I woke the morning of day 2 at 6:45. It was a glorious morning. The weather was perfect and the sites and smells of the wilderness were amazing to take in. I sent a Spot message to Nicole and started making breakfast. I enjoyed my oatmeal and the morning sitting in the buggout. I did some organizing of the camp, did more campsite maintenance trying to fix the issues I found, filtered more water, and did some reading thru the morning.

I planned a day trip to Keneu Lake where I was hoping to have lunch. I left my site around 11:30 and headed for the south end of Hook. As I got close to the portage, I realize I forgot my map back at the campsite. I searched the for the portage and find what I think is the portage. I walk it empty handed and find it to be a rock filled portage with a large pine laying directly across it. Being only a 30 rod portage I first thought it would be a simple portage. I decide not to carry the canoe and pack across as trying to climb over the large pine and the rocky footing, I would probably just create a disaster. I get back to my canoe and decide to explore Hook a bit and finish back at my site and have lunch there.

This trip I had some basic camera gear along to try and make a YouTube video for family to see. During the afternoon I do more video and did some reading back at my site as I relax and just enjoy my time. I am a teacher and had just finished my 27th year in the classroom, which was because of the pandemic far from normal. This time of relaxing and enjoying the boundary waters was such a refresher along with the challenge of doing it alone.

As evening started, I enjoyed my supper of Beef Stroganoff. I enjoyed my hammock that I had hung in my buggout and read. I sat and watched a 45 minute rain shower move thru the area. I couldn’t believe that tomorrow morning I would already be packing up and headed back home. I crawl into my tent and listen to the water dripping in the forest. I also came to realize that because of our summer schedule this might be my only trip into the BWCA this summer. I take in the sounds as I fall asleep.