We left early while we could still see stars but knew we could make a lazy 10-20 minute paddle before we would reach TCM portage. We hit Horse Lake rather early by a calm breeze and ever thankful we left early. It was one of those days in which we knew the wind was going to blow. The Horse River paddled quickly. My sons were itching to fish more than ever before and for the first time in my life I said, “what the heck, why not.” So the boys fished the just beyond the last portage on the Horse River. Let me just it must be a spring spot. They caught one snake northern and one 7” SMB. We got it out of their system.  Later the boys kept thinking maybe the fishing break was not such a great idea. By the time we hit the Narrows of Crooked we were dealing with intense wind gusts. They battled through it until it came to crossing Thursday Bay. The travel would have been difficult for two men at that point. In addition to the wind we had off and on rain most of the travel day. The boys had moments when they doubted we could reach Friday Bay and even discussed finding an alternative sites. Yet big hearts and the drive to reach Friday Bay campsite prevailed. They were exhausted when we made it to Friday Bay but we made it.