We awoke to the sound of Trumpeter Swans murmuring in the small bay to our West. Aaron though it was me making low noises, trying to coax him out of his hammock. We gathered our breakfast and coffee and ate on the big rock peninsula that we dubbed "breakfast rock" or something of the like. We didn't need the campfire and packed our own chairs. It didn't seem like a question whether we camp tucked in at the 'kitchen' or down at the water's edge with a view of the sunrise.

After gathering necessary safety gear and food, we packed the Alumacraft canoe for the clockwise trip around The Triangle. Neither of us had paddled much of The Triangle, but our experience told us that barring injury, we should be able to complete the route in a day. The morning was cool, but after the 62 rods into Clear Lake, we were stripping off layers. Clear Lake was calm and held small ducks and the skies lost the few, high clouds that were aloft. The bright sun really brought out the most vivid hues among the trees that were changing.

Our plan included attempting to find the seldom traveled portage to Greenstone Lake. We did manage to find the portage landing and hauled the Aluminum beast ashore. We started off, leaving most everything at the shore edge. Noting there was quite a lot of poison ivy nearby, we cautiously entered the overgrown trail. If it were not autumn with some of the grasses dying, I doubt we would have attempted this portage very far. Once we climbed away from the lake the poison ivy disappeared, unable to grow well under the canopy, I suppose. The climb was exactly that. A CLIMB! We didn't have to scramble. Everything could be navigated on foot alone. I suspect only the strong and/or foolish actually portage gear to Greenstone. Our efforts were rewarded with some fantastic Maples that painted our route to the other side.

Upon our return to the Kawishiwi, we enjoyed what was to become one of Aarons favorite travel meals. A salmon (or tuna) salad with Triscuits and celery. It was a strategic stop before our longest portage with the 70 odd pound Alumacraft. It was a beast of a portage, mostly because of the weight of the canoe. We split the canoe hauling duty at half way. Never again. (well at least not without a kevlar)

At the East end of the portage the world shrunk a bit. Our conversation with the men we encountered led to the discovery that one of the gentleman's mother was my keyboarding teacher in 6th grade.

Aaron and I enjoyed all kinds of topics of conversation as we paddled East and then Southwest. We floated the rapids at the 11 rod portage #662 . Not something I would strongly recommend, but we had the tank, so we risked it. I don't actually recall the next portage, but we floated or lined through that as well. Having made good time, instead of going straight back to base camp, we skipped portage #648 and went three tenths of a mile SW to the campsite #1128. It's not a great site overall and a zero for hammockers.

By 4oclock we had landed back at camp and began our business of prepping food and gathering wood. A condensed raft of driftwood deposited by the spring flooding was the unexpected treasure we found in and behind the low bushes on the shore opposite our camp.

Aaron brought home made smoked pork for our burritos with grilled peppers and onions. Mmm Mmm! Our conversation at the campfire that evening went until true dark. I'm sure we both could have enjoyed it much longer, but the effort of the day on The Triangle sent us to bed. (and the bold mice at our feet may have played into that too).