It’s a very cold morning but, having layered up, we are no worse for wear once Aurora gets the fire roasting. I’d bought Aurora some wool clothing prior to the trip and after, the first few balmy days I was beginning to wonder if she’d even need it. Sprouting like a weed lately, she may outgrow it if she doesn’t use it this year. However, it’s frigid mornings like this that make those expensive items invaluable trip savers. (SIDE NOTE: Upon our return, Andy informed us that he had 21 degrees this morning at Tuscarora Lodge)

In getting camp torn down & packed away, I discover that I didn’t pack as much hot chocolate as I thought I did and, there are only a few packets left after breakfast. Aurora is not happy with the news but, realizes she will need to ration going forward. Still, she continues to take great pleasure in helping with camp chores - like putting the fire out.

It’s a gloomy gray morning which ironically kept things warmer than they would be otherwise. Methodically we proceed to work our way towards Cherokee Lake. Covering familiar waters, we quickly make our way to Gordon Lake. The southern most site is vacant and seems like a good spot to take a break before our final portage of the day.

Being so close to a busy portage; the small bay provides a sense of privacy while the towering, nearly sheer, cliff just across the bay provide a stark change scenery. A gently sloping rock face landing provides an inviting scene. The fire grate has a dirty feel to it and it quite lumpy, there are no tent pads within eyeshot. However, just up the trail to the latrine, a lush flat field is unveiled that will easily accommodate 3-4 tents. Don’t know that I’ve run across this before in the BWCA. Almost like a city campground!

While certainly nothing severe, our last portage of the day is an uphill affair. It’s a short trail and there is an expansive landing on the Cherokee side that provides a dramatic panoramic view of the north end of this fabled lake.

Not having run across too may other people earlier in the trip, we now can see several other canoes plying the waters here and, soon discover one of my target sites (the northern most island site) is currently occupied. We exchange friendly hellos with the occupants as we paddle past.

Tracing the profile of this long island in a south west direction, we paddle within eyeshot of the southern site on the island and quickly determine to move on. I swing the Black Pearl east towards the extended peninsula where there is supposed to be a site.

This is a very scenic area as multiple islands are peppered about the surrounding waters. A diminutive, but shallow water, landing at the point of the peninsula calls us in. Aurora excitedly hops out and instantly hollers back that, “It’s a really nice site and nobody’s here!” If she’s happy, I’m happy.

Situated in an expansive grove of mature cedar with some bushy balsam trees interspersed, this is a sprawling though well sheltered site. Fresh wood shavings indicate that the log seating around the fire grate has been recently improved and will provide some good fire-starting chips. There’s a neat bench just off the landing to sit and contemplate the outstanding scenery as no less than 5 islands surround the local horizons. There’s only really one good tent pad (which we claim) but, there is room for several others and good tarp & hammock options abound. Safe to say, we are both immediately enamored with our new home.

While it certainly has warmed up from this morning, it is still quite cool as we finish getting camp setup. So much so that I feel some warm chicken noodle soup will be a most appropriate supper. Of course, I add some foil pouched chicken pieces to the broth & noodles and, pull out a sleeve of Ritz crackers. Astonishingly, this quick, simple supper quickly becomes the meal of the trip and we devour all the soup and another sleeve of crackers!

This site is blessed with an abundance of downed cedar which, in my opinion, is the best firewood there is. However, someone has recently snapped off some smaller live trees and branches and left them near camp. It appears they didn’t have a saw or, implement to properly process firewood. Aurora occasionally throws the cedar boughs into our fire to clean things up. She calls this her snap, crackle & pop and thoroughly enjoys how the fire comes to life when she does so. I figure it’s a win win.

Afterwards, we lounge on our shoreline bench and watch as a couple of loons and a few beavers are swimming around just out from shore, providing free entertainment. Prayers, and then a few games of rummy have become our nightly ritual and it’s no exception tonight as we thank God for this beautiful camp, friendly wildlife and safe travels today before turning in this evening.