Saturday, June 10, 2017

Today starts out a little cool, but sunny. After a pancake breakfast, we head out with hopes of reaching Paulson Lake. We'd had an epic adventure there a couple years back and we're hoping to recapture some of that magic. Of course, while not nearly as grueling as the long portage in from Sea Gull, the 4 shorter portages we cross all have steep sections and are somewhat overgrown. Interestingly, I notice small red shavings (presumably from a royalex/plastic canoe) on all these paths. Eventually we do emerge out on Paulson Lake. It's as beautiful as we remember, although the fishing isn't as fast and furious. Having worked our way to the long portage, we decide to get out and stretch our legs a bit. There are some nice overlooks here as well as the quaint little creek tumbling down it's first drop on it's multifaceted course to Sea Gull Lake. Back in the canoe, we circle around the large island and pull up to the campsite there. The site appears unchanged but, what we do notice is some ominous looking clouds beginning to move in. Cutting our visit short, we hastily paddle back to Bingshick. On the way back, the blooming bog laurel in the narrow channel leading into Glee Lake provide a colorful contrast to the ever darkening skies.

By the time we reach Bingshick Lake the waves are becoming quite pushy. Fortunately for us, the wind is blowing in the right direction and we get a mostly free ride down the lake. Back in camp, we marvel at the ever increasing whitecaps rolling down the lake. Finally the skies let loose with rain and hail! Thankfully, the mostly dead trees I used to secure the CCS tarp hold and, we stay dry. The high wind persists for awhile after the storm passes but, it brings with it sunny skies. Aurora tries swimming but, our shoreline isn't the best and she quickly retreats. Later in the evening, once the wind has died down, we all take turns lounging in the hammock. It's a quiet, peaceful evening of sitting around enjoying the bounty of all our processed firewood.