Up early--530 a.m. (We began our trek with high hopes since we knew what we were facing) and everything went well at the start. We developed a very organized system for portaging and we marveled at the time we were making. The dams were not too bad, and we did not have to unload to get over them--we merely teamed up on each canoe. Colin and Elyssa formed a paddling team and chose to attack the dams recklessly. It was funny to watch, but I was a bit worried and did not want them to tip. We push along doing great. Then we hit the 480 on the way out. O.M.G. We'd heard that most don't go out this way and now we know why. The portage being mostly uphill, we struggled our packs out part of they way (leap frogging) and went back for the boats. By now, we were so tired and dehydrated that every step was a struggle. Our positive attitudes were on the wane so badly that even when I reminded Colin about the Ely DQ at the end of our trip (another tradition) he replied, "Even Dairy Queen doesn't matter." We were whipped. When we had all the gear out with only one canoe left about halfway down the trail, Mike drove his canoe back to the outfitter and bought us all an ice cold bottle of water (made up for losing all the bait). We threw back the water and each of us six grabbed some aluminum and we triumphantly finished the deal. This portage is, in a word, brutal. A beast. We were tired, sore, muddy and grumpy. Elyssa had lost a Teva in a mud puddle so deep that she dive up to her elbow to regain it. We loaded for Ely and all three kids in my car fell asleep immediately. So....tired. At DQ we scarfed down a ton of food, showered at Dan's house, bought a gift certificate at Sir G's and hit the road. Home to Becker by 11 pm but then my left rear tire fell off the Buick while I took Elyssa home. I was bummed but relieved it did not happen on the interstate (or on the Echo Trail)! 

In the end, Stu was as advertised. Brutal, beautiful and far from the crowds. The fishing was nice if you don't mind just catching eater sized walleyes who fight hard. Some were deeply golden and lovely. We only kept enough for one meal. I would definitely go back, but only with lighter loads (Kevlar) and smaller packs. We all felt a real sense of accomplishment despite the suffering (funny how the hard parts melt from you mind and the highlights remain). We did not see a ton of wildlife (the turtle porn was pretty funny) but the lack of people made us feel like kings and queens of our own personal realm. It was hard for Alex and Elyssa (first trip for both) and I kept reminding them that this trip was pretty over the top and hoped they would not be soured on a next trip. Neither seem to mind the grueling trip. Alex is my godchild and it was fun to bond with him. Elyssa will be Hannah's room mate at Luther this fall (freshman year) so it was a cool bonus to get to know her. The ladies really led with positive attitudes and hard work. It was fun to have another adult along in Mike. He is great. 

If anyone wants to tackle this entry, I'd be glad to talk it out before you go (and bitch it out when you get back). All in all, we had a blast thought it was pretty much the most physically demanding thing any of us had done. Insane fun.  Just the way the bwca should be in my book!