Up at 5 AM again today, and paddling at 7.

In the evening the pineys [that seems to be what I called red squirrels back then] had inspected the camp and licked a spoon. This AM they were trying to get into the orange pack. [food pack] Pesky critters!

We enjoyed Mountain House sausage for breakfast with our pancakes. The sausage was very good. [I haven't seen that in years and would like to find some again.]

It had been a really warm night. We didn't bag up and we kept the tent flap open.

This was "waterfall day." We took the Bottle Portage and it was not a fun experience--mosquitoes unlimited and lots of mud. Ugh!

Then we followed the border around to Curtain Falls. Very impressive! I took four photos [but none of them seem to have survived.] After that we went to Rebecca Falls, which is double, and with the low water didn't seem much like a waterfall at all to me. We ate our lunch at Rebecca Falls. There is a breeze, but it is extremely HOT! Almost overwhelming. Neil takes it better than I. It is awfully dry here. [Hate to be so repetitive, but I am just quoting my journal.] Found a few ripe blueberries, but most are just dried up.

The water bag has a hole in it. Up until now we had been boiling water. [No mention of what was done for the rest of the trip.]

Camped about 2 PM on the northernmost island in McAree Lake. It is quite open and the hot breeze blows through. It is a hilly island with few flat spots.

I found a lady slipper but the blossoms are dry and brown. Everything is SUPER dry! The temperature at 3:15 is 89 degrees, but it feels warmer. It was noticeable at the two waterfalls how much the water level is below the usual line. About a foot from normal, and not as much water over the falls.

We napped and read during the hot afternoon. Had a late supper about 8 PM after a bath and swim. At 8:22 it was still 86 degrees and [have I said this before?] very dry. There is a jumping fish right by the campsite. I am sitting on a curved tree "a la Cypress Gardens' Wish Tree". I am wishing for cooler temps and no biting flies! It is very still on the lake. I had to ask Neil pose for a photo in the "wish tree".

We retired to the tent about 10 PM. The water is close by, and the fish are still jumping. We can hear the rapids from here. Loons are calling. It will be another hot night.

Tomorrow we are headed back in the direction of Lac La Croix. More adventures to come! We plan to repeat the Namakan Loop.