Back From the B-dub

Well I made it back from da woods without incident, spiritually renewed and physically whole. It was a success in every way despite the slow walleye fishing. I made it to Ely in 11 hours flat which is a personal best averaging 56.36mph, the Ranger was purrin' and Jimmy LaFave was singin' in my ear the entire way. I checked in at LaTourell's on Moose Lake and finalized arrangements for them to haul me out to Indian Portage. I settled into the bunkhouse and did some repacking and went to sleep as I had to head out at 7:00a.m. I awoke at midnight to the din of a massive thunderstorm, a real toad stranglin' gully washer. I fretted fot an hour or so 'cuz it sounded like it would rain heavily into the next morning, meaning I'd be paddlin' into a steady rain and setting up camp in rotten conditions. As usual all my worrying was for naught, it was cloudy and breezy when Jeff( tow boat guy) and I left. While riding in the tow boat I just scanned the shore line and smiled, this is my home. I always have this odd feeling when I'm left alone with my gear at the portage and watch the tow boat disappear around the point into Sucker Lake. I'm not ashamed to say I become a bit teary eyed for a moment. I then realize I'm totally alone in the wilderness with no contact to the mechanized world, completely cut off from family and friends and medical help should I need it, God forbid. If you're appendix goes on the fritz you die, if you have a heart attack you die, etc. But that's just stinkin' thinkin' so I focus on the task at hand of hauling all my gear and canoe(Winnie) over the portage, pack the canoe,paddle out and find a nice campsite. I luck out, my favorite site is vacant so I beach Winnie and set up the tent, dining fly and kitchen. More later.