Saturday, June 17, 2017 We orginally planned on staying 5 days until Sunday, but we thought of coming out a day early to have some time away from the kids back in civilization (thinking dinner and a movie, with a hotel stay in Duluth or Cloquet maybe).
Well, we decided to paddle all the way out today from Iron Lake via the 240 rod portage on the west shore of Iron. My dad and I made it out in one day from Iron before so I knew Sara and I could handle it as well. Two reasons I'm glad we chose to come out today,1. The rain came in sheets today, we'd have just been sitting under the tarp in camp, and 2., Sara saw a mama moose and two babies at the end of the 240 rod portage to the pond west of Iron Lake... amazing. I just missed it because I was about 5 minutes behind on the portage trail, but Sara dug out the camera and took a picture. You can't see the babies in the photo because they're behind the mama, but I must say, I'm envious of my wife. This is the reason I like taking this portage over the Bottle Portage. The three moose swam across the pond and disappeared moments before I came down the trail. What a moment for my wife. We continued on passed the Ranger Cabin on LLC, down the Boulder River (aptly named), into Agnes, then Nina Moose and out at EP 16. Lots of people coming in and out just like us. We made it to the EP at about 2:45, faster than my dad and I did before. Another indication of my wife's awesomeness. I'd go anywhere with that woman. I hope our kids turn out more like her than me because there isn't an adversary she can't overcome. Not that this trip was super tough or anything, but it had its challenges, just like any trip. I'm thankful we had the opportunity. We headed to Ely for some DQ and down to Virginia/Mt. Iron for a movie before getting back to Mounds View around midnight. As usual, I can't wait for my next trip which happens to be my first ever solo up the Little Indian Sioux River North in mid July. Look for that trip report as well. ~Iron Lake, Lac La Croix, Agnes, Lake, Nina Moose Lake

Lakes Traveled:   Iron Lake, Lac La Croix, Agnes, Lake, Nina Moose Lake,