Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

brule and the art of compromise
by dogwoodgirl

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 08/12/2008
Entry & Exit Point: Brule Lake (EP 41)
Number of Days: 6
Group Size: 3
Trip Introduction:
Hubby and I went wanting to travel far, son wanted to base camp, the trip that follows is how it worked out.
Day 1 of 6
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 Day 1: Somehow the rest of my paddling partners all have to work until 10 p.m. the night before we leave, so it’s up to me to get the packs loaded and the canoe on the car for an early morning start. One of our group had hernia surgery 2 weeks ago, and his surgeon said absolutely no way to a canoe trip. Sigh. So, what was to have been a group of 4 with 2 canoes has been winnowed down to 3 and our trusty beast, the Alumacraft monster. She’ll hold 3 with our gear, but it’s not the optimal situation. Still, it’s better to go than not, right?

Everything is packed, the rack is set up, but how to get this beastly canoe up there? I used to be able to muscle it up there alone, but creeping up on 50 has me not quite as sure of my abilities. Finally I say Screw it! , and turn her sideways on the rack out in the yard, grab her by the gunnels, and power- lift that sucker onto my shoulders. YES!!! In no time, the canoe is secured to the car, and my ego is stoked to the max!

We all crawl into bed by midnight, set the alarm for some ungodly hour, and try to fall asleep.