Monday, July 24, 2026 I drive up the day before to spend a little time in Ely, get my permit, final shopping and last meal at a table. I was able to get to the CCO lake site and secure a campsite for the night, get gear ready and canoe unloaded. Stiff from the drive I took a walk along Moose Road finding the trailhead to Secret/Blackstone trail. By the time I got back I was tired and asleep just as the moon was showing up. Up just before 6, I secured gear at the dock and parked my vehicle in the designated site. Having wilderness experience I did enjoy that last sit down before heading down to the dock. Ben, my tow driver, arrived as I did and he loaded the boat and we were on the water by 7. It was cool but the sun warm and the lake calm with a lifting fog along shoreline. No traffic all the way to Birch and Indian Portage. I sent my keys back with Ben and scheduled a tow out for Friday at 3. Pulled off the windbreaker and I was pushing off. The weather was ideal for travelling with calm turning in to light breezes as it warmed up and a light wind at my back picked up once on Knife. I met my first loons and an eagle soared around. Started seeing people still in campsites or out fishing but noted several open sites. People at portages were very friendly and I met some of the same folks on the way out. Once home I did a close review of gear and eliminated enough the problems I experienced would not have happened. The CCS Pioneer was too heavy and as many of you know it is getting the pack from canoe to shore and back and up on your back that is the most strenuous. My right shoulder said ouch on one of the portages. I am familiar with this old injury and worked it out, but it was a nag the rest of the trip. I made it to campsite 1460 by 2:30 having passed sites both occupied and open. I was tired and 1460 had good reviews so I took it. The landing is fabulous with great shelter canoe storage. The hike up to the campsite is a bit steep and putting on the pack is better than just lugging it up as it is a bit of a walk. The site is large and open with some large pine tucked off to one side. Excellent for one hammock, more would require sharing a tree. Tent sites were multiple, but some that look good are in low spots that fill with water in a heavy rain. The fire grate is level and in good shape. Earlier visitors erected a stone table. The bivy was not a bad walk and unremarkable. Ok, I will stay. I set up hammock and tarp and located short pieces of wood to build a lattice stand to elevate packs and gear under the tarp. Camp was set and time to just sit and take a break. So, I did. The campsite sits on a mostly flat and elevated spot with the lake to the west and a large bay to the east. I took many breaks to read and write in my journal and just experience. The site offers many small areas ideal for this pursuit. Watching the sun set I remembered I had dinner to prepare. Another adjustment in tripping is food. Hunger and appetite change. Going solo eliminates the social elements. Fixing a hot meal and clean up and just being tired are issues, too. But I like to eat well and the rotisserie chicken with garlic parmesan noodles was worth the effort. There was just enough light left to put gear away and hang the food pack followed by time in the chair watching the moon as clouds moved in. Tired in the bones, a little stiff, and so glad to be here. Move final gear into the tarp/hammock and soon fast asleep.

Tuesday, July 25, 2026 Predicted thunder and rain showed up after midnight and continued on and off until Wednesday morning. When I was ready to get up the ground under the hammock and tarp were running and pooled water. The lattice stands had gear all high and dry. But I had nothing dry to put my feet on. I was able to dangle one foot out and get a shoe on then the other and then realized one more benefit of a camp chair is somewhere to sit. Most of the day was spent in that chair under the tarp reading, writing, experiencing. Sometimes thunder claps and sometimes it rolls. I like thunder. Sometimes rain splashing on the lake makes millions of tiny crowns and sometimes the lake is obscured. Rain is okay and I was prepared. While cloudy most of the day the storms passed and I was able to fix a hot breakfast. I used another break to paddle over to Thunder Point where I was able to exchange text messages affirming folks at home okay and letting them know I was on site and plans. I was hoping to get Brian's text the fire ban was lifted, but none arrived. I noted an extensive blueberry patch near the top but no berries. On the paddle back I encountered a group and learned the fire ban had just been lifted. I had not been back at camp long before another storm arrived. One more break around six supported fixing another hot meal. While I had gathered a small amount of firewood the rains suggested waiting one more day. Stretching has become part of my being and Tuesday and the rain day were planned as recovery and assessment of ability time. Holding the stretches and deep breathing clean air seemed particularly rejuvenating. Assessment was that I was doing pretty well and other than the right shoulder/bicep issue I was in condition to complete the loop through Kek and out Ensign. But there was the right shoulder issue and the overweight green pack. I went to bed contemplating a trip to Eddy Falls.

