We woke up to a light, but very manageable wind. Knowing we couldn't afford any more delays, we tore down camp in record speed and paddled the remainder of Carp and Birch without a break. It was a pretty paddle with the best weather we had experienced to that point. On another day, it would have been blissful, but most of us were ready for warm showers. We arrived at the Birch to Sucker portage by mid-morning.

We were towed back and got cleaned up. We decompressed with the outfitter. We decompressed a little more over some greasy food in Ely. More greasy food and alcohol in Eau Claire, Wisconsin helped even more.

Ultimately, the weather resulted in some far from idyllic days. However, I'm glad I went. I learned a lot about the wilderness and formed stronger bonds with my fellow travelers, including my dad. Also, the wilderness was pretty darn beautiful. The opportunity to navigate it and overcome it's challenges was a rewarding experience. I would not be opposed to returning and am confident the lessons learned on this trip would make me a better BWCA tripper.

Lesson learned: BWCA provides opportunities for type 1, type 2, and (unfortunately) type 3 fun. Numerous factors determine what you experience. Many of those factors are internal, but some are also beyond your control.