We arrived in Ely, along with a steady supply of rain. Driving in on 169 to Ely from the west was through a nearly continuous heavy rain. Even putting in the Johnny Cash compilation CD didn't seem to lift the mood much. I thought that once we were that close to Ely the miles would fly by, but that stretch of road seemed to go on forever, like there was no end to it. Finally we arrive, get checked into our room at CCO, and they confirm that the weather report for the week has lots of rain in it. The good news is that the prediction for tomorrow, our traveling and camp set-up day, is supposed to be partly sunny. As has become our custom we have a pizza dinner at Sir G's, but they bring us pizza soup instead of a pizza you can hold with your hands. We literally resort to eating it with a knife and fork. Very disappointing. Over dinner we discuss our plan, which is to cross Snowbank early before the winds pick up, and reach the portage to Disappointment which we plan to basecamp on. We are a little concerned about finding a good site; since the lake is so close to a popular entry point we are afraid that all the good sites will be taken.