Wednesday, June 18

Sue and Maurice arrived at 6; swung by to see the impressive 12" thick walls of the lake home, then hit the road at 6:20. Stopped for gas in Duluth just before 8 after braving "rush-hour" traffic. Watched the movie at the Tofte Ranger Station at 9:50; back on the road at 10. Launched the canoes at 11:20 into Sawbill Lake (after Sue and Maurice got their rental canoe from the outfitters) and at 1 arrived at the same Alton Lake campsite that Ron and Darlene has stayed at last year. Ron and Darlene reclaimed the same tent site as last year; Grant and Kathy claimed the area with the cross-breeze closest to the point; while Sue and Maurice ("the Rookies") got what was left.

Had steak and wine feast an hour later; Ron and Darlene and Grant and Kathy rested while Sue and Maurice paddled around and then gathered more wood. Later, Ron and Darlene and Grant and Kathy went out fishing and Ron got a nice walleye. Snacks around the campfire before bed at 11.

Darlene’s Wildlife Tip of the Day: The Tiger Swallow Tail (that’s a butterfly, NOT a bird) likes to be around humans. We personally saw several while doing the only portage of the day and there were ½ dozen that stayed with us at the campsite all week.

Ron’s Wilderness Tip of the Day: When returning from the BWCA, immediately make 3 piles: (1) On the right, all of the items used; (2) On the left, all of the items not used; (3) In the middle, things just used once (the "Leave-it-right-there" pile).

Thursday, June 19

Sue and Maurice up at the crack of dawn and went fishing in their canoe; rest of us slept in till 8. Bacon and eggs breakfast, done by 10:30. While Ron and Darlene fished, rest of us sat around the fire and relaxed. Chili and mashed pots for dinner at 4. Ron and Darlene back out fishing while the rest of us contemplated the fire and observed which wood burned the best.

Darlene’s Wildlife Tip of the Day: The bird that says: "Teacher, Teacher, Teacher" is the Oven Bird.

Ron’s Wilderness Tip of the Day: When trying to get the best fire, the coals should be poplar; save those amazing cedar strips for heat.

Grant thought the best quote for the day was Darlene’s observation that: "Every day above ground is a good day."

Rained at 4 in the morning. By the time Grant and Kathy were up at 8, Sue and Maurice had already gotten the water and the pancake breakfast was already in production by Ron and Darlene. Sun out after both Kathy and Sue washed their hair. Grant and Kathy fishing out on the "ledge;" Sue and Maurice accompanied Ron and Darlene to the South side of the lake to check out that portage. Lazed around all afternoon and the snacks evolved into the beef-and-rice dinner. Conversation centered around Civil War battles and how and why ancestors came over and the effect of technology on lives. Sue and Maurice went out for a moonlight canoe ride after everyone else went to bed.

Question of the day: What’s a "portorized mortage"?

Darlene’s Wildlife Tip of the Day: The little brown bird that hovered around camp scrounging food bits is called a "titmouse." (The titmouse is related to the nuthatch but has a longer tail.)

Ron’s Wilderness Tip of the Day: When gathering firewood, look for beaver-cut strips along the edge of the shoreline. These are the perfect size for the campfire and so there’s no need to cut them up.

Saturday, June 21

Maurice woke up the rest of the camp before 7 by ringing bells outside the tents. Had oatmeal and granola bars (except for Grant, who ate his final ration of pop tarts), then broke camp 90 minutes later. Went North to the Kelso Lake portage, and then over the Kelso River for the 2^nd portage of the day into Sawbill. Pulled out at 11:44 and reached the DQ in Silver Bay an hour later. Horrible service, so Ron swore to never again stop at this particular DQ. After getting gas in Cloquet, stopped at the DQ down the road to check it out. Arrived at Ron and Darlene’s a little after 4; Grant and Kathy pulled up to their driveway at 9.