Friday, July 20: Our last day. We sleep in a little, kind of reluctant to get our of bed, knowing that our vacation is over, with only the drive back to Wausau, and then Milwaukee for the rest, left. Breakfast is whatever we wanted to eat that was still left, and there was plenty, break camp, and then the paddle across Brule. Again, the winds were friendly for us and the last paddle goes by too quick. And then it is load up the cars, and head into Grand Marais for some showers. This time the roads are pretty dusty, more gunk to wash down the shower drains. That is taken care of by the municipal pool, and then we stop for a chat with the folks at the Northhouse Folk School. My brother Greg knows them through project they have done at St. Olaf, where Greg works. We drive down the north shore to Betty's Pies for our "return to civilization meal" and then to Duluth where we stop to do one more geocache. We then say goodbye to Greg and Wylie as they head back to Northfield, and the rest of us make the drive back to Wausau. We get back around 9:00, unload the gear, and then Tom, Rick, and their boys have another three hour trip before they are home. By then, I'm already asleep, dreaming about next year's trip. I must say, and the brothers all concurred, this trip was our best ever. The weather was warm, but not too hot. We had only one little incident with rain. Fishing was OK,saw noone at portages, and few on the wather, even for the middle of July, and saw some incredible sights. And then there's the group factor, the four brothers have had a lifetime of picking on the youngest, and making fun of the oldest when he would try to be the leader. Now that we are in our late 40's and early 50's, it still hasn't changed. We can still argue, but this time it's without having to tell mom. Yet, there is still an incredible bond between us. It's something that our parents gave us along with the faith that carries us too. These are things God is now letting us share with our sons as our father did with us. Matt, while often observing this unique camaraderie, could have easily fit in as brother #5. He will be welcome on any other trip. There are still some of the nephews who have not made this trip, but they all want to, as well as our two brothers-in-law. They would equally be welcome, but the limit of nine per group, albeit justified, will not make this all possible on one trip. My prayer is that 2008 will be trip #4 for the 4 bros, and whoever else dares to tag along, you'll have a blast. See ya'!