We take off and fly over Wamserville, and circle back to Red Lake. We are in smoke almost instantly. It is tough to see and the smell and stink is bad from the smoke. We fly out of the smoke and it is a really nice view. I have awesome pictures of this. Then we circle Red Lake, fly over the town and head in for the landing on Howey Bay. As we prepare to land, I see a pontoon boat out in front of us a ways. They get out of the way as we land and it was funny to watch that. It was a wedding party, and they have a float plane headed toward them landing so they kicked the throttle in high gear and got the heck out of the way. They will not forget that I assure you! Tim did a great job. I tipped him and Russ a little at Viking Outpost, and met the other owner Craig. Then I loaded my stuff up and headed for the hotel in Balmertown, Ontario. I could not get a room at the Howey Bay Hotel (the wedding party rented all the rooms, the ones on the pontoon boat hahaahaha) oh, and I did stop a the local grocery store in Red Lake and by Molly three HUGE cans of dog food for a treat. I fed her one right away when I got to the Balmer Inn in Balmertown. She ate it all and her tail was wagging. I then went down stairs to the bar/café and had a cold beer and ordered a steak, met some fella’s from Kentucky, they were headed out in the morning to go fishing. We talked for about an hour. They bought me a beer and I returned the favor. Then Harlan showed up and I gave him his phone back. He was headed out via float plane to catch up with Martin Kehoe and the other guys from Solotripping.com on Glen Lake I think? Went to bed and didn’t sleep well at all. I was right above the bar and they had a band downstairs and were open till 2 am. NOISY. I got up early like 5 and took off by 6 or so.  I drove all the way to Sioux Fall’s, SD where my son Nick, Amanda, and grandkids Caden and Kyleigh live. They put Molly and I up for the night. It was a long day, like 13 hours of driving. Next day I got up and drove home to Charlene. She was gone, and would catch up with her later for supper. I was at work before Noon. So that is my story, I hope you enjoyed it.

Final Thoughts:

  There is nothing more satisfying then going to the woods, paddling, camping and being a witness to the beauty of nature. I mean, I only saw 2 folks in a tandem canoe and a guy in a solo canoe in 5 days. That is pretty remote! Seeing a Bear swim across the river in front of you, Eagles, Beaver, ducks, geese, loons, Moose with Calf, and I even saw my first Spruce Grouse, that Molly flushed up walking on the 900 meter portage. I mean it is just really something to behold, all of these things, burnt into your mind. It is an awesome feeling and adventure. It takes a lot of preparation and knowledge, and you just wouldn’t want to go do this, without knowing what the heck your doing. So the old Boy Scout Motto of “Be Prepared” really is true, especially in this situation. I know, even though I researched this a lot, I underestimated what “low water or no water” could cause for work and agony…but I knew I would get through it. This was the toughest trip I have ever done. I did enjoy the trip a lot. Folks say “hope you have fun” It’s not really “fun” It’s more of an Adventure. I really like the challenge and the wilderness. So I will go back, and I really liked having Molly along.   Some of the things I did this trip that were different then my first solo, Molly the dog came along, reflector oven, real chair, hammock, hanging bag shower, bigger/better axe, fresh meat first night, real solo canoe instead of a tandem turned into a solo, yak paddle, Didn’t have any alcohol at night, Went further, Used float Plane in and out. Also took along the Canon Digital Camera and Case.   I also learned I need to take a few more days and slow down a bit!!! Maybe slip a rest day or two in-between (remind me of that when you talk to me so I don’t forget) FYI… I did have an EKG and Stress Test when I got back, Heart is perfect, Blood Pressure is Great! Seems it was my Hiatel Hernia or Acid Reflux that made me feel bad. So that is good news!!!! Another FYI, I took over 500 pictures with two camera’s and also at least 2 hours of video…so should have some memories burnt into film also.   I hope you all enjoy the story and thoughts on my adventure with Molly. We had a wonderful time! Thanks to the support of all my family, friends, and “canoe buddies” from BWCA.com and Quite Journey who have helped me get better at this. And a special thanks to Martin and the staff of the WCPP for taking such good care of the park and the visitor’s, and special thanks to Harlan Swartz, He is a “good scout” and my friend and outfitter.

I am Blessed !

Paul Kolterman       Go to My Albums to see pictures there is over 100!