Monday, July 31, 2023 This morning we enjoyed several cups of coffee. Had some PBJ tortillas for breakfast. Dried and cleaned all the gear before packing and honestly cannot remember what time we even left. There was zero hurry to get back as we had another bunkhouse rental at VNO.

The lakes were small and once we finished the steep climb on the portage between Sandpit and Mudro the trip was all but over. A quick paddle across Mudro and soon our feet found asphalt which is always a bit of a weird feeling after being in the bush for 7 days. We unpacked the canoe and loaded the truck and before we knew it we were headed to town.

Upon arriving in Ely VNO unloaded our canoe and graced us with an ice cold beer. We usually get a nice dinner on our exit night but Ely was pretty slow and many of our usual places were not even open so we opted for a pizza delivery and grabbed a few cold beers. Hot showers, cold beer and pizza. Not a bad way to end the trip. Later that evening we had a nice chat with Tanner from VNO. Super cool guy. He's the type of guy you could sit for hours on end just chatting away. Purchased some souvenirs for the wife and kid and soon enough we were headed for the racks.

We left VNO around 3 am headed back to Michigan. A long 14 hour drive but soon enough we pulled into my driveway. Another year, another trip and another great set of memories. I only wished I lived closer so it would be easier to take more trips.

For me the BWCA brings a sense of wonderment, history, adventure but mostly peace. I have been to few places where I could just sit and stare and not be bored. Lost in the beauty, lost in the thoughts of the history that has passed the very ground beneath my feet. There is a sense of freedom and a sense of recovery as if you had been lost and now found. A recharging of the soul. Until next year my friend,

-Bushman