Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Maybe we rested up all day yesterday in anticipation of our long paddle planned for today. We wanted to make it to Red Rock Lake if the wind would cooperate with us. We pack up camp quickly and make our way to the first portage, 80 rods, that will lead us to Ottertrack Lake.

The wind is blowing from the west which will surely bode well for us during our trek today. The second portage, monument portage, affords us the opportunity for some photo ops and we snap a few of each other straddling the border with Canada.

It was a beautiful paddle from Swamp Lake and onto Saganaga Lake, weaving our way around islands and watching the loons fish. The peacefulness came to an abrupt end however when we reached the point just south of Cache Bay and saw the waves on Saganaga.

We were in for a straight forward, no break, head down and just paddle until we reach American Point. The waves were large and basically coming from the northwest meaning they were broadsiding us every time. We reached American Point, rounded it and headed south with the wind squarely at our backs. What a relief. Deciding we earned a lunch break, we stop on a rocky shoreline and have chicken salad bagels with jerk seasoning, delicious and well deserved.

It's always strange to be back on motorized waters and we see plenty of boats out today. After lunch we make our way southwest to Red Rock Bay, and eventually take the up-and-over portage to our destination of Red Rock Lake. We are pretty spent from a hard morning of paddling and although we have made good time, are all ready to set up camp for the night. We pass on the first couple of campsites on the northern end of the lake and eventually choose the one right where the lake narrows. It's nothing to write home about but it will do for the evening. The usual setting up of camp is now old hat, even for the new wilderness canoeists, and chili is served for dinner once again.

The wind subsides in the evening hours so we take our usual fishing excursion where we tangled with some decent sized bass and one large Pike. The loons are very noisy this evening and the sunset is wonderful. It's amazing how it went from so turbulent to complete serenity in a matter of a few hours. We figured we paddled about 12 miles, and with that tiring thought in mind, we all hit the tents early.