Up early, and after my tea and breakfast, I started tearing down. I wanted to get an early start to avoid any congestion on the portages. Got on the water about 6:30 or so, and headed to the first portage out.

I don't know why, but I had a hard time locating the portages. Map, compass and faulty memory just weren't working for me, and I would like to thank everyone I asked my stupid question of "Do you know where the portage is"? for being so polite. I would have found them eventually, I suppose, but it sure saved time.

Coming off the last portage, I ran into a couple of guys going in. We chit-chatted, I mentioned the fishing and how I had to bushwhack on Monday night. Turned out they were rangers ! So I showed the required papers, and went into a little more detail about the circumstances of my illegal camping. They were pretty nice about it, and basically said you did what you had to do. I didn't get their names, but I do want to thank them for being understanding.

I got to the EP at about 10, pulled ashore and unloaded. I got the cell phone out and was going to call Ryan at Cliff Wolds that I was off the lake and they could come and get the canoe. Well, evidently you have to turn the dang thing off. I thought, for whatever reason, that when you closed it, it would turn itself off. No, you have to press a button. Here I was, checking the time on it by flipping it open, then flipping closed. So off to Ely I went, sans canoe. I need to buy a rack for my pick-up.

Got to town and Ryan told me about the present fire, asked if I was going down Highway 1, which I wasn't, and told me it was closed. I was a little shocked about this news, since my brother-in-law lives in Ely, and I was kind of concerned about him and his wife. So far (as of yesterday) they were fine, but keeping a close eye on developments. Gassed up, and headed for home.

So ends my 1st solo. What did I learn ? Well, I learned that I enjoyed being by myself, and having to rely on myself to get out of any jams I may get myself into. The solitude of being able to sit on a rock, and look over the water and just soak it in, was priceless. I enjoy being with others, but by nature I am quite happy being alone with my my thoughts. I learned that my directional skills need to be worked on, and my planning could be better. I also learned that red squirrels can swim, and that there is a species of bee that is like a bumblebee, but instead of a gold band on its body, it has a cinnamon or rust colored band. And I enjoyed the company of two very unafraid chipmunks at site 1147, who shamelessly took advantage of my distraction to chew a hole in my trail mix bag and eat some. I also learned that solo is a lot of work, maybe because of my age(62), or maybe because it was my first one. All in all though, I won't hesitate to do it again if I have to, and to thoroughly enjoy it, as I did enjoy this.