THE FINAL PUSH We ate the last couple of Jolly Ranchers as we paddled out at daybreak.

Our mantra for the entire paddle down Moose towards the outfitter was "Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger". I don't know why it was a cheeseburger...it wasn't steak...it wasn't lobster...there was only 1 thing we wanted and it was a big ol' greasy cheeseburger.

Canadian Outfitters did not let us down. When we got to the lunch counter they had about 20 things on the menu and 10 of them were different kinds of cheeseburgers.

We had to pay for the lost food pack but we put it on a credit card then reported it stolen. The credit card company actually paid for it!

We got the camera developed and some of the pictures turned out...the bear picks did not.

My shins still bear the scars of not being able to get my feet out in front of me before hitting the rocks.

As for Justine & I...she is now my wife of 17 years. She still camps though she has not been back to the Boundary Waters. Our kids are old enough now that next year I can see a family outting into the Bdub. I think we will avoid Vera Lake.