Up at 5:15 AM and over to the gas station next to VNO for a breakfast of coffee and a granola bar. Back to VNO for my 6:00 AM shuttle to the entry point. The adrenalin was running high as I hit the 70 rod portage to Slim. I doubled it and was enthralled at the sight that met me at the landing. I got on the water heading toward the southern most campsite on Slim. Diva had told me it was a good one. Lo and behold, it was open! I grabbed it and set up camp. Then out for some fishing, but nothing but little Smallies. None the less, an enchanting paddle around my end of the Lake. Upon returning, an older gent and I believe his grandson paddled by looking for a site,. They had just come from Rice Lake and said all three sites on slim were taken. I invited them to share my site, but they thanked me and paddled on. I made a lunch of rice soup and cleaned up the dishes.

The campsite is well used and there was little or no firewood around. So I paddled across the lake and found some small downed pines that I stripped and loaded in the canoe. Back to camp to cut them up. The sun was blazing and the temp seemed to approach the 90's. I finally got the hang of my new "Innovations" camp saw by discovering it cuts very well only if you grab the handle close to the saw blade. I also like the dual configuration it offers by assembling into both a triangle and buck saw. Out for an evening paddle, back to start a fire and a light dinner of summer sausage, Velveeta cheese and mustard wrapped in a tortilla. It was cloudy so I stashed my food and hit the sack early.

Link to Video "Day 1- Slim Lake "

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngZbrs4RuHE