Woke up cold again at 6 am. My sleeping bag may be on it's last legs ... or I'm just getting old. A nice fire, and then a leisurely morning packing things up, enjoying the sun, and savoring the last few hours of solitude.

The winds were out of the west as I headed back across Pipe. I barely needed to paddle and I was on East Pipe again. The paddle through Homer was also quick as the wind was at my back the whole time. I was back at my car by 1 and home by 7.

These short trips are life-giving to this introvert living in an extroverted world. I'll be back up in a couple weeks with my dad and sons. Lots more travel and movement on that trip planned. Can't wait.

~Pipe Lake, East Pipe Lake, Homer Lake

Lessons from this Trip: 1. Take a lot of comfort gear on short, solo, basecamp trips. It's worth it. 2. Lighten up on food. I don't eat as much as I think when I have to cook. 3. Bring a warmer sleeping bag. 4. Bring more jig heads. 5. New gravity filter is a huge win. Why haven't I got one of these before?! 6. My fillet skills are weak. 7. NF campgrounds are perfect for the night before.