We woke up at 6:30 AM and we were shocked, to not only find the tent covered by mosquitoes but also SLUGS, they were on everything outside. They were on the tent, packs, dishes and boots everything!

It was a dreary morning; the clouds looked like they were hanging right on top of us. We packed in record time but not before taking this picture of a nesting eagle. The rain held off for 45 minutes then it was a steady drizzle. When we arrived at the end of the portage at Friday bay, we saw what appeared to be a mass exodus off the lake, one large group that was much unorganized and a couple that had their routine down, they had told us the fishing was average. Lora and me had a little pow wow , talked about our strategy, and decided as long as the wind was calm and it did not pour we would continue through the rain as far as we could.

At 9:30 AM as we were making our way out of Friday bay we ran into two men 8 days into a 11 day trip they were heading to Moose lake they had enough of the rain and were seeking shelter.

As we made our way to Lower Basswood falls area I had one of those moments, for just a moment, when I was looking at the map and the land around us and for a moment, I was not sure where we were. in addition, that's when Lora said we should be going that way, and in a moment of male ignorance, I lost my temper after 20 seconds, I realized she was right. I quickly apologized and followed her direction.

As we entered the Lower Basswood falls area we noticed campsite after campsite empty then we realized, we might get the campsite we wanted, then 15 minutes before the falls, came the thunder and the downpour it was coming down with such force it was splashing into the canoe we immediately sought shelter, at a nearby campsite. In 9 yrs of BWCA camping, we had our first tarp party it was not so bad it lasted 10 minutes.

Then we were on our way, 15 minutes later we were at the portage to the Basswood river. There was a group of nine coming from the river four looked experienced and five had that, why am I doing this look.

We got our campsite, set up camp and the rain disappeared , and it was a beautiful evening. Two troop leaders stopped by and told us there was a bear problem below the falls they said when they arrived at the campsite, someone left in a hurry they left their tents, sleeping bags and most of their gear they cleaned up the mess and stayed there.

It was a long haul from Chippewa Lake to the Basswood river in a all day rain, I have to hand it to Lora she was a trooper she did not complain once. After a long day like this, we fell into a coma before the sun was down.