Monday, July 17, 2017 I woke at 5:30 feeling refreshed, but a little sad to be leaving this paradise. After the last of my oatmeal and coffee, I was packed up by 6:30 and shoving off toward Upper Pauness. The lake was still and quiet as I glided up to the first of only 3 portages between me and the entry point. I was back on the water quickly and noticed that every campsite on Upper Pauness was full, there was a solo canoeist at the sight closest to the 8 rod portage to Lower Pauness. I hit the river and this marked only the 2nd time this whole trip that I had to paddle upstream (the other time was Ge-be creek which was much easier and shorter). The Northstar tracked well, even without any weight in the bow and in no time I was paddling up to the 60 rod portage. There were 4 rental We-no-nah's sitting there and a couple of teenage boys staring at me like I was some exotic bird as I coasted up. As I got closer, they snapped out of their gaze and tried to clear some of their gear out of the way. As I hopped out of the canoe, I noticed some huge wolf tracks right by the waters edge and pointed them out to the kids and boy did they come racing over. It was clear to me that this was their first trip to the BW so I struck up some conversation to see where these kids were from and how long they were heading in. It turned out to be a group of 8 with 4 adults from Ohio and they were heading in for a week. I wished them well and thanked them for keeping my canoe from banging the rocks as I unloaded my pack. Then, as I hoisted the canoe over my head to single portage, I got that deer in the headlights look from the kids again... made me feel pretty good. This portage is a beauty, with great views of the cascading water as you travel up or down the trail. Once back on the water, I made quick work of the rest of the river and landed at the EP at 8:30. Do you know what was sitting at the landing? A rental PFD and seatbacker, sitting on a rock. I'm going to get on my soapbox here because I'm a "wear your pfd all the time" guy. I take mine off and zip it to the canoe to portage, but other than that, it is always on if I'm near the water. Yes, it's for safety, but it also leaves me feeling naked whenever it's not on me....so I never leave it behind anywhere. By the time that Ohio group noticed they were missing a pfd, it was either a really long paddle back to get it, or they decide to risk continuing without it which is a safety concern and a ticket concern if they come across a DNR or Forest Service Ranger. I'm sure they turned out just fine, but I've heard enough horror stories involving lack of PFD's to know better. I made it back to the car where I had a luke warm Grain Belt Premium or "Premo" waiting for me. That was the tastiest beer I've had this summer! As I loaded the canoe and got some clean clothes on, I took a moment to have a snack before heading down the road. I made it back home by 2:00 in the afternoon and it sure felt good to see my family again. After a hard night's sleep in my own bed, Tuesday morning I began planning our October trip... see you in a couple months BWCA!~Lower Pauness Lake, Upper Pauness Lake

Lakes Traveled:   Lower Pauness Lake, Upper Pauness Lake,