Day 3

Morning

Cooler this morning - it rained last night, probably around 4:00 or so. My sleeping pad is defective - I didn't open the valve yesterday morning and when it warmed up, it delaminated a bit. Going to have to call Cabela's about that when I get back.
Tried a couple casts this morning. Nothing yet. Today might be a good day to venture to another lake for a while

Afternoon

The boys all managed to crawl out of bed somewhat early today. I rolled out about 8:15, and the last kid was up by 9:30. They're off swimming at Jasper Lake again, maybe in a little while I'll go for a paddle. We've hit a crucial point in the trip; save for a few bags of animal crackers, the snack food is gone. With two more good days to go. Luckily, I have some GORP and Jerky stashed in my pack that only John and I know about. I may toss the jerky into the food tent - that'll last about 20 minutes at best, but the GORP is mine.
Today has been beautiful so far, not nearly as hot as yesterday, and a fairly constant breeze. Cloud cover is starting to build again so shade is more abundant as well. We've really had good weather so far, witha strong breeze being the worst wind we've had to contend with.
It's a good sign that there is already discussion about what needs to be done when we get back. Not that anyone wants to leave, but we're going to want to be on the water early that morning. We had a group camping on the next island over from us last night; they paddled by us around 9:30 or so this morning. One of the boys remarked after they had passed, "Why would you want to pack up and move every day?" They don't quite get it. I've seen more in one day on previous trips here than these boys have this entire trip so far. Staying in one camp does have it's merits though.
Most of the boys have figured out that they need to pitch in and help rather than be waited on all the time, but a couple have a little ways to go yet. And what the heck do Scouts teach kids these days if they can't make a decent cooking fire?

Bedtime
Turning in early tonight. Weather has shifted, turned colder. Little concerned about a storm tonight, so we're buttoned down pretty good. Hurt my back this evening, so we'll see how this goes. Going to be a cold night.

Day 2

Morning
Slept fairly good last night. Serenaded to sleep by an elk bugling in the distance. Not long after the tents zipped up, I heard a small mouse run through the campsite, scampering across my ground tarp. Not sure what time it is (don't care) but it's already fairly warm - at least the sun is. Breeze off the lake is still cool. Don't know what the plans are for today yet, but it should be a Good Day.

Suppertime
Been a good day so far. Went fishing this afternoon, caught a couple bass - have never caught a bass before. Don't think we're going to have a walleye meal this trip. Can't seem to find them. They boys paddled up to Jasper Lake today, and I took a dip in the lake while they were gone. Water's a little cool in spots, but not bad. Felt good to clean off. I'm enjoying the trip so far, but I'll be glad to get back home. Tonight's dinner was excellent - beef stew and raspberry crumble. Pretty darn good.

Bedtime
Lake is glass smooth tonight. Still no walleye, but had a fantastic evening of stargazing. Gonna sleep good tonight.

Day 1

Evening

Beautiful day! On water early, by probably 9:30-10:00 AM. Was interesting being in the back of a 3-man kevlar canoe. John isn't much of a paddler, and so far seems to be in over his head. But it's his trip. Burned myself with hot water making lunch. Freeze dried meals aren't bad--so far.
The area is a little charred yet. I think remnants of a wildfire here in 2005 or 2006, but there's a lot of dead trees around. Not sure if it's drought or what caused it. From what John says, it was green two years ago, so it wasn't the '99 blowdown.
Made about 4.5-5 miles on the water today, think we're going to stay here for a while.

Bedtime
Not sure what time it is, but it has been a beautiful night. I think it's sinking in to a few of the boys what a special place this is.

This is God's Country.

Welcome!

Well, here we go... trying out this whole blog thing. My main purpose in starting this is to have a place to share my journal from my recent Boundary Waters trip with friends and family. Once it serves that purpose, who knows... Guess only time will tell.