Thursday, August 1 We are all up a 6:00 am for the long paddle west. With no breakfast and just a cup of coffee we pack up and are on the water by 7:30. No small feat for us considering how much loose gear we have been carrying; most of the portages have been triple! We paddle the entire 10 mile length of Cirrus in a light head wind, much without stopping, and reach the portage to the pond at the west end by noon. It's not that we like hours of non stop paddling, but the concern of getting wind bound motivates us to what for us is a marathon paddle! As you can see, we are still "shell shocked" from our entry experience. So after a brief discussion, we decide to do the two portages out to Beaverhouse Lake so we can be right next to the take on Friday morning.

We find a delightful site on Beaverhouse, right next to the bay at the entry point, and set up camp. We all finally feel warm enough, the sun is out, and we all take the first swim of the trip. As seems to be our daily portion, thunderheads are building up in the area and we are experiencing occasionally light rain as they pass by. Nevertheless, we have a beautiful site, with views of the so far distant thunderstorms. After dinner I read out loud again, and we find that our two travelers have made it safely to Hudson Bay, if not somewhat exhausted and undernourished after four months of paddling! As the evening approaches, the next passing thunderstorm seems to be headed for us; and sure enough, the rain starts and we all retreat to our tents for the night.