Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

sawbill-temperance-burnt loop-who let the dogs out
by wkdoit

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 08/02/2008
Entry & Exit Point: Sawbill Lake (EP 38)
Number of Days: 6
Group Size: 3
Trip Introduction:
Crew-the dogs:Me WK,my 16 year old son Jack & and Nick.Nick is a 23 year old guy who I met at the new pub in my hometown.He is the only guy bartender I have ever liked. Great personality,positive attitude,seemed honest and hardworking.We had gone fishing and hung out a couple times. I had told him about the trip and he asked if he could go.He was enthusiastic.This worked out very well. My original plan was for Jack and a friend to use my spirit II and I would take my prism solo.The way it worked out was Nick took the prism,Jack and I the spirit.
Day 1 of 6
Saturday, August 02, 2008


The plan was to leave about 4am.I rolled around till 4:45and woke up Jack. We secured the boats on the truck and drove to Nick's place to pick him up.We got to his house.I walked in an unlocked door,all the lights and tv were on and a burner on the stove was red hot with a pan on it.Nick was passed out on his bed, oblivious to the world.He had been to the town fest the night before and probably rolled in at 2 or 3 in the morning. I love this guy! I managed to rouse him, we got his stuff loaded and took off with lightning speed to the great northwoods. When we got to the other end of the next town, Nick realized he forgot his tent. We drove back to get it. It was still set up in his back yard. We loaded up and restarted our journey.

]Both guys slept most of the way up. This is fine with me.I like to drive, oftentimes with no music or radio for long stretches We got situated at sawbill campground. This is a VERY BUSY time of year. I am used to may/sept trips with few fellow travelers. The amount of people we encountered on portages was at times disconcerting, other times downright annoying.

We set up camp,threw the football around, then cooked steaks with salad Nick works at a restaurant so I asked him if he would cook the steaks over the fire. I would clean up. I can't cook worth a darn. This arrangement worked very well the rest of the trip.

I am very basic on my menus because like I said, I can't cook. Also it seems every time I go to bdub I get the feeling that we or I, don't really need to eat as much as we do. On this trip,the food plan worked perfectly.