Making Memories at a Milestone- EP 27 Solo Loop
by naturboy12
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
09/03/2025
Entry & Exit Point:
Snowbank Lake (EP 27)
Number of Days:
7
Group Size:
1
Discuss Trip:
View Discussion Thread (2 messages)
Day 7 of 7
Tuesday, September 09, 2025 On this final morning the wake-up temperatures were actually higher than the best temperatures I had on my first 4 days, spurring the last remaining mosquitoes into action. In order to escape their kamikaze efforts, I was on the glassy waters of Disappointment Lake less than 1 hour after waking up. The only sounds of the morning are my paddle dipping in the water and the canoe gently gliding across the lake. An occasional "quark" from an overhead raven and a final send-off from a loon near the portage into Parent Lake completed my journey through Disappointment.
On the portage to Parent Lake, I'm greeted by the distant hum of a motor boat cruising across nearby Snowbank Lake, a gentle reminder of my impending return to a world of hustle and bustle, where taking time for reflection often means nothing more than a quick glance in the mirror. This quick glance does nothing to address the uncertainties present in an every changing world that I understand less and less with each passing day. This is precisely why I come to the Boundary Waters- to remind myself to slow down, breathe in life deeply, enjoy every last moment and allow much needed reflection and introspection to happen unhindered.
Despite the cold and the wind, this has been one of my most memorable trips to date. Perhaps it was turning 50, starting a new job in the last couple months after 21 years of doing what I truly loved, or seeing my youngest child heading into his senior year of high school. Whatever it was, it all hit me at once as I exited. I was fully overcome with emotions and had to recompose myself before finishing the last leg of my final portage. I had a good solid wilderness cry, something my soul apparently desperately needed and something I am not uncomfortable allowing to happen. The ultimate message shines through afterwards- I can't wait to return home to my family!
Trip distance estimates including double portages, not including fishing and exploring- 48 miles paddling, 24 miles portaging
On the portage to Parent Lake, I'm greeted by the distant hum of a motor boat cruising across nearby Snowbank Lake, a gentle reminder of my impending return to a world of hustle and bustle, where taking time for reflection often means nothing more than a quick glance in the mirror. This quick glance does nothing to address the uncertainties present in an every changing world that I understand less and less with each passing day. This is precisely why I come to the Boundary Waters- to remind myself to slow down, breathe in life deeply, enjoy every last moment and allow much needed reflection and introspection to happen unhindered.
Despite the cold and the wind, this has been one of my most memorable trips to date. Perhaps it was turning 50, starting a new job in the last couple months after 21 years of doing what I truly loved, or seeing my youngest child heading into his senior year of high school. Whatever it was, it all hit me at once as I exited. I was fully overcome with emotions and had to recompose myself before finishing the last leg of my final portage. I had a good solid wilderness cry, something my soul apparently desperately needed and something I am not uncomfortable allowing to happen. The ultimate message shines through afterwards- I can't wait to return home to my family!
Lakes traveled- Disappointment, Parent, Snowbank
Trip distance estimates including double portages, not including fishing and exploring- 48 miles paddling, 24 miles portaging
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