Wednesday, June 25, 2025 I wake up at five—it's very chilly on my last day. I feel like I could keep going, but I know I must head out today. I lie in my tent for at least 15 minutes before I crawl out. Sigurd Olson always wrote about putting your watch away in order to get into the rhythms of the woods. And there was a time I used to do that. Waking up without an alarm, eating when hungry, and going to sleep when tired. All of these events are bound by time in my world. It's five: time to get up. It's noon: it's time to eat lunch. It's 10:00: it's time to go to bed. Today, though, it's nearly impossible not to know what time it is. Every device today has a clock. It's inescapable. I start my morning routine, getting my coffee going as I begin to take down my camp for the last time. While it's definitely cool, the mosquitoes seem not to mind. I start with my sleeping bag, then my tent, and because it doesn't look like rain, I fold up my tarp. The sun begins to rise above the tree line, providing me with some warmth and dispersing the mosquitoes. After having breakfast, I clean up my pots and finish packing the rest of my gear. It's time to go. I inspect my campsite for any trash or other items I may have forgotten and then carry my packs down to my canoe. The lake is calm, which will make for an easy paddle across Oyster. I troll my Purple Tail Dancer as I paddle to the portage. I have a strong desire to stay a few more days, which, to me, means I had a great trip. The portage out of Oyster Lake to Oyster River is one of the prettiest in the BWCA. Towering ancient red pines, white pines, and cedars surround the portage, and I take my time to enjoy being in their presence. The portage is only 70 rods, and once on the river, I encounter four beaver dams that I must cross before even reaching the portage. One option is to portage into Agnes and then head south to the Nina Moose River. The other way is to continue down the Oyster River. The Oyster River begins to narrow after the short 20-rod portage. No fewer than eight beaver dams greet me along the way. As I approach the Nina Moose River, the Oyster River narrows and meanders considerably. It's a tough paddle through the emerging vegetation until I finally reach the Nina Moose River. I pass several groups as I make my way up the river. Generally, this time of year, the current is negligible. I have two portages to cross before making it to Nina Moose Lake. I take a lunch break and continue on until I reach the final portage. As I carry my canoe and food pack up the 180-rod final portage, I notice the portage looks a little "grousy." I shall hunt this portage this fall. (Yes, I did—and I got one grouse!) By the time I've gone back for my gear bag and returned to my car, it is close to 2:00 p.m. I'm hot and exhausted and a little sad that my trip has come to an end. It will be my only overnight trip for the season. I will, though, be doing lots of day trips the rest of the summer and fall. Time to start planning for next year.