Quetico Solo: Day Two - ©Doug Clark

Day 13
It is a calm and muggy morning as I make a few casts while packing up. At least the camp break didn't take long. I am hoping to get some good photos of the area, but the light and wind do not cooperate... It's a pretty lake. Brings the thought of the "land of the little people". Maybe I offended one of them, and they pushed the canoe out last night.... Saw a pine martin on my last cruise down the lake, and caught my first topwater walleye. Soon I am back on Shelley. Kept a rod out and found a couple more nice fishing spots, but still no good campsites. Shelley has had considerable burn damage, and I guess that most are passing through, but still.... I wouldn't take for granted that there would be an open site between Russell and Kawnipi. When I reached the far side of Have a Smoke portage, it's the scouts.... Yikes. This is a group from Texas who is taking a break after finishing the portage, and are getting ready to head out again. They ask if I am familiar with the area, and would I give them an assist through the Splitrock Falls area. Damn. I was hoping to do some fishing on the way... Oh well, they are a nice bunch, and I'd hate to see them have problems on the upstream approach to the falls. Could be messy. I went first and they landed a safe distance back and portaged a little extra. I lined the canoe down to the top of the falls, and did the shorter portage. Two of them came back over to give me a hand. Thanks guys. Saved me quite a bit of time and energy. They will be laying over at the site below the falls, and are off to make camp. I stayed for lunch at the put-in. One of the leaders was really grateful for the help and left me a couple of smokes. Wow, it's been awhile.

As I am sitting there watching them unload their canoes, I wonder for the first time in the trip how other people see me. I have sensed something from the people I have met on this journey. (I mean more than noticing they stay upwind) I guess if you meet someone who tells you they are in for a 3 week solo, you think "Wow, he must know what he's doing"... Hmmmmm. I'm feeling pretty good about myself as I get up to leave, and decide to show off a little with a power launch. I came up short and almost went face first into the bottom of the canoe. LOL (I don't think anyone saw).

They are hoping for a fish dinner, and while they finish putting camp together, I caught them a good start on it. A last goodbye, and I am on the way down Chatterton. Found another campsite. Not impressive, but may come in handy one day. Still hot and muggy as I make my way over the portage into Russell. It's a good thing I drink alot of fluids, because I really sweated them out today. My stroke as I enter Russell is just not "there". That long paddle yesterday has caught up with me. "My" site is open, and I pull in without hesitation. Weather moving in again. Got things set up nicely in record time. I guess there are advantages to familiar surroundings. There's a major pounding going on just to the south of here. And the way I make it, it's square on top of the scouts. Bummer. Hope they got the fish fry in. All I got was some wind and light rain. Made some coffee and hot soup to enjoy before nighty night.