The 2010 Ho Ho and David Quetico Adventure, September 2010 -

This year's trip allowed us to revisit some familiar territory. Until the middle of Day 8, our route covered lakes we had been on before, with the lone exception of little Isabella. But we saw many of them from new angles, like Sarah, McIntyre, and Brent, which we paddled more or less from end to end, instead of cutting through short sections as we had in the past. Of course, sometimes we also followed the exact path of previous trips, including some favorite spots.

Day 1 (Burke-North Bay Creek) -

But what defined this year's trip was not the route, but the weather. We had more rain, more wind, and more cold than any Quetico trip we have taken. We used the tarp, the rainfly, our rainsuits, and all our layers more than ever before.

Day 2 (Isabella Lake) -

At times the weather was challenging. That was okay. Nature's challenges are part of the reason we come. We wouldn't necessarily want every trip to have weather like this one. But we don't want them all to be constantly warm and sunny like last year on the Man Chain, either. "Bad" weather tests your skills and your character. It also reveals a different beauty in the natural world.

Day 3 (Sarah Lake) -

We wore our PFDs much more than on any previous trip - sometimes because of the wind, sometimes for warmth, often for both reasons. I got pretty used to having mine on and portaging the canoe with it. I'll probably wear it more often now on future trips, even in less threatening conditions.

Day 4 (McIntyre Lake) -

Something that wasn't different this trip was that David is the best canoeing partner ever. He also took most of the 1100 photographs we came back with, providing lots of material for me to select and edit for the trip report.

Day 5 (Brent Lake) -

Of course, we also had a few days with beautiful weather. What's not to like?

Day 6 (Wicksteed Lake) -

The seventh day of our trip from Argo to Elk was one of the coldest wet days I've spent in canoe country in the summer. It still had its wonderful rewards.

Day 7 (Cone Lake) -

The other headline of this trip was meeting up with Chris. We really enjoyed it. I think he did too. We're already emailing about another rendezvous next September.

Day 8 (Robinson Lake) -

Beginning on the eighth day of the trip, we struck out across new territory going through Robinson Lake and the Kett route. I'd like to spend some more time in this area. We will definitely find ways to cross the Kett portages again.

Day 9 (Second Kett Portage) -

The exit through Wind Lake was another good idea, originally suggested by Chris. If you want or need to loop back to Moose Lake at the end of your Quetico trip, Wind Lake is an excellent alternative to paddling or getting a tow down the Moose chain, with no motors on Wind itself, and easy access to the middle of Basswood.

Day 10 (Wind Lake Creek) -

And now for a personal message -

This is probably the last annual Quetico trip report I will be posting. 

You see, I semi-retired at the beginning of this year. Now David and I are in the process of moving up to the Ely cabin full-time.  So there won't be an "annual" Quetico trip anymore. There will be more than one. Plus more Boundary Waters trips too. As a result, I might be foisting more trip reports on you. 

Who knows where this new journey will take us. As on a trip through Quetico, we have a tentative plan in mind. But it will no doubt change as we go along. It should be interesting, and a lot of fun. There will be some stormy days. There will be rendezvous with friends. There will be unexpected twists and turns. We'll see where we end up in the months and years ahead. 

Until then, I hope you enjoyed this report at least a fraction as much as we enjoyed the trip.