Saturday, August 06, 2022 Early in the morning on put-in day we all got up just as it was "graying-up" outside. After quickly getting dressed we went down to Britton's cafe for a hearty breakfast before final pack-up and the trip down the Fernberg Road to our entry point on Lake One. When we arrived, I was pleased to find that the landing was not too busy and that we were going to be able to launch without the pressure of getting organized while in other people's way. Even though we had to make a few trips back and forth from the lake to the parking lot to make sure we had everything, we weren't doing too bad...except...we DIDN'T have everything! We found ourselves short one life jacket! We were not going to launch without a lifejacket for everyone so this was going to be a trip all of the way back to Ely and back again to Lake One--a delay of more than an hour. I decided to first stop at Kawishiwi Lodge, which was right around the corner from the public landing, and see if there was some way I could obtain a lifejacket from them. Lodge owner Frank Udovich met me just as I was walking up to the office and when I explained my situation he said to just go into their shed and pick a lifejacket out. He would let me take it on the "honor system" and have me return it when we were done with the trip, settling any rental due at that time. This was outstanding! Thank you, Frank!!!!

Once I was back at the landing we were finally on our way. Paddling a canoe was new to most of us so we were not a fast group but made steady progress. After about an hour or so we made it to our first portage. As we started unloading I realized that our third canoe with Matt and Alicia, who had been right behind us, was now nowhere to be seen. As we backtracked around the first point from the portage, there they were...hung up on a rock. We pulled up next to them and transferred one of their heavy packs into our now empty canoe and that was just enough to help them float free. When we did the portage, this crew of first-timers performed like champs (again, my back was still tender so they did most of the hauling) so we were soon across and then over the pond and then past the second portage into Lake Two. Our target for the day was the southern end of Lake Three so we made quick work of Lake Two and continued into Three just as the breeze picked up and the lake got choppy. By the time we made it to the islands on the southern end of Three we had come through some whitecaps so we were ready to grab a campsite. Our first preferred site was already taken but our second choice, about a 1/4-mile away, was open so we landed there and after a quick walk uphill from the water were immediately pleased with our home for the next couple of nights. The fire grate and latrine checked out fine with plenty of options for shaded tent pads back in the trees. The best part of this site was the sweeping view of the lake and the way we were going to be able to see the sun set. After a lunch and getting camp set up we relaxed for the afternoon in our new wilderness home before enjoying a great supper and evening fire. As dusk came the hordes of mosquitoes reminded us that it was time to end our first successful day on the water and we all turned in for the night.