Up at 5:40. Sleeping in for me this week! Quick paddle to the Newton portage. Its more like a road. Newtons falls are pretty with a nice cliff on one side. Saw my first motor boats on Newton. It is actually a really pretty lake. Made it to the portage/road to Fall lake. 3 motor boats were blocking the portage. Lou barked at them, rude huh Lou? I texted Packsack before I started the portage. I remember Nick mentioning he would be happy to pick me up at the ramp and save me the paddle to the outfitter. The outfitter got back to me and said no problem. Saved me two hours of paddling. Fall lake is pretty big! I was back to the outfitter showered and settled up by 10 AM and on the road to Kansas City. I had been planning this trip for almost a year. Buying gear and planning the route. I love the planning. I outfitted myself with everything except the canoe. This first solo trip exceeded my expectations in all ways. That is rare but I am so glad I took the challenge.

What worked and what I would do different:

- I think I did the food perfectly. Clif bars and instant coffee for breakfast, Clif bar and with jerky and trail mix for lunch. Dehydrated meal for dinner. I split a Mountain Home chicken and rice can into 5 meals in freezer bags. Threw in some ramen packets just in case the fish weren't biting. I was surprised that I just wasn't that hungry all week. I just ate when I started to feel a little warn down. Brought a pint of whiskey and propel drink mix. Perfect for one drink a night and to get back some electrolytes. -I brought a saw and a hatchet. Never used the hatchet. Won't bring it next time. But I didn't cook on fire and having a fire wasn't that important to me. -Rent or buy a real canoe pack. I used an old hiking pack. It was maxed out and straps were busting. Luckily the shoulder straps made it the whole trip. I don't think it will make it another trip. -Leaving the tarp at home. -I brought a 35 degree sleeping bag (saved me 2lbs) and it was fine because the lows never dropped much under 50. I am positive if it were much colder this bag would have been a poor choice. I will bring a 20 or even 0 degree bag next time. I will probably invest in something quality that can pack small. Also, a better sleeping pad. Mine was fine, 1" when inflated but a thicker pad that I can side sleep on would be nice.

Thanks for reading! I hope to have a video edited coming soon to youtube.