Boundary Waters

We had an amazing trip to the Boundary waters, along with Paul's family: Craig, Tiffany and Rhonda & Wayne.  Left Friday afternoon and went into the water on Saturday morning after camping overnight at Sawbill outfitters.  Came back to reality Tuesday morning. 

 

 

We had our "last meal" at Bluefin Bay and arrived at the outfitters at 7.  We learned all about our food pack, tying up bear pack and watching the permit video.  Didn't get to our site until close to 9-it was a mad rush to set up our tents.  1st night of sleep was memorable--rained a lot and it took a while to get used to sleeping in tents (paul & I with rhonda, craig & tiff with wayne).  We had breakfast at the outfitters on Saturday and set off for Kawishiwi Lake around 10.  We went through Kawishiwi, Square, Kawaschong and camped 1st night at Lake Polly.  4 known portages and 2 beaver dam obstacles.  PB&J at one portage for lunch and arrived at camp around 3:30.  Set up and had steak, mashed potatoes, peas and mocha mud pie.  It was here that we realized that the outfitters gave us more food than we could eat!  We had to "re-dehydrate" food again as we had too many potatoes and peas (we burned them). 

 

Sunday started at Lake Polly and went down Phoebe river to Hazel Lake where we stopped for lunch.  5 portages before lunch!  Checked out campsite at knight lake and decided to keep going which required another portage.  We had a beautiful place at dead pine resort (our name) at Phoebe lake.  Got to camp around 4 and was able to swim & clean up!  Hamburger, corn and apple betty pie for dinner; eggs, bacon and bagels for breakfast; and thuringer and cheese for lunch (with pb & J).  Probably our longest total along the way for the day.  Craig broke his paddle today trying to get us wet-karma's crazy Craig!!!  But, that meant Tiffany had to use her pseudo paddle that wasn't very long.

 

Monday was wild rice pancakes and applesauce for breakfast and set off around 10.  1 big portage and 3 small to get to Grace Lake.  Thuringer, cheese and PB & J for lunch again.  Then the 285 rod portage (just under a mile)--we did it!!  Got to Beth Lake and then last 148 rod portage to Alton Lake.  We found a nice campsite-a little earlier than day before.  A lot of people swam and cleaned up-Paul worked on his power nap skills.  Had to rush to get the tarp up that night as it started to rain.  It appeared to be in vain as the rain stopped, but we were glad we did it once it poured during diner.  Wild rice/turkey hotdish for dinner. 

 

Tuesday, we had a short canoe ride back to Sawbill outfitters.  We made it!!

 

Everyone was tired and full of blisters by the end of the trip.  Tiffany was the only one without blisters in her crocs!  Wayne & Rhonda packed too much and regretted it the whole time.  I was the girl with the mosquito tatoo and still working on blisters from too much scratching.  Craig was amazing-going back and forth on every protage.  Overall, it was a beautiful weekend and wonderful treasure to get away from it all.  Loved spending quality time with Paul's family too.  The nature was beautiful and I'm happy to report I survived my first camping experience :)