After a quick oatmeal breakfast (I love me some blueberries and cream!) supplemented with freshly picked wild blueberries we broke camp. We would play it by ear this day. At the very least we wanted get back to Polly to make for a leisurely paddle out Tuesday. But after last night’s racket our patience for crowds was running thin.

The morning light revealed that our noisy neighbors were a group of 8. The paddle and portage back to Malberg also revealed that only 1 of the 5 campsites leading up to our bay was occupied so I am left to conclude the group’s stealth (not) escapade was stubborn and needless. Forgive me if I sound a little self-righteous, but aside from being inconsiderate I consider their paddling in complete darkness dangerous.

We encountered groups heading the opposite direction on nearly if not every portage between the river and Kawasachong Lake. Still we were paddling fast and making up portage time with our lightened food pack. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and for once we weren’t paddling into a headwind. When we arrived at the portage from Polly back to Townline Lake it was very congested so we stopped at the neighboring campsite on Polly and feasted on everything that was deemed to be weighing us down. At this point we were both daydreaming about the comforts of home and the push was on for the parking lot at Kawishiwi Lake.

That is, if we ever get off of Polly. Some of the same boats that barricaded the portage before we pulled over for lunch remained now as we waited 20 yards offshore. There was gear strewn everywhere-four boats worth. The teenagers among the group seemed to recognize how slow and obtrusive their group was, but lacked much direction. Their apparent trip leader however remained deliberate as ever, or just oblivious, taking time to grab a leech and bait his hook. The only thing less sincere than his half*** apology was my “no problem” response. We waited another 15 minutes until they finally cleared out. Once offshore I took great pleasure in seeing their “leader” steer his boat directly into the western shoreline and a fallen tree.

We encountered many more groups on the way out, a few just as unorganized, but none so casual or negligent. We also passed an inspirational married couple probably in their late 50s or early 60s that I wanted to hug. They single portaged no problem (wife packs front and back including what appeared to be a 60#+ food pack, husband with Duluth Pack 3 or 4 and MNII), and stated they had 60+ trips together. I can dream of being so fortunate.

In spite of our complaints about the noisy group and the crowded portages we agreed that this trip was a wonderful success. It probably couldn’t have gone better. Shady and I got along great and always seemed to be on the same page. I look forward to paddling with him sometime soon.

We completed the long haul back to Kawishiwi Lake in record time. Loaded up the truck (the once empty parking lot now FULL) and headed for Shady’s traditional Pizza Hut dinner in Two Harbors. We were back in the cities around 10:30 pm and I got the chance to meet the neighbors slim Shady hangs with. In a strange coincidence, it turns out we have a mutual friend, his neighbor, so I guess we weren’t really strangers after all.

PS-to the folks/posts that convinced me to buy and always bring a tarp-THANK YOU!