Sunday, June 19, 2016 Duff day! [paragraph break]We planned our four night trip with two nights on Gillis, and then two nights on Tuscarora Lake, so today was all about relaxing and breathing in the wilderness. Hammocks were strung, and it was still warm enough to go for a dip in the lake, so we had big plans to do a whole lot of nothing! [paragraph break] We hammocked, swam while the warm temps were still upon us, and took a leisurely paddle around the majority of Gillis. During our paddle we noticed we still hadn't seen any other humans since that portage to Gotter. We figured we were the only campers on the lake. The day flew by and before we knew it, it was supper time. As the storm clouds grew to the southwest, the sound of taps played on a trumpet quickly divulged that we were not the only souls enjoying the lake. And what a treat that was to hear those sweet sounds under the pink and orange glow of the impending storm. [paragraph break] About a half hour after this photo was taken, we were safely hunkered down in our carefully placed tent. The storm raged pretty good around us, but nothing we hadn't been through before. Little did we know, that to the northeast of us, a man would die that night in the Boundary Waters. That was sobering news when we emerged from the wilderness a few days later. I think about that a lot when we are out there now, how fragile we are in the presence of mother nature.

Sunday, June 19, 2016 Duff day! [paragraph break]We planned our four night trip with two nights on Gillis, and then two nights on Tuscarora Lake, so today was all about relaxing and breathing in the wilderness. Hammocks were strung, and it was still warm enough to go for a dip in the lake, so we had big plans to do a whole lot of nothing! [paragraph break] We hammocked, swam while the warm temps were still upon us, and took a leisurely paddle around the majority of Gillis. During our paddle we noticed we still hadn't seen any other humans since that portage to Gotter. We figured we were the only campers on the lake. The day flew by and before we knew it, it was supper time. As the storm clouds grew to the southwest, the sound of taps played on a trumpet quickly divulged that we were not the only souls enjoying the lake. And what a treat that was to hear those sweet sounds under the pink and orange glow of the impending storm. [paragraph break] About a half hour after this photo was taken, we were safely hunkered down in our carefully placed tent. The storm raged pretty good around us, but nothing we hadn't been through before. Little did we know, that to the northeast of us, a man would die that night in the Boundary Waters. That was sobering news when we emerged from the wilderness a few days later. I think about that a lot when we are out there now, how fragile we are in the presence of mother nature.

Monday, June 20, 2016 Travel day! Having had plenty of time to recover our weary bodies, we were eager to move on and see more of the wilderness. With only three portages ahead of us, we felt like old pros after that first day. We left our site pretty early in the morning, I'm guessing it was around 7:30 or so. We knew the wind was going to really pick up so we wanted to get off this first body of bigger water before that happened. Smooth sailing to the Crooked portage.[paragraph break] I have to say, the way we were hauling our gear, with both of our noggins stuck up inside a canoe, we certainly missed out on so much on those portages. There is something to be said for double portaging. We could hear the stream on the portage, but couldn't see it. We never knew there were remnants of an old cabin on the portage either. All lessons we were learning along the way to Crooked Lake, the prettiest little lake I have ever seen. I fell in love with those narrow intimate channels as we cruised across the lake. [paragraph break] The journey through Crooked and Owl were mesmerizing. There was such a peace through those lakes but we knew that peacefulness was slowly eroding as the tree tops began to whisper, then roar like a freeway through the forest. The ripples on the water grew by the moment and we had the big open expanse of Tuscarora yet to do. It was still late morning by the time we got on Tusc and the wind was roaring. Predictions were 20-40 mile an hour winds and that promise was being met. We quickly got in the canoe and basically set sail. I remember paddling along, not really working all that hard, and yelling back at Krystal, "I feel like we are going really fast!"[paragraph break] We were riding with the wind and the canoe bobbed and raced across that lake riding on the crest of waves. I have never gone that fast in a canoe or kayak before and though a bit nervous, it felt like flying. We rode those waves all the way to a lovely beach site on Tuscarora. [paragraph break] We arrived early enough to the campsite to avoid the brunt of the biggest winds. We rode out the last warmth of the day taking a quick dip on that lovely beach with the dogs and having a lovely dinner of Shepherd's Pie.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016 Exploring Tuscarora On our last full day of this journey, we were determined to explore as much as Tuscarora Lake as we could. After a lazy morning at camp, we drifted out on day trip around the lake. We encountered a very angry beaver in a back bay on the southern part of the lake. Later in the day, we encountered a once in a lifetime show! On a rock island, there lived a Tern family. That family had a wee baby Tern wading around their rocky home. We heard a kerfuffle above us and breathlessly watched as a tern and an eagle battled above rock island. Mama tern was not pleased with the prospect of losing her teeny fella. The wee baby tern ducked low in the water, hiding from the eagle until it got closer to its home on Rock Island where it quickly hid on his home with absolutely no hiding spots! The eagle finally flew off after a good battle with mom, and the ending was happy for at least one party in the Sky Battle of Tuscarora! [paragraph break] We dipped our paddles back in the inky waters and propelled ourselves back toward our campsite. A loon became a willing guide, at least for part of the trip back to camp. The evening the lake was a glassy reflection on which we reminisced a lot about the last couple of days, laughing at ourselves and our choices as we made our way to this moment in time.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016 Parting is such sweet sorrow. The warming sun and cheery call of the birds woke us early on exit day. We soaked in the last of the beauty of Tuscarora and packed up swiftly, knowing the work we had in front of us to get back to the car, the long mile to mile and a half long portage to Missing Link. With the lake still shimmering like glass, we set off to conquer our last true test of the trip. And you know what, we did it! We trudged along that portage at a slow but steady snail's pace, and even got some encouragement from a couple of lovely ladies headed the opposite way as us. Their, "You're almost there, ladies!" gave us even more motivation to do the job. Through the muck, the mire, and they mild misery, seeing that expanse of open sky when we got to Missing Link, well, we were smiling like fools! [paragraph break] The rest of the journey was easy. The learning was hard but worth it. Today, as I write this, looking back on this trip I have nothing but fond memories and respect for the work we did and how we did it. We've come a long way since that short foray in the BWCA. Krystal and I, (I'm Tina, by the way) each paddle solo ultralight Northstar kevlar boats and double portage every portage. There's so much to see when you double portage! We take long two week trips and have not stopped returning each year for a trip or two or three since this first challenge. Though it may have been one of the more difficult adventures in our lives, that difficulty etched a deep love and respect for this heart wrenchingly beautiful wilderness. [paragraph break] I hope you enjoyed reminiscing with me on my first ever trip report. I had fun traveling back in time and I hope to share more of our trips with you all. Paddle on!