Monday morning, our canoe was waiting down by Poplar lake at 7 as promised. We recognize the challenges renting gear and canoes for outfitters, so we always wet load/unload and take very good care. Since Carl was around to observe, we make sure we are standing in 3 feet of water to start and end our trip!

The 1/2 mile paddle to EP 49 was uneventful, however, we knew the 320 rod double portage would require our best effort. James took the heavy duluth pack and the kevlar canoe to Skipper. I grabbed the lighter duluth pack, paddles and fishing poles. Our 30 year difference clearly showed as he was already about 80 rods back for 2nd load when we met on the trail. Nothing finer than having a pack mule as your partner. We met a couple of gentlemen at the Skipper portage who frequently day fish the lake. We talked walleye, bass, and northern and received a few tips.

Onward to Little Rush. Water was high, so we decided to navigate the connecting stream to avoid the portage. We carefully glided thru the tall grass and appeared on Little Rush without incident. Arrived at the Rush Lake portage in good time. The 60 rod hike to Rush was pretty nice for me. The pack mule never complained.

Paddling into Rush, we encountered a group fishing on the east end. They occupied the first site. We decided to head west and, if need be, head to Banadad. Rush is a gorgeous lake with higher cliffs as you head west. As we approached the western most campsite, it was available. James hopped out and declared it our base camp. The fire grate is sitting on the rock face closest to the lake. A nice tent pad without any suspect trees and a flat spot above the canoe landing was chosen for our rain tarp, kitchen, and camp chairs.

We did not pack water, so making water was the first need. A couple of years back, James rigged up a double filter system to our water bag - one that is easily back washed with a syringe. Made a couple of gallons for immediate consumption, then began to set up camp.

Bear bag, tent, rain tarp, chairs, stove, etc. were all in the right spot. The latrine trail took you through a couple of swampy areas with dead logs to walk on. No matter how you did it, it was wet footing each use. Kind of grew on us. Someone had left a branch that appeared to be a cane standing next to a tree - and happily, I report, the cane/me never once fell off a wet log!

Over the years, we decided base camping with creature comforts was more important than packing light. Nothing like a nice living room view on a heavy duty camp chair with a portable table to play a few rounds of cribbage.

We've also dramatically improved our cuisine. This year, we had 5 homemade dehydrated meals - two beef/bean burrito, 1 chicken stew, 2 asian noodle/rice chicken/beef meals (complete with Ellie's special spice and sauce blends). Campfire pizzas never made it out of the food bag. And, as always, we hope for a Friday night fish fry.

After dinner, we enjoyed the view, set up fishing poles, and plotted our strategy to catch fish. Mosquitoes chased us in the tent around sunset. Sleeping in the BWCA is a surreal experience for us. Slept like little babies. "Meps #3, 4 or 5" - James