Thursday, August 15, 2024 Got up around 6, and poked my head out. Kind of gloomy(since it was still early)and definitely cloudy. Got all the way out and went down to the shore. Yep, it was cloudy. I made a cup of tea, and got the weather on the radio. Yep, rain on the way. Went and got the bear vaults, put 'em by the canoe, and went back into the tent. Rolling up the sleeping bag and the tent took a little longer than normal cause no kneeling. But I got everything into the packs, and into the canoe. Backed out and started for the EP. Started to feel a couple of rain drops on the way, but nothing more. I landed, and grabbed the portage pack and headed to the truck. When I got back to the landing, the people who were on the southernmost site pulled up. We chit-chatted a bit, and I let them go first and checked out the stream that flows along the trail. With the high water in Slim, it was running much faster than last year. Put on my other pack, tipped the canoe up and got under it and headed to the truck. They had left by the time I got there, and I left soon after. When I reached the road and pulled out, I noticed that the stream from Slim was going into Burntside, something I did not know before. Got into Ely, went to Cliff Wolds and returned the paddle and yoke. I left the canoe at Slim, Ryan has let me do this for 3 or 4 years. He has even dropped it off at the EP the night before I go in. Went next door and topped off the tank, got a 1/2 dozen bismarks(it's a long drive). I pointed the truck in a southerly direction and headed home. It started raining about 5 minutes later, and rained off and on 'til I hit 35. I chose wisely. So that's it. I don't know when I will be back. Hopefully next year, but that will depend on my health(I have another issue that has come up)and how well I can sweet talk my wife.