Wednesday, August 05, 2009 Morning arrives, and the birds are singing their hearts out. I'm up and making coffee, rummaging in the blue barrel for breakfast. This morning it's hash browns, scrambled eggs, and bagels toasted on the grill- very satisfying. Can I just say...I love dried hashbrowns! We clean up, pack our gear, and head for Swan. Looks like 4 short portages, an easy day. We are soon to discover that distances can be deceiving....there has been plenty of rain up north this summer. The portages are either boulder gardens, ankle deep sucking mud, or boulders surrounded by ankle deep sucking mud. YAY! Most frequently heard comment..."At least it's short" We run into a group coming out- a family with youngish kids- maybe 6-10 years old. Sounds like they had an awesome time, it's good to see another generation loving the woods. They tell us that all the sites on Swan are empty...good news.

After portage #2 we stop and pick blueberries- it has burned fairly recently in this area, and the crop is just ripening. We get enough that pie will be our dessert tonight. We head on our way and are passed by a group of young guys heading in to Swan, and resolve to pick up our speed a little. No one really wants to have to do that 281 rod portage into Vernon today! As a side note, they are heard saying "Good thing it's a rental" as they drop their aluminum canoe onto the rocks at the end of the portage. Grrrrr.....the canoe was rented from Rockwood. No excuse for that, IMHO.

We head across Swan...both sites on the point are taken, but the site in the bay is empty, and it's a beauty. Nice sized, plenty of tent pads, and a nice raspberry crop. We set up camp, and since we'll be here 2 nights, I decide to set up my new Granite Gear tarp....what a nice piece of gear! We have just finished cutting up firewood when a storm rolls in, and we all tuck ourselves under the tarp to wait it out.

As we are sitting there, a group comes from Vernon but turns when they see us...I feel bad for them, knowing hat there's nothing open until Marshall. The rain doesn't last long, and we're treated to an awesome double rainbow.

The wind dies down, there's the most wonderful golden light....a photographer's wet dream...

Dinner tonight is curried chicken and rice, and blueberry pie. Absolutely amazing, if I do say so myself. Got to scrounge up some dehydrated coconut milk for next time! We sit up late around the fire, the moon rises, and robin says..."what's that noise?" It's the first notes of wolves howling! Sounds like they are JUST over the hill, they are really loud. I have to admit, when I walked back to the latrine, I had a crazy desire to bang some pots and pans, or at least whistle loudly. Kept telling myself that I was being silly, but there you go- even I can be psyched out by really close wolves. The fire burned down, we went to bed, another perfect day draws to a close.