Monday, October 10, 2005

Last Day. We need to get up and get packed so Satch and Jim can get a good amount of time to drive home or part way home. We awake early and have oatmeal and breakfast bars for breakfast. This gives our tents a little time to dry-not sure it really helped as it is really damp out this morning. The sunrise is spectacular, the beaver’s are busy as usual, and we are both sad and excited to be headed home.

We get packed up and the wet tents make them hard to pack and fit into their stuff sacks. The packs are fuller as a result but at least the food packs are really light. Jim and I brought barrels for the food. Jim has a 5-gallon bucket with a gamma seal and I have my Garcia barrel. Jims has more volume. We did have to hang a little the first night as Satch had some food that would not fit. One small ditty bag thrown up over a limb did the trick.

After checking to make sure we have everything we hit the water for the short paddle back to the portage to Round Lake. Satch and I will trade a pack for a canoe along the portage so he does not have to have his hands above his head. I go across with my food pack and canoe while Satch brings his Duluth Pack across. The portage is simple enough as it is mostly down hill going this way. I head back and get Satch’s small pack and his canoe. The canoe is a bit heavier than my Prism but not too bad. Satch loves the feel of my CCS pack compared to his Duluth Pack. The second half of the journey is completed.

We load our respective canoes and wait for Jim to finish. Satch asks if I would like to paddle the stripper as we wait. I suggest we switch canoes until we reach the EP and we just paddle each other’s canoes across. We both agree this would be a good idea.

I get into Satch’s canoe, and he gets in the Prism, and we head out onto Round lake and wait for Jim to finish the portage and join us. I enjoy paddling the stripper. She is responsive and paddles easily. I feel the Prism tracks better but the stripper turns more easily. I do not sense any stability issues compared to the Prism, I am very comfortable paddling her. Thanks for the opportunity Satch!

We make our way across Round not being in a hurry. Jim is first across and he gets out and puts his gear and canoe on shore. Satch is next and I am last. It is sad to be out, but we know we will soon be reunited with our family and have stories to tell friends. I head up to the car and put my canoe racks on and drive the Yukon down closer to the landing. I still find it hard to believe that we were in the woods for 4 days and 3 nights and did not see another person for the entire time-and we were only one lake into the wilderness! October travel has its advantages if you can deal with the weather extremes.

I get my gear into the back of the Yukon and I take my wet tent out and lay it across the back so it can start drying. I will set it up when I get home but for now the sun and air of the truck will start the process.

I change into my sandals and fresh socks and go down to the water for a quick sponge bath. Jim has some extra baby wipes I can use and before long I feel almost springtime fresh-even though it is October. Clean clothes, a quick wash and I feel 100% better. Still not happy to be leaving but I feel good.

Jim and Satch and I double-check the canoes and we are ready to go. I grab a couple extra paper permits as my old supply is in my old Suburban, which is in Texas with Dan-my son in the Army. It’s always good to have a couple permits handy for day trips in case the box is empty. Yes it has happened to me once-but hopefully never again.

We head down Gunflint trail in the sunny and 50 degree conditions and we see our first people since Friday. We all decided before we left that we would stop at Trail Center for lunch as none of us have ever been, but we all have heard good things about it. Monday afternoon at 11:45 we arrive and the place is filling up. Before we leave there will be people waiting for tables.

We all order malts, Satch and I order burgers and Jim has a tuna salad sandwich. All meals are good and have big portions. Good thing I am hungry as any other time I would have needed a bag to take home the leftovers. The malts are great by the way.

Just before we are to leave Jim is commenting about the malts and how it is the best one since he used to get them at a small town dairy near his house years ago. An older gentleman up for the leaves and wildlife overhears Jim and says he is from that town. Turns out Jim and him are neighbors and they talk about the area for a few minutes. We settle up our bill and head out for our trip home.

Jim is going to make a few stops along the North Shore for pictures while Satch and I are going to head home as aggressively as we can. Satch follows me to I-35 in Duluth where he heads across the I-535 Bridge to US 53 in Wisconsin for his trip home. I head south on 35 to my home where I will arrive about 6 pm in time for dinner.

This was a great trip and once again it was great even though we had to change plans having one fewer than originally thought and Satch’s situation. I can proudly say I have never exactly followed a trip plan to date. It is nice to travel and be able change plans as necessary. I wish Nibi would have been able to join us-that was one part of the plan we hated to change.

Thanks Jim and Brooks for a great trip. Until next October when the 4 solos will ride again.