MONDAY MAY 30, 2022

I crawl out to another dreary looking sky early this morning. The promised rain still hasn't arrived but, while the ever changing unique shapes and lines in the clouds currently overhead are mesmerizing to gaze upon, I suspect there will soon be a heavy price to pay for beholding such beauty. I busy myself getting as much packed up as I can before "the hammer drops." Eventually Aurora joins me, and we get everything packed away but the tarp. Soon thereafter, however the skies open up and really let loose with an epic deluge.

Even huddled under the seeming sanctuary of the tarp we still get chilly residual spray from the pounding rain. It continues long enough that I begin to contemplate the wisdom of having packed everything (but the tarp) away. I take solace in the fact that my initial observation of the nice tent pad, down by the lakeshore, is spot on. As water rushes down the slope to form a sizable muddy pool there. About the time I seriously start contemplating various plan B's, the rain lets off as quickly as it started. After giving it a few minutes to be sure, we get the tarp down and load up the Black Pearl. Aurora proudly leaves behind the sheet of birch bark she'd found on our day trip yesterday.

Out on the lake, while paddling conditions are very manageable, I'm still quite leary of a sudden reoccurrence of severe weather. Following the script we had in advance, we choose to take the short portages into Caribou Lake and exit the wilderness through Lizz Lake EP #47. The downstream landing of this first portage is a real bear and there isn't really a good place to stage our gear so, I hope no one else shows up until we can get cleared out. On my way back for my 2nd load, I'm flabbergasted to run across a smiling Aurora bringing our barrel (traditionally the heaviest) pack across. Truly an unexpected heart-warming moment for this Father.

Having been able to get the Black Pearl loaded and on our way without breaking our necks or slipping into the water, we are rewarded with a serene paddle down this lovely narrow creek between portages. I can't help but, think how beautiful this would also be if the tamaracks where sporting their fall plummage. Before I get too deep in those thoughts, we arrive at the second portage which boasts an upstream landing very similar to the upstream landing at the previous portage. While I do make note of several nice cedar trees along this bouldery trail, I soon discover the last few rods are essentially a class II rapids and all my attention is now on safely traversing them. Fortunately there is enough of a reprieve at the end to serve as a small staging area. As Aurora busys herself tormenting the local frogs, I slip and take a tumble bringing my last load across. Thankfully, only my pride is bruised.

There are a couple of ducks resting atop a large boulder just out from the landing. And, we seem to be scaring up any number of waterfowl as we press on further east towards the portage into Lizz Lake. Some rolling thunder is heard in the not too far distance and, we pull off and put our rain jackets on. From our stationary vantage point, a few other groups are seen making a beeline for the portage.

By the time we pull into the spacious landing for the portage to Lizz, most everyone has cleared out. Only the last group grabbing their final load. Rain starts up as we begin the portage; it's only a light mist and, being on a canopied trail, we hardly notice. I'm pleasantly surprised, as I expected this trail to be a completely muddy mess. It certainly is wet but there are no real trouble spots and the newly constructed landing on the Lizz end is most impressive & helpful during this exceedingly high water spring.

The rain lets off but, there are still some faint traces of mist about adding to the ambiance as we paddle Lizz Lake. Our last portage also sports something of a dock, and being well oiled machines by this time, we make quick work of it. Maybe it's just me, but I find the spacious landing on the Poplar end a scenic spot. A group comes across just behind us so, we don't have time to linger. They proceed to follow us all the way back to the public access and wind up helping me get the Black Pearl loaded atop my van.

Short & sweet! While the weather & forecast didn't cooperate throughout, I'm happy we were still able to get out and do some scaled back exploring of the area. It's always fun to spend time with Aurora in canoe country and get to know each other better. Aurora getting a walleye for supper was also another primary objective accomplished. Even with persistent gray skies I thought Meeds was an exceptionally beautiful lake, I wonder how the illumination of some sunshine would have enhanced my assesment? I'm still curious about the old dilapidated bridge we found too. Perhaps an old logging trail??? Maybe someone knows of it's origins/purpose?