Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

27 day solo
by minnmike

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 09/17/2018
Entry Point: Moose/Portage River (north) (EP 16)
Exit Point: Kawishiwi Lake (EP 37)  
Number of Days: 27
Group Size: 1
Day 2 of 27
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Set alarm for 6am but was sprinkling out so slept in until 7:30 when it stopped. It was a cloudy, cool and calm morning. I could see my breath for the first time since last spring so must have been in the low to mid 40's. The fog was rolling south slowly down boulder bay while I ate breakfast and packed up. All my breakfasts for the entire trip will be fast and easy. Coffee with some coconut oil in it and a few tablespoons of nut butter(almond or peanut) to eat. Also I can add a piece of beef jerky if I want. This may not sound very yummy but it works for me. I like it, It's quick, and high in fat so I get a lot of energy out of it and don't get hungry again right away. Plus I'm really not a big breakfast guy. I took my time packing and enjoying the view and hit the water at 10am. Heading north first and rounding the corner turning east on Lac La Croix it started drizzling again and as I passed Tiger bay I saw my first loon of the trip which appeared to already have it's fall/winter plumage. I hit the 80r Bottle Portage and met 3 guys in solo canoes doing the long race from Rainy to Grand Portage while there. I briefly talked to one of the guys on my way back for my second load and he said that they were behind schedule do to wind and other issues. Not sure what was up, but they didn't seem real happy or chatty so I grabbed my gear and finished the portage. The Bottle lake end was a muddy flat that was not very fun. Water levels very down in this area at least a couple feet from summer norms and it was very rocky through the narrows and onto Iron lake. Iron lake went by in a blur and I did the 118 rod portage to Curtain Falls, which was a trickle compared to the last time I was here. Ate lunch and relaxed at the falls for 20-30 minutes. The drizzle had stopped before curtain falls and as I hit Crooked it was a mild, cloudy day. As I was entering Friday Bay I noticed something moving around on a little rock island that was between the west bank and the big island on the north side of Friday bay. Normally only birds were seen on these rocks in the water, but as I paddled up it was a pine marten. I watched him for quite a while and got a couple short videos of him. I decides to camp at the site thats facing south on the island in north Friday bay near there. It in thick cedar with a nice view of Friday bay. The sun came out for the first time this trip at 6:30pm and it was clear the rest of the evening. Had a nice fire and stayed up until 10 star gazing. I had thoughts of home and being lonely, but decided I was not going to do that on this trip and instead focus on the here and now. Enjoy this now, for I had planned long and hard to be able to do this. That I had prepared things at home as best I could so I wouldn't have to worry and now I had to trust all is well there. Immediately I felt such gratitude and that I have an awesome, understanding wife, the time and the courage to attempt such a trip. I was where I belonged. A lot of this I owe to the people in the solo forum who have been doing these solos for a long time and are nice enough to share what they have learned. It has really helped me prepared in every way for this and I thank all you guys for helping me!