db,
Thanks for all the practical advice.  I'm not big on cheesecake, but if a Dairy Queen peanut butter cup Blizzard would survive a week, I'd pack a few of those.

Thanks for the advice on 50 degree soda.  That's what my brother ended up with last time.  Maybe I'll just stick to the Powerade.

And the wet towel is probably the best advice - thanks.

We're going to pack in hot dogs and brats for the first supper, and frozen steaks for the second or third night.  Add to that 6 or so 20 ounce bottles of Powerade frozen solid, maybe some cheese, jelly, and other smaller things, and I think my 5 gallon bucket if full.    It just seems to make more sense to pack all the cold stuff together, rather than in 4 or 5 separate packs.  The advantage of a 5 gallon bucket is it seals tight and rodents and coons shouldn't get in.  Hopefully it's bear proof too.  And, once it's empty, the 5 gallon bucket makes a nice camp stool.  And yes, all the empty plastic containers will then be packed out - I'm as opposed to littering especially in the BWCA as much as the most die-hard of all of you out there.

Thanks again for the great advice.  And if you happen to be going in or coming out on June 18, and see a 40 year old guy carrying a 5 gallon bucket, stop by and ask me for a cold one (Powerade).

I've heard that cheese doesn't freeze well and that the sealed in was chunks of cheese survive best, especially gouda.