NW and I go to Knife Lake, 6-19-2013

NW and I paddled and portaged 10 miles to Knife lake and found ourselves camping on the east end of Robbins Island. We relaxed in camp after our big day.  We drank coffee, snacked and napped.  We had mac and cheese for supper.  That evening we played cribbage and I won by a hair.  The Spring Peepers and Loons serenaded us most of the evening. It rained and sprinkled later in the evening and Chloe came into the tent late all wet and muddy.   The next morning we had pancakes and headed for Thunder Point.  It rained and sprinkled off and on all day.  Our hiking was cut short on Thunder Point because we were afraid we would be caught in a down pour.  Didn't happen.  That evening I sat by the lake watching it get dark.  It was a beautiful cool evening.  At 8:45 a group of nine girls paddled by looking for a campsite.    They must of had a very big day.  Chloe snuggled under my bag trying to get warm and sleep after a big day.  I was tired too.  I could hear our noisy neighbors.  On our third morning NW cooked bacon, eggs and bagels.  I washed dishes and we were ready for the day by 8:30.  It was cool and sprinkled like it has for the last 12 hours.   We relaxed for the remainder of the morning and then fished and toured The Isle of Pines where Dorothy Molter used to live.  All her cabins have been removed but there are some of her flowers still growing.  I was glad we didn't have the extreme heat I had the previous week.  It was a pleasant paddle out to civilization.  It was a good trip.

Rk and Me to Knife lake, june 10, 2013

We covered 16 miles and 6 portages on our first day.  We were greeted by a yearling cub as soon as we set our packs down in what was supposed to be our campsite for the first night.  It was late and the bear wouldn't scare away so we cooked supper, packed up and headed for another camp 2 miles away.  This was a big day but RK is a strong paddler and we didn't feel too bad.  Our new camp was next to an Indian quarry that we never had a chance to inspect.  We made camp and talked about going to Canada some year.  Maybe next year.  We paddled to one of my  favorite fishing spots and soon had a couple big bass.  We enjoyed them in fish tacos that night.  It was a beautiful sunset with a crescent moon high in the sky.  We also had loons in the  bay in front of camp.  Breakfast the next morning was cinnamon tortilla pastries.  Best breakfast in the north woods.  We fished close to camp that day and were rewarded with and nice bass and a twenty two inch Walleye that RK hauled in.  We had them for supper and enjoyed another great sunset.  A cool dusk was welcome after such a hot day.  We had another hot day of  fishing and were again relieved when the cool of evening arrived.  On our last day we paddled to Dorothy's Island, hiked around and headed to Birch Lake ending the trip.

Bill and Ruth alone on Lake Insula, 6,4-9,2013

Our journey to Insula was arduous but we succeeded in paddling and portaging the sixteen miles to our favorite island at the north end of Lake Insula.   We took two days to get there and had to triple portage due to the massive burden.   All important stuff to have and we were glad we had it.   The first day was 8 miles and two portages.  Easily doable.   Our second day was four portages, the last one covering 100 rods, a hill and putting us on the southwest corner of Insula.  We were happy to paddle the 4 miles of lake to our favorite Island campsite on the northwest end of the lake.  We spent 3 nights and two days fishing, sleeping, eating and observing the best wilderness in America.  Ruth caught the only two fish of the stay on Insula.  A northern that was thrown back and a Walleye that was cooked and eaten.   Delicious!  The weather was cool and comfortable and we were mostly alone at this end of the lake. On our fifth day we loaded up the canoe and started back to civilization.   The first portage was the long one and we did it in good fashion because we were fresh.  The next three were considered easy.  We got to a nice campsite on Lake Four mid-afternoon.   After making camp we went to a nearby fishing hole.   It was now my turn to  feed the expedition.  I caught two nice walleyes and we took them back to camp for supper.  It was a nice finale to a great week in the woods.  The last day was a gorgeous paddle out of the wilderness.  We had gentle breezes and blue skies.  We cherished our last hours in the BWCAW. 

