BWCAW 2008

Had a very nice time with Grandpa Tom, Todd, Max and I. Learned about WIND. Made our own camp after bushwacking using GPS. Todd and I had to play in the 2+ foot waves in 25+ mph winds. Rounding the point was a BREEZE, well a blast. Grandpa Tom really liked it. And we had a fairly tough trip. Max totally rocked and didn't complain at all.

Friday:
Got in. Lake was white out! Deep fog. No visual cues. Got lucky with 3rd campsite open on Caribou. Prayed the it was open! Low and away from lake. 1000's of dragon flies! Turned out good because of severe T-storms away from wind on lake. From technicals this was the worst campsite I've stayed at, but thank God we got it. Got some hail and 3 heavy storms rolled through the evening. But we had tent and tarp up. Heavy rain made a river through our kitchen. ;)

Sat:
Nice morning! Sun and hung by lake sitting on canoe drinking coffee all of us. Nice temps, high 60's, but windy! 30+ winds. Todd and I drifted trolling West on the lake. Caught a 10in smallie. But were moving fast. Paddle back was 1+ hour hard paddle against wind around some nasty points. Should have known to follow wind means later you have to fight it.

Sun:
We are bailing for Clearwater. Went downwind west on caribou to the up down portage. Max did great. Forest service guys seemed concerned with the 'little guy' and the lake we were headed to...
The sheltered bay gave way to the Eastern side of Clearwater in 25 mph winds. Campsite was far\north side of this end of lake. Empty earlier in the day with wind hammering it, Feds though it should be open. I spied the tent once we were in 2 foot waves with x-wind. Max was concerned, but didn't get upset. Maybe some white knuckles? I knew there was no way I was doing a 180 in this wind. Wind pushing us to E shore with big rocks wasn't looking promising. Had to try to land. I jumped out onto the rocks to keep the kevlar from dumping. Max asks "Dad that rock is flat, can I jump to that!!" yep, and I threw the bags up on the ridge as water and wind crushed us. Tom and Todd landed too. We sat on the pine ridge overlooking the water\wind blast. Whew. Now what? Last campsite on lake was around bend. I figure with this wind there had to be someone on it, but... Todd and i hit the water to scope it out. BIG waves = good technique or disaster. Was a nice ride pounding that 180 in the wind and riding the point downwind. ;) Campsite full. I was tempted to land and tell them we were desperate. But Todd and I spied a red pine area somewhat flat next to shore. Camp? Landed the canoe entered the way point and went on hunt over the ridge bushwacking to find Max and Tom. No problem. We all then grabbed packs and hiked through the rough stuff. Max loved it. Then Todd and I hiked back to get other canoe and last packs. Another wild ride. Then made camp. It was windy but comfortable. Prayed again for less wind in AM. Plan first light hit it and head East else stay another day socked in with wind.

Mon:
Slept OK. Was ready as soon as I could see. out of tent at 4am. We had camp down by 5:15 and were heading east. No whitecaps around the point! Nice sunny morning. Paddled hard for 2 hours. At end wind was just starting and I had a tough time once in a while. Landed at entry point and Todd and I paddled on with just the canoe to outfitter. Beautiful day ahead. Did more before 9am than most people do all day. Listened to 'freefore' on way out of woods. ;) Stunning day 60's and SUN. I have never seen it so clear. You could see hundreds of miles to WI from the north shore. Stopped at Temperance. Stopped at Lutsen for $70 lunch on deck. Gondola and alpine slide. Dad kept saying, I got to bring Judy...

Dad and Todd got up the next morning and cruised home to head to afternoon work. We all had a great time. Dad wants to go again. Next trip??!!!