“I’m almost packed ready to leave Quetico. I just heard what sounded like two gunshots. There’s a thick haze over the water this morning. A fire was seen yesterday and today I’m heading towards it.” *I originally thought this was smoke but then realized it must be fog because I really didn’t smell anything.

It’s going to be another hot, perfect day for paddling.

I sure got lucky with the weather on this trip. It made things so much easier than having to deal with strong winds or rain. I’ll remember this trip for the things I heard and saw. Hearing the wolf on McNiece, the huge pines on the portages and the island on Joyce, the strong storm on Shade Lake. The big bass caught on Burt and fighting the waves to get to that island site. The awesome little site on Ted Lake. That one was probably my favorite one of the trip and initially I was disappointed with it. I remember that front porch with such a great view of the sun setting that evening.

There was the eagle in camp on Robinson and the two eagles fighting over a fish on Kett yesterday. I sure wish I had my camera out for that one. The pack of loons coordinating together to herd fish like sheepdogs was something I’ll never forget. Hearing the moose swimming and breathing so close to me in my hammock on the first night was very cool.

Then there was the portages and the land navigation errors along the way. I signed up for adventure and I found it! The feeling of realizing that I just portaged to the same lake I started out on is a very helpless feeling. Pulling up to a beautiful campsite is all that much sweeter after struggling on the water and up and down portage trails all day. Hearing the loons every morning as I wake up is pretty incredible.

“And I have only seen two canoes so far this entire trip. That’s pretty amazing to me. It’s been a very enjoyable journey. It was hard physically, but I do feel very good taday. I can tell I lost some weight. (8 pounds) My hip doesn’t hurt anymore and my knees have been good. I’m in pretty good shape now, too bad I’m leaving!

Well, I’m glad I took the time to do this. I’m very excited to see all the pics and videos and get back home where I miss my wife and dog. I gotta thank Mia for letting me do crazy stuff like this. I hope she was able to follow along with all the SPOT locator messages I have left. Ah yes, the sound of motor boats in the distance now. Time to go."

The Starship in the driveway on Basswood.

Navigating was very difficult here. I had to make sure I picked the right bay to go into.

I stopped in Wind bay to take advantage of the nice photo opps. I took my time. I was in no hurry and wanted to just soak it all up.

The portages into and out of Wind Lake were well traveled but still very pretty. Once out on Moose Lake I finally saw some people. A group of 3 tandem canoes passed and were going to base camp on Wind Bay. These canoes had kids in the bow seat with apparently their 3 Dads in the stern and were loaded to the gills. The pile of camping gear in each canoe was incredible. Large coolers and plastic trash bags piled up as high as the paddlers. I had to laugh. Bet those 2 portages won’t be very much fun for them.

We had small talk and went on our way. I paddled down Moose and came across this guy.

Apparently this one is comfortable around paddlers because he got pretty close to me. After 20 minutes or so I pulled up to William and Hall, my outfitter. My young friend was there to greet me and unload my boat. I talked with Charlene the co owner and she gave me a complimentary doctor pepper and a towel for my shower.

I was shortly on my way back to Ely where I just had to feast at Brittons. This is a little café off the main drag and is great for breakfast. I had eggs and stuffed hash browns and got a full thermos of coffee to go. The people are so friendly and down to earth around here, I just love it.

Soon, I was on my way back home to Suburbia.