High Temperature: 83

Low Temperature: 47

Barometric Pressure: 30.13

Relative Humidity 7AM: 79%

9 AM Temperature: 53

Moisture: 0

Route: Baker Lake to South Temperance Lake

Baker Lake

Portage 10 rods

Peterson Lake

Liftover Portage

Kelly Lake

Portage 65 rods

Jack Lake

Portage 12 rods

Weird Lake

Portage 80 rods

Temperance River

Portage 240 Rods

South Temperance Lake

Despite the prolonged serenade of my neighbors, I’m up at 5:30. I thought of making a lot of noise, but they never would have heard it and it would have only bothered the other quiet neighbors.

Jim and I had a leisurely breakfast and packed up our stuff. I don’t really know what we did that used up so much time, but we didn’t actually push off until 8:30 a.m. We rounded the bend on Baker Lake, right where the BWCA officially begins, and there was a doe feeding in the water to greet us.

We met a group on the Baker Lake portage coming in. We exchanged greetings. These were the last people we’d see or talk to until Tuesday afternoon.

Jim Portaging

We didn’t push hard but still it was sometimes hot. I’m not saying that the Sawbill Weather History is wrong, but it sure felt hotter than 80.

We checked most of the campsites along the way on our leisurely paddle. I pointed to the fire grate at one Kelly site and said, “There’s something you don’t usually see on a hot day like this.”  The fire grate was full of ice, presumably from the group we saw on the Baker Lake portage. At least we knew the fire was out!

Made it to South Temperance at 4:30 and found a campsite at 5:00. I believe we were the only ones on the lake.

South Temperance Campsite

I was beat! The lack of sleep from the night before, the physical exertion, and the heat had tuckered me out.

Jim cooked (as he always did during this entire trip) -- chicken and noodles. Jim used one of those Lipton side dishes spiked with a foil pack of chicken. Mmmmm … Good!

I set up my trapezoid tarp. I don’t like it. There is hardly any coverage beneath it. What’s up with that?! I’m going back to my rectangular tarp.

Jury is out on my tent -- Eureka Spitfire.  It is not freestanding. I’ve got it set up at this campsite, but I don’t know how well I’ll be able to do it at the others. I’m prepared to anchor it with rocks or tie off to trees. Furthermore, it is a solo tent. It is big enough to sleep in, but that is about it. Not much room to dress, etc. I’ll know by the end of this trip.