I got the itch to do a solo trip after my son and I paddled Hunter Island in 2013. I was set to do it in 2014, but I invited a friend in my adult Sunday school class and the adopted son of another friend to go on a trip; that trip deserves a trip report itself. My wife and I went on a trip on Moose River in September of 2014 and that trip determined the destination of my solo. My initial solo destination was a recreation of my first trip ever which was into Quetico on Agnes. I decided that my idea was too ambitious for my first solo. I so enjoyed the area of the trip with my wife that I decided to trip in that area. I started reading some trip reports and decided that a loop was the thing to do. There were some reports on the Moose River, Nina Moose, Nina Moose River, Agnes, Oyster River, Oyster, Rocky, Green, Ge-be-on-e- quet, Ge-be-on-e-quet Creek, Pocket, Finger, Pocket, Pocket Creek, Lac La Croix, Agnes, and on back to the start. The side trip over to Finger was based on some reports of good fishing. I also decided to go and see the pictographs on North Hegman on the way back to Ely. September became my time period because I enjoyed that time on the trip with my wife. I spent the summer dreaming, planning, and training for my trip. I checked my equipment and got a few new pieces for my trip. I didn't NEED anything, but I always read the Gear forum and picked up a couple of ideas and I am glad I did. I pickup up one of the made for Bell carbon paddles (ZRE recreation model,I think) that were put on ebay, I am glad I did that. I have Puddicombe paddles, but after using the carbon they felt like logs. Training consisted of my normal jogging, biking, and swimming routine. I did add some weight lifting but not much, I just don’t enjoy lifting. I did take my Magic out and paddle some. As my depart day approached I got equipment and food brained. Essentially I keep over thinking and taking stuff out and putting stuff back. Needless to say, I brought too much equipment and food. Learning for me is always an adventure. I had read the first solo advise threads and paid attention to them, in theory. I learned a lot. The Drive – It’s a long haul from Cincinnati. I divided my drive into 2 days. I stopped at Spooner, WI and breakfasted in Trego at the Prime Bar and Restaurant. I then had a 3.5 hr drive to Ely and a date at the Moose with a walleye sandwich. I spent the rest of the day checking on odds and ends, learning to work the Delorme InReach, visiting the farmers market, and anticipating my trip. One of the last things I decided to do was to put fresh batteries in my headlight. When I opened the light I discovered that the old batteries had leaked, the light still worked, so new AAA batteries went on my last minute list.