===Story Time===

Coming in we had heavy winds that produced decent waves 1 to 2 feet high. That doesn't seem like much until you're in a canoe loaded to the gills and a heavier-than-last-year linebacker named Ethan. Took on about 5 gallons of water. Many things got wet. Do better with dry sacks the mullet says, as it drips on the nape.

EthanB burned himself three separate times in the same night. He shall now be called "hot-things optimism" (Taylor Swift has already asked for rights to use that as a song title). The next night in an attempt to dry his shoes he melted them. Learned later those shoes were from the 8th grade. The mullet commends the use of something equal to six mullet life spans; if you're on the mullet-a-year plan.

Cliff jumping on Beth Lake was excellent and squeal-y . We did the highest jump multiple times (16 feet ?). Then we swam to a campground that almost vanquished the mullet's host. Nobody really knows if there is a mullet afterlife.

The host found a tick in the mullet while canoeing. That was a first for the host. It was a first for the mullet. The mullet told the tick he understands parasitism.

A lot of time was spent around the campfire with the three young men having many conversations full of inside stories and laughter. The old'ish man (the mullet's host) enjoyed observing life-long friendships continue on their journey and looks forward to the suggestion of bringing the other fathers next year.

One of the campers had never had PB&J sandwiches or tuna from a packet. Another had never had peanut butter on a stick of celery. The mullet kept its strands out of all food all trip and was rewarded with a degreasing in the outfitter shower named "Birchwood".

All young-adult campers had extremely little concern over using unwashed dishes. Ramen on that cup from last night? No worries, load in some oatmeal for this morning and then mix some tuna for lunch. The mullet likens this to sharing a comb with another mullet known for frequenting the "lice alleys".

One camper donated his rod/reel and sunglasses to the lake. When the host shook his head the mullet flapped side to side with the resulting wind causing a slight disturbance to a nearby butterfly. That's nature.

Saw five loons all together at the same time. The mullet doesn't say "wow" but it knows it was cool.

===New Gear/Ideas===

Used a 2" diameter by 9" long black PVC tube as a "case" for my collapsible fishing rod in my backpack. The piece of duct tape on the button kept it stuck to the bottom so it didn't slide out. Worked really well. Now I just need to find a squash-proof transport mechanism for my reel. Recommendations?

Added a pre-filter on the gravity water filtration system. It was made from a 3" PVC elbow with a piece of sheer curtain rubber-banded over the end and placed in the top of the "dirty water" bag. This was a game changer because it meant I didn't need to backflush until I packed the Sawyer filter five days later. Previously I would need to backflush around twice a day. The mullet made some comment about being comfortable resting on a red neck.

Sawbill Outfitters has an area in the back of their store with used equipment (who knew!). I scored three Ranger X paddles for $20/ea. They retail for $150/ea. As Karl Malone once said, "The mullet know how to grease the wheel".

Brought a stainless coffee percolator for heating water over the fire for the first time. Thanks Knuter for introducing me to this cool idea. The handle was melt-able plastic so I manufactured a replacement from a 2x6 and that worked great.

Bought a Menards medium duty camo tarp for over the fire. Another idea I stole from Knuter (or maybe he willingly is letting me borrow it?). This is so incredibly nice for rainy days so you can still enjoy the fire and have a commons area. In related news, we borrowed Knuter's screened tarp and that was a life-saver for Tuesday as it was rainy and buggy. I highly recommend it so you can have reprieve from the skeeters and play some cards.

Bought a Shelta Seahawk hat. It took three trips to Scheels for me to pull the trigger because I've never spent $54 on a hat before (yikes!) but it was a sure winner this past trip. Its brim is stiff like a baseball cap so it doesn't flap in your eyes in high wind. There is both an elastic cinch and neck cord for variances of keeping it tight. And there is a place to hood the chin strap in the back so it's not constantly dangling on your mullet - NICE! A review by an acquaintance finally convinced me: https://manmakesfire.com/shelta-hats-review-seahawk.../

With my Christmas money I bought a Kershaw pocket knife. I went this smaller form route because I found I rarely needed the bigger Morakniv which was constantly getting caught on things. This knife clips nicely in my pocket and could even cut a lock of mullet if somebody asked for one.

===Next Trip=== My next BWCA trip is in late August with Hosanna church of Mankato, where the Bartells have been attending since Easter. I know exactly no one that is going on the trip and I couldn't be more excited (a couple years ago I self-diagnosed as an extrovert). Hosanna is organizing the trip and I just show up with my own personal items and hop in a van. This will be a new experience for me because usually my mullet and I plan all the deets. Maybe it's a trip about fasting and praying and there's no food. That would certainly surprise my impacted colon and the mullet would have to find other means for nutrients.

Till next time.

Aaron "a rat tail is a compromised mullet" Bartell