Thursday, June 27, 2019

“The Easy Day”

We were up again early this morning knowing that not only did we have about 6 miles to the take out point but also a 12-hour drive back to Illinois to accomplish. It was going to be a long day. The morning was still and warm with clear skies and was the perfect sendoff from the BWCA. We packed up, had a quick breakfast and pushed off heading east into the rising sun. Saganaga lake was like glass with the occasional motorboat sending ripples across the surface. Most of the motorboats were considerate and slowed to minimize their wake but a couple caused us to curse and change course to take the wake head on. Boat assignments were Nate and Eric with Eric in the back and Tony and Zach with Tony in the back. Nate and Eric headed out first and got three hundred yards or so into the lake when Nate yelled to slow up but not soon enough as the canoe was grounded on a boulder in the middle of what looked to be a deep channel. Upon further observation there was a boulder field extending north from one of the islands and we happened to find it. Needless to say, Zach and Tony gave it a wide berth to avoid any and all hard surfaces. As we paddled closer to the take out point we started to zig zag between the islands. It was almost like we wanted to prolong leaving the BWCA as long as possible. Once we left Saganaga we had to follow a channel or river down a way to exit point #55. Along the way we saw other outfitters and some impressive establishments. But none were as impressive as the bald eagle perched atop a tall dead tree watching us leave. We paddled as close as we could snapping pictures and saying goodbye as we entered back into civilization. We found the takeout point easily enough and made the call to come get picked up. We unpacked the canoes and made sure everything was accounted for and ready to be loaded up once our ride showed up. After the quick ride back to Tuscarora, we were greeted by warm showers and it was good to be clean. Then it was back on the road for the long ride back. We ended up staying a night in Eau Claire, WI and finishing the drive the next day.

Distance traveled: 6 miles (no portages) ~Saganaga Lake

we woke to a calm morning time to go our last morning on the water, the weather could not have been better The BWCA sent us out in style BWCA guardian exit point 55, Saganaga Lake. Sadly our trip has come to an end. on the way back to Tuscarora for some warm showers the road home... go figure, its raining...