome clear-sky sunset.  After supper the guys wrote in my journal, Alex noted the following:  This morning when I woke up I was ready to start the trip. We had some cereal and eggs with a good cup of coffee.  Once we got to the Boundary Waters I was so excited.  This place is so beautiful.  I like standing on a big rock and looking over the whole lake. It makes me feel so free.  I hope there are some really cool things that I learn while I'm here.  I know one thing, that I will always remember this trip. So far it is the best trip that I have ever been on. Thank-you Mr. Griffin for letting us in your house and coming out here with us.  It would not be the same without you.  Also thanks Mr. Kincaid, you're the coolest guy ever.  Nick journaled the following: So far today has been great. We got up bright and early and ate our breakfast.  It went well as soon as we got to portage.  We did have to get another life jacket which was put in the hands of Jake. We knew he could do it and he did in time to carry a couple packs down to the lake.After he got back we all hopped into our canoes and went on our way to our camping spot and we got our lunch quick and in a hurry.  Then we explored the island and made it easily back around the island by the time it was to get firewood. Later on we ended up swimming for a while, which was fun but a terrible idea because it was so cold.  After a while Alex and G made supper while Gerrit and I looked for wood. We had supper and filled up on water and made s'mores.  Now we are writing in the book and talking about our canoe issues, and looking at the lake, a perfect day.    Gerrit entered the following notes in my journal:  This is our first day in the Boundary Waters as a class. I am having lot of fun. I like to think that the rest of our class is too.  I enjoy being outside and in nature.  I love being able to look at the stars.  It is one of my favorite things to do.  It is better here where there is no light to disturb the natural light of the stars.  Today we canoed for a long distance. It was a first time for a lot of people, but they got better as the day went on.  The weather is beautiful.  It is supposed to be beautiful for the rest of the trip.  I am hoping that it continues.  Moral is high.   Bill continues to write the following:  Unbelievably we slept late and got done with Sturdiwheat pancakes with walnut and chocolate chips just before Gemima and Victor paddled over.  They were joining our group for the days activities.  I shared Jim Brandenburg's  "Chasing the Light" and had a discussion about composition in photography.  We headed for the swamp in hopes of seeing a moose.  We sat quietly in the swamp for half an hour hoping that the huge creatures might appear.  We did see bugs, dragon flies, birds and lots of muck but no moose.  We traveled back to the main part of the bay and stopped for lunch and to search for images to capture in our cameras.  The sun was shining and there was a perfect breeze to keep us cool on this very warm  October day.   Helicopters and airplanes flew  over several times an hour on their way to fight the fire East of our position.   Upon returning to camp everyone took personal time to swim, journal, climb rocks and bask in the sun.  Supper was bean and rice burritos.  All was devoured while watching a classic BWCA sunset.  The evening was super, we made s'mores around the campfire while the half moon shone down on us.   The next morning we switched groups.  I introduced the photography lesson again and headed for the swamp.  We made many stops coming and going and the student's recorded many fine images at each location.  The granite rocks in this area are works of art using shape, line, texture and color.   Rich and Jake were waiting at my camp when we returned.  The kids went to gather firewood and journal.  The adults discussed the departure schedule for the next morning.  Afterwards Alex and I had a good cup of coffee too.  Early in the evening Alex and I paddled over to see Rich.  Alex had a couple important items to discuss with him.  Rich gave us cookies which we devoured as soon as we returned to our camp.  That evening around the fire Gerrit told me that the BWCA is beautiful, serene, relaxing and maximizes your emotional well being. Gerrit also liked the stars and moon.  Nick concluded that the BWCA is reality and that it is a Paradise that relieves stress.  For me these 3 days have been wonderful because of the enthusiastic students, the perfect clear skies, warm temperatures, great campfires, s'mores, steaks and friendship.