Friday, August 25, 2023 That Man Got up to a wet camp. I had to get up during the storm to adjust my tarp. I had it set way to high and the wind was blowing the rain around it. I actually should have known that but I was plenty dry when I set up that way last year in a similar storm. I think I was a lot more protected from the wind last year. Part of the learning curve of hammock camping. With no particular plans for the day, we lazed around. I decided to experiment with the new twig stove I’d just purchased. Last year we ran out of butane and I could only have one small cup of coffee on the last morning. I wasn’t going to let that happen again! The clouds cleared up and it would have been a fine travel day. But we had already committed to staying. It did give the gear an opportunity to dry out from last night’s downpour. I really liked the laid back pace too. Tried some more fishing and didn’t even get a nibble. Then just sat around, read, and looked at maps. We were at decision time. Keep meandering around and guarantee an out’n’back route in the Man Lakes. OR make a push and complete the loop we had looked at in planning. The loop would be up through Bell, Slate, to Saganagons. Then back around down through Lilly Pad, Jasper and Ottertrack. We still had time to do that and Martin really wanted to complete the loop. We also thought it would be nice to see as much as possible. There might be a few long travel days but it was doable. We talked it over and decided we were well rested and would rather see more. Cocktails and another beautiful sunset while we ate the New York steaks. They were bigger than we thought so we only cooked two. Then cut them in half for us four. That left us with another steak meal for tomorrow night. Looked at the maps and figured we’d get to Bell. Off to bed for an early wake up the next morning.