Thursday, June 27, 2013 Woke up at 3am to sprinkles, maybe 10 minutes. Fell back asleep and alarm went off at 4:30. Up and at 'em took a quick leak, wrapped up poncho liner, hammock and tarp, last picture, and on the water at 5:30. Sent last spot message and headed for the first two portages. Not one person on Fire Lake. Made the portage in 30 minutes. Bugs still bad. Second portage I blew out the sole of my Keens. Little or no wind on the north arm of Lake 4. First canoe on Lake 4. Took pictures of large rocks entering Lake 3. Bigger than my first apartment. Found a paddle on the south shore of Lake 2. Nothing special. Lots of full campsites. Got to the last 2 portages and met a guy that was leading an Outward Bound group that had been out 20 days. Talked with him for 20 minutes and thanked me for my military service. Never got his name but he looked like he'd been out for 20 years. Very nice guy. Made it to the landing by 11am. 5 1/2 hour paddle, better than going in. Made it to the ranger station by noon. Dropped off garbage and went to DQ for chili dogs. Mom and dad's by 3:30pm.