As dawn came on our final morning the nice sunny weather and beautiful setting had us thinking that maybe, just maybe, just one more day in the BWCA would be worth a change of plans. But civilization and obligations at home were also calling and after a few days on the trail a hot shower at the outfitter's sounded pretty darn good as well. So after quickly dispensing with those thoughts we proceeded with an instant oatmeal breakfast and the striking of camp before getting packed up for our final paddle of the trip.

This morning the waters of Seagull Lake were flat as glass and made for an awesome paddle out, beautifully reflecting the shore on the surface. In just after an hour of paddling we were pulling up to our outfitter's dock. After getting cleaned up and loaded up it was now time to gently move Jeff's Jeep back down the road toward Grand Marais. Thankfully, as I followed him down the Gunflint Trail, everything seemed to be going well. When we got to Grand Marais, we found that nobody would even be able to look at the Jeep for two weeks! So, after a celebratory burger and beer lunch at My Sisters Place in Grand Marais (boy, did THAT hit the spot!), we decided to take our chances with the Jeep to Two Harbors. All of the way there it continued to do well so we then decided to just continue on home to St. Cloud where we were grateful to arrive in the early evening with no further issues.

After dozens of trips to the BWCA, I can honestly say that I've enjoyed every one of them with great people and great experiences. However, I can also honestly say that no other group gelled and connected like we did on this trip. I've never laughed more and I've never bonded with new friends closer. I would travel with any one of them again (would they travel with me?????).

It's these kinds of trips and these types of BWCA experiences that always have me eagerly awaiting "next time"!