Friday, August 15, 2025

I’m driving for about 4 hours and I arrive in Ely at Voyaguer North Canoe Outfitters. It’s dark, maybe about 930 pm. Someone called my phone a few minutes prior, but it was dark and I was driving for a while, and was so close to Ely I ignored the call. I had a hunch it was the outfitter. It was getting close to 10, and I had reserved a room to layover and pack my stuff. I needed to buy a few things in town early the next morning.

I went inside and they said they had just called me to make sure I was coming. The young man handed me a key and I went upstairs to bunkhouse number 1 and brought my gear and food to pack up.

It’s been sometime since I’ve been to Ely. Years actually. My trip begins tomorrow. I wanted it all organized. I charged my phone, portable weather radio, and made sure Avenza had all her maps, and all my analog directions were in order.

I packed my bear canister and food bag with pulleys and ropes and double checked my supplies. I foolishly put the cheese and summer sausage in the fridge. It didn’t even need to, as it was all unopened and sealed. But sure enough, I did, and I would later regret this.

Time for bed. It was hot in there upon my arrival, but I had got it cool enough to sleep, and that’s where I went. Dreamland.