South Temperance to Sawbill

After the events of the day before we felt like we needed to just get out and get back to our kids. We had planned on taking 2 more days before exiting. We were originally planning to spend a night on Kelly but talked it over and both of us agreed to go for it and do what it took to cover the remaining ground in one day. I wasn't sure my wife was up to that much travel in one day, but she is tough when she needs to be. We were off early. About 7am we were on the water. Honestly the portages up to that point were not that hard but the longest day was day one and that was only 450 rods and today would be about 820 rods. But when you have a little more incentive, you certainly can do more.

The longest portage of the trip was first but it was easy. Completely flat and it was no problem. Today was to be the first day where we would encounter head winds and it sure was breezy. It wasn't until we got to Kelly that the winds became an issue. We were going to paddle with a purpose and I knew we would run low on gas at some point. Then we headed west and once we got to Burnt, the wind was creating mild white caps. Honestly, if it was only my decision we would have stopped. But my wife surprised me by wanting to go for it. It was certainly more wind than I wanted to paddle in, but we rested for 15 minutes and went for it. There was a time or two when I was worried that we could be in trouble, but we both paddled with everything we had and made it through the open water sections. A couple of times when the wind almost had us broadside and I thought we were close to getting blown over. Once the water was right at the edge of the canoe. Again, #1 priority was not to capsize and I felt we were too close.

I thought the worst was on Burnt but Smoke really had me worried. Good thing it is very shallow on the west end. It was windy but the waves weren't bad. By now I knew we were going to make it with time to spare so I had an extra bounce in my step on the portages. The side wind on Sawbill wasn't bad and we made it to the outfitter just after 2 pm. I am proud of the old lady. She isn't a country girl by any means, but she has an edge. She was tough. I'm still not going to take her up a mountain, but she had fun and is willing to go to the BWCA again, despite what we went through.

I know it might have been too windy that day, but my wife was hell bent on getting out. We hugged the shore as much as possible, so I think we did it as safely as possible. I can say nothing but good things about Sawbill Outfitters and it's crew. It is a good operation. Bill was great. He showed me where other micro bursts had hit and got the word out the rangers. They have since cleaned up the sites so I think they are useable again.