Insula Lake, June 4-9, 2013

Our journey to Lake Insula was difficult but well within our capabilities.  We triple portaged because we had so much stuff.  It was all used and we were glad to have it.  Our second day of travel included 3 easy portages and one long difficult one that had a hill.  After that portage the four miles of paddling on Insula was welcome relief.  It took us an hour and a half to reach our favorite island in the north end of Insula.  We were pleased to be alone on an island in the middle of  the BWCAW.  For three nights and two days we slept, cooked, paddled, fished and looked at the beautiful scenery in every direction.  The weather was cool and comfortable.  Our fishing expeditions were minimally fruitful.  Ruth caught a northern and a Walleye.   We threw the northern back and had a delicious supper of fried Walleye.  Ruth was very proud of herself and enjoyed eating the Walleye.  We didn't play cribbage or read books.  We just hung out in the wilderness.  It was 2 days of paddling to return to Lake One.  Our first day started with the long portage but because we were fresh it wasn't bad.  We therefore considered the other three portages easy.  Our last nights camp was on Lake Four and we got there early afternoon.   We fished before supper at a nearby hotspot and I caught 2 more Walleyes.  We cooked them for supper. It was the grand finale to the end of the trip.  Our last day was a gorgeous paddling experience with fair skies,  easy paddling and portaging.

easy paddling and portaging.  We cherished our last day in the woods. 

Six from Ely go to Lake One, 5-22-13

As a day trip this one was nearly perfect.  A little wind, but not too much, sun, blue sky and very happy people to paddle with.  It took us an hour to paddle to the outflow of a river channel from Lake Two.  We set up to the side of the current and lowered the anchor.  We fished for Walleyes and Bass using worms and minnows.  My paddleing partner and I didn't have a bite or snag. However, our most accomplished fisherman reeled in a nice Walleye while standing on a large rock above and strong eddie.   We lounged, fished, paddled and talked for almost two hours.   Just before we were going to leave we spotted a blond moose across the bay.  We watched him for several minutes as he or she browsed at the waters edge.  It was an omen of a good summer to come.  The return paddle to the landing 2 miles away was fun.  I would have liked it to  be the begining of a 6 day trip. But that's going to happen very soon.  It was a good trip with good company.

Four guys head for East Bearskin, via dogsled. 2-16-2013

We gathered at the tee pee where the musher had his dogs and sled waiting.  The musher realizing that we were heavy weight campers with big sleds decided to add a Polaris 440 to the train of sleds because of our tonnage.   Soon we were heading down the lake with the dogs and snowmobile working in unison.   Our journey to the BWCA boundary took less than an hour and we were  soon trudging the last half mile under our own power.  The campsite was hidden behind a row of pines but Bill P. found it straight away.   Camp was made and some started fishing.   It was a cool day with highs around minus 10.  That night we shared a spaghetti dinner that I prepared with the help of Norm.  We all slept well that night except for Bill P.  His doubled up summer bags were not warm enough because it was 30 below.   He spent the night walking on the lake to stay warm.  In the morning he packed up and headed out.  Leaving the three of us to visit, fish and enjoy the 20 degree day that presented itself.   That night was 46 degrees warmer than the first night. We all slept soundly and comfortably.   After a leisurely breakfast we packed up and headed for the rendezvous point.  The ride back was pleasant because it was snowing and 24 degrees.  All in all it was a great trip.  The best part was the conversations and fellowship with a bunch of really great people. 

Breaking free, a visit to the pictographs, 10,3,2012

It was a perfect day to be in the Boundary Waters.  It was approaching 70 with blue skies and gentle breezes.  We portaged from the parking lot to the lake and were soon headed for the next portage, which was just a short carry.  The water was very blue with just a slight texture from the wind.  We all loved the rocks, trees and ethereal arrangement made by the glaciers 10,000 years ago.  The beauty of this Boundary Waters environment bathed our spirits in peace and awe.  The pictographs  gave remembrance of a spirit world that many believed they entered when in the North woods.  We wondered at the hunter, wolf and moose portrayed by ancient artists hoping for favor by the spirits while on their next hunt.  Next we paddled to the "Bog".   Several walked on the floating masses of earth and plants, amazed that nature could make such a thing.  We followed that by paddling deeper into the bog till we got to solid ground and went ashore.  We searched the area looking for the remains of pink showy lady slippers.  We found none but the walking to the edge of the cliff and seeing the view was inspiring.   We paddled for 15 more minutes and found a nice spot for lunch.  Bratts, chips and an assortment of sweets made for excellent dining.  Realizing that we needed to head back to fulfill responsibilities we quickly packed up and headed home.