Saturday, June 07, 2014 It was lightly misting on the tent when I awoke before dawn again. I wanted something warm to eat for breakfast before the long hike out. I made two kinds of bannock using Parkay squeeze in the cast iron pan. The first one was wonderful tasting with cinnamon and sugar. The second one burned while we were enjoying the first. Whoops. The misting had mostly stopped and we commenced breaking camping. I mostly packed and tried to keep the boys busy.

All packed, we all practiced LNT and did one more round before pushing off. The paddle back south to the Isabella river was quick and smooth. We kept our rainwear on as storm clouds looked threatening.  There were multiple canoes fishing the channel as we passed and turned back upstream of the Snake River. It was such a great feeling back paddling after being stuck in camp for two days. The portages back were slick and muddy landings. I found a huge Rattlin' Rap at the first portage.  Almost the biggest fish we caught!

The boys were of little help, constantly having to be told what to do. I thought after the same routine 5 times we'd have got it. Nope, both paddles got broken from being thrown at rocks on shore. We figured we might see a group coming in as I had checked permits reserved. Sure enough on the tightest corner we met two kevlar’s. One had a 6 inch pvc rod tube at least 8 ft long sticking straight up behind the bow paddler. That must've been as fun through the brush as our stabalizers. 

We did the same leapfrogging on the portage. About 90 rds each time totaling the 270. We stopped in the old logging camp for a break. Its on the North side of the Snake River (rushing creek) bridge. I wonder if anyone's tried to put in there! The boys were spent, and we were all dispersed along the portage. I tried the last section with the #4 pack and the Grummman. Must've been almost 140 lbs. I made it about 200 yards, and realized I might actually get hurt. Setting the canoe down, the pack overbalanced, and there I was turtled in the middle of the trail. I took a two minute breather, and laughed it off.  T was at the truck thinking he was done carrying. Ha Ha  another 90 rds back for the last load!

I drove much slower on the way out and we stopped for some clarity on the pothole incident. Took some pictures and away towards Ely we went. The drive home was a blur and took a couple hrs longer than expected. We had everything at Wendy’s and offended all who came near us, with our BO and campfire smell. Back home, T told the wife of the horrors and wonders of the wilderness. I can't wait to get back. She caught the bug again and we were back at Sawbill two weeks later.