I'm awake before dawn, not hard this late in the season. I take some pictures of a beautiful sunrise, and enjoy some hot chocolate while appreciating a level of solitude I've never before experienced in my life. This really is something special.

Some exploring, a bit of hammock lounging, and then a decision to pack lunch and head off for a day trip towards Burnt lake.

I paddle back across Alton and then across and north on Sawbill. Smoke Lake is filled with a slimy green algae. I paddle around the perimeter of the lake exploring each island and campsite. I continue to Burnt Lake which also appears very swampy. I'm glad i didn't choose to stay on one of these lakes, since drinking this nasty water does not seem apealing to me.

I hadn't seen another person on the lake since first hitting the water 24 hours prior, but it's now THU, and that wouldn't happen again for the rest of the trip. It's not as nice, but still pretty hard to complain about sharing an entire lake with just a handful of people. The first few sites on Burnt lake are occupied, but I find a nice empty campsite to sit down for lunch. Lunch is quick and tasty. As before I spend much of the time pondering how happy I am to be there, and how beautiful the area is.

It's now late afternoon, time to head back towards camp.

3 portages down, 4 more to go today. Portaging is not my favorite part of the BWCA experience, but it's a price to be paid for seeing new lakes.

I head back through burnt and smoke lakes, back across Sawbill and to the Kelso river, which is just beautiful. This is heaven for me. I make my way to kelso lake and the short portage back to Alton and the campsite. The weather is wonderful again today. I decide to cool down after my long paddle with a swim. The water is cold, but very refreshing. I sit on the warm rocks along shore for a while, letting the heat from the sun take away the water's chill. Another great day.

Dinner is excellent, this is better than what I make when I'm at home. I clean up the dishes and start a small campfire.

I look out over the lake as my second evening approaches and regret starting the campfire so early. I love being out on the water at twilight, but not today, I'm now bound to the campsite. Oh well, there is always tomorrow night for that. Some smores are a tasty way to make me quickly lose my regret over starting the fire too soon.

It's very windy tonight, the trees are shaking and things are very loud. Last night was calm and quiet as could be, so every small (or large) sound in or near camp was keeping me awake and wondering about the safety of my food pack, so this will be a nice change.