Today we decide to try and get out of camp. The air is warm and the waters calm as we troll across Tuscarora, hoping to retrace a portion of our route back to Crooked Lake. The storm from a couple nights back has done some damage to the area, as there are some new trees down across the portages. Fortunately all of them are easy step overs and require no extra exertion. Once on Crooked, we circumnavigate the large islands in a clockwise direction stopping to check out a few campsites along the way. The southern most site is nothing to write home about but, it does afford a nice view of Crooked Lake from a rise just behind camp.

Vickie suggests we head for the Gillis portage and explore the rapids there a bit more thoroughly. With all the recent rains the creeks are full, and it's easy to hear where the rapids are. I hike back to the top of the pond near the cabin and find a little rapids washing into the pond. It's set in a beautiful grove of cedar trees that is relatively easy to access. As an added bonus I find some birch bark, which will come in handy later for starting fires.

As we begin working our way back to camp, the clouds behind (west) us are beginning to gather. By the time we finish the portage back into Tuscarora there really looking ugly. Since the last time we were there Vickie had found some cool rocks, originally we had planned to do some extensive exploration of the NW bay of Tuscarora. Now we energetically put the wood in the water hoping to get back to camp before things get nasty. Unfortunately, we don't quite make it this time and heavy rains pelt us for the last few minutes before we finally reach the sanctuary of our beach campsite. It's a real chore getting the canoe stashed with the high winds ripping through camp. I'm soaked as I join the rest of the crew under the CCC tarp and watch the maelstrom out on the lake.

hings eventually calm down and we're able to enjoy what's left of the day. We've certainly sustained some wild weather while at this site. Never the less, Aurora indicates on several occasions that she does not want to leave. Obviously, from a kids perspective this site is a dream. But, even us old folks think it's alright too. Of course the long beach & table rocks are the prominent features but, there are a couple of nice tent pads and an excellent fire grate area. And, there's even extra log seating by the lakeshore which aides in contemplating the beautiful island scenery just past the bay. On our last visit here, both Vickie & I recall the latrine being very close to camp and offering virtually no privacy. Either it got moved back, or the trees and shrubs have grown up enough that there is now adequate privacy. On the down side; we initially did have some minor struggles with dragging sand into the tent, and I don't think really large groups (7 or more) would fit here completely comfortably unless they camped right on the beach. But, all in all it's a very nice site.

The bulk of our entertainment this evening was provided by a mud turtle who kept popping his head out of the water, undoubtedly checking to see if the coast was clear so it could come ashore and lay it's eggs. It made it to land a few times but, would always scurry back to the water if we moved around too much. Aurora's patience was tested, as she wanted to get a picture of it but she couldn't sit still long enough to let it get comfortable and come to shore. Eventually the lesson was learned and she got the shot just before the sun set.