Thursday, July 24, 2014 Thursday I am on the water by 6:30. The portage from Caribou to Lizz has no downed trees but the portage from Lizz to Poplar has 2 trees down on the portage. I get to Poplar by 8 and realize I am just not ready to end my trip. Poplar is calm and there are not boats on the lake. I spend the next 2 hours exploring the nooks and crannies of Poplar lake. At Rockwood Outfitters they lost 4 trees and they tell me about the people that had to be rescued. Then they tell me my husband called and asked about the Jeep. Then they laughed and said he also wanted to know if I was ok! I packed up and headed to Grand Marais. I parked on the Gunflint Trail where I could get cell service and called my husband. He is happy I am fine. I love the fact that my husband has no trouble with me solo tripping. I don't think he gets it but he knows how important it is for me. I feel blessed. My coworker calls me after my husband posts that I made it out ok. Apparently a woman from Minneapolis had to be rescued. They thought it might have been me. My coworkers were worried. Gee that makes me feel loved!

Phase 2 of my awesome vacation starts now. The Grand Marais Dragon Boat Festival. I got to the municipal campground early in the afternoon, set up camp, took a hot shower, met with my dragon boat co captain and then off to Sven and Ole's for pizza. Later a few of my dragon boat team members and I went to the Raven’s nest to listen to live music and have a beer. The beer never tasted so good.