After a solid night sleep, I felt ready to tackle our final day in the BWCAW. A beaver had been slapping the water in the bay next to the site during the night, but I never saw one during the day. I did see some beautiful lily pads turning colors as autumn approaches.

Given how much we paddled the day before, we both felt good and not at all sore. We finally got our paddling arms and portaging legs in time for our last day.

We made our way back into Caribou, Lizz, and Poplar and made it back to Rockwood Lodge a around 4pm so we could go straight to our bunkhouse room and take a shower before driving over to Trail Center for a celebratory dinner.... broiled walleye, grilled broccoli, and a glass of wine followed by a piece of berry pie while we tallied up our miles paddled. Delicious!

Grand total 26.53 miles paddled and 632 rods portaged (or 1,897 rods since we double portaged the whole way). It was exactly the adventure I was hoping for. The absolute quiet, away from any car or train or lawnmower sounds and only the occasional airplane, was magical. Now that I know I can do it, I am looking forward to next time. I think my friend is hooked as well. About halfway through the trip he started saying 'when we come back' rather than 'if we come back.'