It's a pretty cool morning for an August trip and, the morning campfire is certainly of greater importance and popularity. Vernon Lake is our day trip destination today and there's no better way to shake off the morning chills than by getting the wood in the water, so we load up a day pack and pile into 2 canoes.

Misty Swan lake is really a scenic beauty as we round the horn and head for the South Brule River. Aurora notices a bleached moose skull at the portage landing and wants to take it with but, thankfully I am able to convince her otherwise. While long, this trail is almost a welcome change of pace from the frequent mud and boulder strewn portages of yesterday. There is a little elevation change but, nothing too serious. Even under my canoe helmet I appreciate the different ecology and footing on most of this trail. Although just when I start getting used to firm footing, the landing on Vernon ends up being tight and quite mushy/muddy.

We paddle through a fair amount of rice beds before finally reaching unobstructed waters. Tracing the north shoreline of Vernon lake we eventually arrive at the campsite nearest the portage into Brule Bay. Thankfully it is unoccupied so we pull right in. This is a really nice site for a lot of reasons. While the landing isn't the best I've ever seen, it does sport a small staircase up to the camp site proper. It is a spacious level area with several decent spots for tents and, the fire grate does provide a marginal view of the lake. Those attributes alone make this an above average site. But, there are a couple of things that set it apart from most others. First, there is a small creek that tumbles into Vernon lake at the edge of camp. And part of those rapids contain a decent sized 'bath tub' of fairly deep water that make for an ideal spot to soak. If one so desires?

Second, there is a twisting trail running out the back side of camp that leads to a beautiful waterful. (This waterfall can also be accessed from a spur trail off of the portage between Vernon and Brule lakes.) Of course Aurora has been here on a few different occasions, including her first ever trip, and takes great pride in running ahead and showing her cousins just how to get to this wilderness wonder. Eventually the energetically deficient members of our crew make their way back to the waterfall as well and we all spend time enjoying and exploring the variety of scenery in this area.

Our curiosity satisfied, we return back to the campsite on Vernon. Once there; Aurora, Carson & Logan return to the bath tub and keep themselves entertained catching frogs, finding cool rocks and riding the rapids down into the lake. This is certainly a highlight of the trip and we soak up this magical wilderness atmosphere for quite awhile.

It's a cooler partly overcast day. And, while the weather radio said rain was unlikely today, it is one of those days where a person is just never really sure which way things are gonna go. There are periods of sunshine quickly followed by a dark cloud moving in. Never the less we let the kids exhaust themselves playing in and around the water before heading back. The kids had such a good time that Ross suggests we come back next summer; only we access the area via Brule Lake which would be much less labor intensive.

On the paddle back, Clay and Ross venture deep into the southern lobe of Vernon before realizing the error of their ways. Other than that it is an uneventful, though enjoyable return to Swan Lake. Once there, supper is prepared and eaten, and then the kids occupy themselves playing hide and seek. Eventually, Ross and Logan decide to head out on the lake and try some fishing. It's a beautiful cool, quiet night and the quiet (kids not withstanding) ambiance of the campfire is an indulgent luxury, savored by the rest of us.

~Swan Lake, South Brule River, Vernon Lake