I was awake at 5:30, but Neil slept on. I reflected that I had gone to sleep to the sound of the white-throated sparrow, loons and ducks, and was waking to the same sounds (minus the ducks.) The morning of day six was very foggy, with a cool breeze out of the north. We had a quick breakfast with thunder rolling in the distance and Neil did the dishes while I sat out the storm in the tent. (NOTE: the Oscar Meyer pre-cooked bacon is very good.)

We made the decision not to do the side trip to Frost Lake. I was disappointed, since Frost was a favorite of mine, but I don't think either of us were up to a 140-rod portage at the time, especially with muddy conditions. Because we had already had an extra layover day and we didn't want to give up our time on Cherokee, it seemed like a reasonable decision. There would be other trips, and other opportunities.

A very active thunderstorm went over us about 7 AM and it stormed and rained hard until 8 o'clock, then off and on until 9. At 9:10 I ventured out and saw a small patch of blue sky. Almost immediately there were sprinkles again! After it quit, I took some raindrop photos. The storming was done.

By noon we had bright sun, thousands of flies, 80 degrees and high humidity. We ate our lunch, tied up the packs, and went paddling in Cherokee Creek. This was a very enjoyable paddle along a river-like environment. Just HAD to have a moose! (Nope!) But it did have pitcher plants, big rocks, lots of damselflies and dragonflies, lilies, and a puddle of yellow swallowtails on the portage shore. The water was calm, so reflections were everywhere.

We paddled back past our camp and then headed for another part of the lake, checking out the area near the portage to Sitka Lake. At a campsite near there we saw the worst infestation of the tent caterpillars that we had seen yet! It was enough to turn your stomach! Of course, with the bright sun and warm air, the flies were there to match. It must have been too disgusting for photography--there are no pictures.

There was one loon on our way back to camp, and then I tried to photograph our camp from the water. This was pretty unsuccessful, since the tent site is quite hidden.

Our supper was Backpacker's Pantry Cashew Curry Chicken :-( and Mountain High Cinnamon Apple Crisp :-) . The flies were so annoying we were discussing ending our trip a day early, something that we had never done before. This would be hard to do when we were out here in a quiet place, only seeing two or three canoes a day. But it spoils the camp experience to be swarmed continually, to pick flies out of your food and drink, and to have your tent, life jackets, clothing, etc. spotted with fly poop! Neil did the dishes again tonight. I think he was feeling sorry for me.

Two canoes of people, a family probably, came by in the evening and would have liked our campsite. They weren't as quiet as most people in the wilderness. I hoped they wouldn't camp nearby. We knew that there were many other campsites available on Cherokee, so we didn't worry about them.

I enjoyed the evening on my sitting rock, writing post cards and just reflecting on the beauty of this spot. I believe it is one of my all-time favorite campsites. Coming back here after ten years was a very satisfying experience for me.