Tuesday, June 07, 2011 - My Tow and Start.
I woke at 5:00 am; actually it was the second time I woke because I am worried about not getting up on time. Took care of myself then carried all my things down to the boat ramp. Parked my car up in their lot, and Mindy, my tow person, was ready to load and crank up the motor. She towed me to American Portage, and said good-by at 6:50. We talked a bit about what I packed, and she re-assured me that I didn't have too much gear. I did the quick portage and started paddling up Birch Lake. For the moment it was nice with clouds behind me gathering. Soon it was thundering and I began to wonder how far I would get. I got out my rain gear and tried to make it to the Frog Lake portage. By 8:30 I was there, and there was lightning all around me. I was glad I was portaging during this first thundershower and not on the water. The day was by now very warm and becoming muggy. I tried to triple portage but just had too much gear so needed a 4th trip. During the next 5 and a half hours I completed the 3 portages from Birch through Frog and Trident to Ensign. Actually 12 portages for me in these 3 very thunder-booming rain showers. I stopped at the final portage as the rain stopped and had a lunch of the last half of a foot-long Subway from the previous day that I'd kept cold with my ice water. It was now 2:00 and the wind was blowing out of the west. I decided to find a camp site near the northwest end of the lake, so I was now paddling against the wind. For 2 hours I looked for open sites and as I got through the narrows, I was hoping things would change as I turned north. A couple camp sites later I was very relieved to set up for the night. It took me an hour or so to put up my tent and tarp, get my new canoe up and in a safe place out of the strong wind. I boiled some water and had the Mountain House beef stew for dinner. First time - so easy and tasted great. A bag is a huge dinner for one, but I had a good appetite that night. At about 9:00 the wind died down. I watched a turtle move in with me, a beaver swim by, and a few people out for a late paddle. Read my book during the last 30 minutes of daylight. Into my tent and slept the first half the night on top of my bag, but eventually got cool and crawled in for the rest of the night.