Friday, August 28, 2026 Exit day today, many mixed feelings. The most notable being exhaustion. Sore muscles and dense fog made for slow moving early on. Calm water helped us make quick work on the short paddle to the portages and then of Lake One as well. Skipping coffee and breakfast didn’t help with the exhaustion either. Tried my luck with some more top water on the way out, fittingly had no luck.

Only 2 hours of paddling got us to our outfitter where we packed up the cars, settled up with Frank at Kawishiwi Lodge (highly recommend staying here if you’re using EP30), bought myself a new hat and sweater, and we were on the road to head back to Minneapolis. Of course we made a pit stop in Ely for some coffee, and then in Cloquet around 11:30 for lunch at Gordy’s Hi-Hat. I’ve been there once before, but this time was an eye-opening experience. Don’t think I’ve ever had a burger taste better than that one did. From there it was a long drive home that felt at least twice as long as the way up did. I’m happy to get home to see my fiancée and dog, but I’m already trying to figure out when the next time I get to go back is. As expected, the trip I’ve been waiting for all year came and went way too quick.