Friday, June 29, 2012

Oyster to Nina Moose. Approximately 6 miles.

We decide that our plan for today is to paddle out to E.P. 16 unless we are able to find a nice campsite on Nina Moose. We paddle to the eastern shoreline and find the portage head to the Oyster River. The 60 rod portage is mostly downhill, and by now the boys seem to have it all figured out. We enjoy this portage making up little songs as we hike.

We paddle down the Oyster river and decide against the portage over to Agnes. The water levels seem to be very high, and we paddle the MN 4 south to the 20 rod portage on the Oyster River. The marshy area joining the Oyster and Nina Moose rivers was pretty narrow in spots with a few pull overs along the way. The 23' MN 4 seemed a little long for some of the tight turns we encountered. It was different scenery with the grass being tall enough that we couldn't see over it at times. We found our way to 96 rod portage and then south to the 70 rod portage.

Falls Nina Moose River

The water fall at the north end of the 70 rod portage is beautiful. So is the constant view of the rapids as you hike south. We pass a U.S. Forest Service man who asks to see our permits. He advises us only 1 or 2 campsites were taken on Nina Moose. This is a good sign because none of us are really ready for this trip to end.

We find the campsite on tip of the peninsula on the northern side of the lake open, and get out to look it over. I would rate this camps site as a 4.85 star site. Only reason I don't give it a 5 star rating is because it is not quite as good as the one we stayed at on Oyster. Several nice tent pads, nice view, no bugs, newly dug latrine, very nice site!!

We unpack our gear, set up camp, and enjoy the day. Tomorrow should be an easy paddle out from here. Noah, Joel, and I take a long afternoon nap. Chris begins to feel bad, hot and cold with a headache and tries to rest most of the afternoon. I give him some medicine from our first aid kit.

We had several visitors in camp, a chipmunk, a squirrel, and a rabbit. The boys loved seeing the wild life this close.

The boys loved playing and climbing on the rocks near the shore as paw-paw fished.

We spend the evening fishing, taking pictures, and making the best of our last night in the BW. What a beautiful evening. I want to stay awake long enough to have the boys look and the stars, but we all fall asleep too early.

Joel and the moon

Canoe at sunset

Noah and the moon