Thursday, August 23, 2018 It was a short but long night, we had decided we had better get up early and head out in case the wind was still blowing to make it to the portage to Little Caribou. We packed up camp and beat the wind, we saw another group of canoers ahead of us and low and behold it was the one of the other groups we put in with on Monday am. We made the portage in good time. That was 24 rod portage. We checked with them on where they were headed and they indicated they were headed closer to Moon Lake for a couple of days. They were ahead of us and we thought there goes our chance at getting a spot-on Caribou. As we paddled into Little Caribou a guy yelled down from the campsite we had marked on Little Caribou site #692 as a 5 star and really had planned to head there after we saw the falls. The guy asked if we were passing thru or looking for a camping spot? Told him we were looking for a camp site to get off Pine and wanted to get closer to Caribou. Told them we were doing the loop. There were 4 guys camped up there on that spot. They invited us up while they finished packing out. It was a real blessing. We visited with them while they finished packing out. Felt like we were rushing them but they said no they were leaving and were glad to let us have the spot, they had been there all week. They had camped on Pine Lake the first night and it turned out the same spot we had just left. They even gave us homemade beef jerky they had made. We took their picture and off they went. They had two back packs that they said weight 70 lbs. and 100 lbs. plus numerous other packs and gear, they indicated they do an annual trip and had for 20 years. I asked if they share their story on BWCA and encouraged them to do so. They had a lot of good ideas for dehydrating food etc. We made our camp. The tree where we put the food pack had huge holes that a wood pecker had made. I had never seen such big holes. Dan headed in for a nap since our night had been cut short. But the sun was shining and I wanted to sit on top of the big rock and enjoy the view and peace and quiet. We headed out for some fishing on Little Caribou and had no luck. We went back to camp for supper and then tried some more fishing. Saw a lot of canoers that day. We made a campfire it was wonderful. Hugh full moon. Headed to bed.