Tuesday, January 13, 2026 With a chilly couple of days ahead, Tuesday became “firewood day.” We tackled camp chores and odd jobs but spent most of the day searching for downed trees. We struck it rich with a large cedar, filling the air with the scent of cedar and pine. Exploring the surrounding woods was a delight in the snowy landscape. We spotted tracks that could have been a fox or coyote—but secretly hoped for a tiny wolf. The only other signs of life were a woodpecker, which seemed to have claimed our camp, and Brett, who drilled a couple of ice holes for fishing. No luck with fish, but the journey itself was rewarding. Strong winds made extended time on the ice difficult, and exhaustion led to an early night by the fire. Unfortunately, my chimney was blocked, forcing me to open the tent to let in cold air, knowing the overnight low would hit -7°F. I couldn’t resolve the problem, so I bundled up and watched a movie before bed. Snow and wind kept the day chilly.