Wednesday, July 26, 2026 Storms lingered in the morning but provided ample time to explore and locate firewood. By lunch I was okay with a day drying out, getting firewood collected and processed and paddling around the immediate area. All spaced with breaks to read, write, experience. I noticed an eagle floating by from time to time, of course the loons, an occasional beaver crossing the bay and as I was relaxing at sun set the clucking sound of what I suspect were the grouse I had seen earlier. I did notice quite a lot of wood that had been stripped bobbing along the shore. Too green and waterlogged for the fire but it was ideal for the lattice gear stands. While having a fire is a part of camping it gives me the coals I need to bake in my Frybake. Dinner was beef brisket with mashed potatoes and corn followed by pineapple cake. The fire was nice and the moon was not blocked by clouds. Normally I prefer dark skies, but this trip offered an exception. Tonight I enjoyed the moon and fire and quiet.

Thursday, July 27, 2026 Awoke to calm and cool with fog lifting on the bay and sunrise the way it is supposed to be. Quick oatmeal and link sausage breakfast and gather things for a day trip up to Eddy Falls and check out the burn area. Secure camp and slide into the water. It felt good. I had slept well and my internal systems were adapting to life in the BWCA. It felt good paddling up Knife checking out campsites from the boat (unless occupied) and a couple get out and wander around events. As I approached Eddy Falls I could see some burn, but from what I could see it left a few trees and overall not too bad. Eddy Falls was untouched and had a good flow of water from recent rain. A great spot for lunch and a selfie. I was watching my limits and decided to head back rather than explore farther. On the paddle back the wind picked up and became gusty. I maintained a sharp focus for changes in the lake surface and was successful in bracing when a gust would hit. The double blade paddle and a dozen years paddling made it all feel natural and a bit of challenge after quiet waters. I was glad to get back to campsite. Staying within limits is being tested on this trip and I have done a good job, other than the green pack being overweight. I feel confident travelling about 10 miles per day and know I could do more if needed. With that in mind I began breaking down camp and preparing for tomorrow's exit. I am feeling good about this trip and redefining my tripping experience. The gear finds its way back into packs and I start missing being here. A little read, journal, experience and ready for dinner. As the sun set and with full stomach and gear stowed for the night I enjoyed the evening fire awhile then climbed into the hammock with alarm set. The moon was scheduled to eclipse around 11 PM and I was up and out to appreciate it. I had scheduled a trip several years ago to watch a lunar eclipse and just as it started clouds then rain arrived. This time it was mostly clear. The occasional cloud allowed a brief near dark sky experience. Tired with a big day ahead I watched about forty-five minutes and was back to bed.

Friday, July 28, 2026 Another fabulous morning. I stayed in the hammock later than planned but got a good rest and was excited about getting home. Make coffee while final packing and haul gear down to the canoe. PB sandwich and coffee and the rest of the coffee in a thermos and the final survey of the campsite. Nothing left behind it was time to push off. Lake conditions were calm with lifting fog in the bays. I am making good time and as I get into the chain of portages and small lakes I met some of the folks I met coming in and we chatted and helped each other with pack loading. As it turned out several parties had three o'clock tows scheduled. We continued to conversations as gear and boats were loaded by the outfitters and soon I was the only one left. My tow was waiting offshore and another pleasant ride back to the base was enjoyed. Mixed of course with a little melancholy. Back at base load gear and canoe on the truck, shower, settle my account and head to Ely. A stop for a big salad and cold beer and drive on until tired. Stop and climb into the bed set up in the truck and fall asleep. It was raining again. I will be back.