Things I wish I'd known: 

1. The Canadian side of the Sucker Lake--Basswood Lake portage is 20 rods shorter than the American side. 

2. The Canadian side of the Horseshoe Falls portage is shorter but muddier.  Because my dog, Sadie, was on the trip, I cut an old Ensolite pad to lie on the floor, which was tucked under the gunwales, this raised Sadie up a half-inch and kept her dry. Rain turned to hail while crossing Basswood Lake, and the pad became a quick shelter for man and dog. The pad stays neatly in place in the canoe on portages. 

The first week temperatures were in the mid-30's in the morning and warmed to the 60's during the day. There was a fair bit of rain the first week, and then fair and warm temps the second week. 

The wind was in my face crossing Basswood Lake, both ways. 

Many swans on the Basswood River including cygnets. They flew down the river in the morning, past my campsite, honking, and flew back at night. 

Finished about 8 plein air paintings, and took 1,471 photographs to serve as reference works for studio paintings. The canoeists were generous in agreeing to serve as "models" for photos of them paddling. 

Wonderful trip.