Friday, June 19, 2020 Woke up and made a quick breakfast of granola bars as we broke camp. Again the boys did the majority of the work as I broke down the fishing gear, packed the packs and duffle bags as they brought me stuff. A little cooler today but wind was still present, again not very stiff breezes but enough to notice. (sidenote: I have had “the pleasure”(???) of paddling south on Moose lake from Prairie Portage to the landing area against whitecaps and strong wind for many hours. This was when the phrase, “Paddle damn you, just paddle” came out of my mouth as my wife of just 1 year (and her first time up here) wanted to turn around in the bow seat and complain about the wind. She had a right to do so, of course, but it was not going to get us home. And yes, she is still married to me 40 years later and she has come on another trip up north to Quetico since this one bad day.) Not much on the trip out from Lynx. Many sites, if not all of them in Shell and Little Pauness were filled. Shell was almost as busy as the highways of Duluth. Portages were busy so slowed us down, which turned out to be nice on the LIS river as we were “forced” to enjoy the falls on the portage along the way. We took our time but we were also looking forward to a shower and a soft bed at Ely Motel. Got to the car around 3pm, back to town around 5-ish to turn in our canoes and phone. Chatted a bit with the Olson’s, thanked them a few more times for their help and guidance. Told them a little about our trip and what we experienced. The boys had to find some craft beer and was rewarded in town as we went to pick up our dinner curbside from Boathouse Brewpub, another great place in town to eat!!! Turned in and watched a little re-run hockey on the TV. Covid was still affecting our second favorite pastime! Great trip in all regards, fishing could have been hit harder, a few less portages would have been nice but once we got to Monday afternoon on Lynx we only saw one other group stay a night or two starting on Wednesday night, a little cooler days maybe, less wind on a few, but after I have been through a few really bad storms, blowdown type winds, bears in our camp and my fishing pole being pulled out of my canoe by a fish while I was busy taking a fish off for my friend, I would have to say that this trip was right up there near the top!