I awoke to the same sound that put me to sleep the night before. It’s amazing how the howling wind can put you to sleep. Getting up to start the day I walked around the campsite searching for nice small twigs to start a camp fire for breakfast. Once I had the fire going Greg got to work frying a pound of bacon over the open flames. I must have chomped down 4 sticks before the second batch was even done. Being outdoors, listening to the fire popping and the bacon sizzling really brings out the full flavor of your food. We were off to a great start for the day but the weather was not co-operating and there were some white caps on the lake. Telescope Lake didn’t look like it did yesterday. We decided to wait out the clouds and wind so it was time to put the Sawvivor to go to work again! If we were going to wait out the storm, there better be an ample supply of wood next to the fire.

Another thing I enjoy is tending the fire and that involves seeking out the best firewood, which is very abundant here. Good sharp hatchet and a Sven Saw is all you will need to keep the fire going. Greg was really into the Phil Robertson book titled “Happy, Happy, Happy” that I’d brought along. Since last night he had not put the book down. There’s a little Duck Dynasty in all of us! There is a lot about Family, growing up and life responsibilities that go into Phil Robertson’s book. Midday came and I was watching the wave’s crash into the shore, when off in the distant narrows I spot four canoes! Felt like I was watching the Mayflower heading into the harbor from a distance. I called to Greg and we watched to see what direction they were headed. The canoes made their way just north of our Island. Now, Greg and I had been contemplating on setting out in this weather all morning. My confidence was up after seeing the other canoes. We cautiously decided to make the push to Optic Lake. We packed up camp, loaded the canoe and we were ready to shove off - both wearing our fleeces. I don’t know about Greg, but I was sure glad I packed mine. I must have packed and unpacked that fleece about twenty times leading up to the trip. The canoe was bouncing off the shore and rocking back and forth against the rocky campsite landing. Greg said, “Time to get in, let’s go!” I stepped into the canoe and found my balance while the waves crashed against the side of the canoe. Greg pushed off and just like that, we were on our way! We cut across the lake to get to the shore line where there was less wind and gentler waves. We soon realized that there were bigger things to deal with right now. The swells were rocking the canoe and we both felt the canoe teeter to the side and Greg yells out, “Paddle!” And it was off to the races, had to keep our momentum on top of the waves. (My heart rate immediately increased) When the wind gusts became so strong the canoe would rock; Greg and I would power stroke across the lake, cutting through the choppy waves until we reached the safety of the calmer waters that hugged the shoreline. There we would remain until we caught our breath, then we headed back out into the madness. Now definitely committed to Optic Lake, I kept looking at all the waves heading toward us and around us. It was overwhelming but, determined we paddled harder. We traveled in a zigzag manner in order to keep the canoe at a 45 degree angle with the waves. Making great time and no turning back, we reached the portage into Optic Lake in 25 min; Greg and I agree it was a cautious decision, we turned up the dial a few notches with that run. Went through 3 portages and we were bound to find a campsite to cook some Kielbasa with Zatarans rice, and a fresh green pepper. There must have been enough food to feed four campers but Greg and I cleaned it all up! Chocolate pudding for desert and we were in the tent by 9:00pm reading, writing and reflecting on the day. Today was a big adventure for Day 3 up in Woodland Caribou. I fell asleep listening to the howling wind, again.

Day Three Done