Our last morning was one of the most beautiful; with mist rising off the waters of Kawishiwi and brilliant sunlight evaporating it almost as quickly. We paddled across Kawishiwi and beached at the take out point near the Forest Service campground at about 10am.

Now the real key-debacle began. We searched and searched around all the major signs (as was indicated in our note), but we could not find the keys anywhere. All we found was a little glass shooter of tequila. We wandered around the campsites looking for folks who might be heading out, and found a couple who not only offered one of us a ride to Sawbill, but they also plied the rest of our group with their remaining beers! Such wonderful people! So one of us got a ride with them on the hour-long, dirt-road trip to Sawbill Outfitters. He found Bill, who said that he had gotten the note and passed it on to one of his staff; he believed the keys were at Kawishiwi. Bill and my friend managed to jimmy open the car door and indeed, the keys were gone! So, Bill drove my friend another hour back to Kawishiwi. Upon arriving, Bill started to look for the keys and in a matter of seconds he found them five yards into the woods behind a sign and tucked under a piece of birch bark. Incredible! Now we had both sets of keys. Three of us rode back with Bill to retrieve our other car, while my girlfriend and I unpacked and sorted the gear. Our friends in Bill’s car offered to pay him his normal rate for the taxi, but he wouldn’t take it. We are sooo grateful to Bill and the rest of Sawbill Outfitters, we hadn’t even rented gear from them!

By the time our cars were both back at Kawishiwi and we had backed everything up, it was near 4pm. Let this be a warning to all paddlers who attempt a fancy car operation to escape a small pickup or drop-off fare.

Overall, this trip had the best weather, best fishing, and best scenery of the three that I have taken. I can’t wait to get back to the BWCA, and now that I’ve finished this report, I can begin planning for the next trip!