September 14, Day 2: 8 miles, 1 portage of 49 r. Lakes: Vernon and Brule. On the water at 8:15 AM and camped on the west side of Brule Lake at 11:45 AM.

We were up at 6 AM and feeling a good stiff breeze from a NE direction. Both Matthew and I had been apprehensive about Brule Lake. We wanted to get this lake behind us, and today was the day. Are we doing the right thing? We will not know, until we see Brule.

We were on the water at 8:15 for the short, but windy, paddle to the portage. The 55 rods from Vernon to Brule were steep, and our blood was pretty well circulated by the time we assembled our gear on Brule Bay. We shoved off into Brule at exactly 9:15. We could not get a good feel for the wind direction until we entered the main lake near Brule Island. Away from the little bays, we found a brisk and steady NE wind and that would be at our backs. All we needed to do was to hug the north shore.

It is about 8 miles from the NE end of Brule Bay to the west end of Brule. We cleared those miles in 2.5 hours including a snack break along the way. When we hit the larger bays like North and Cone, we paddled north into the bay until the waves looked friendly, and then shot across to the other side. Several times we paused in the lee and watched the south side of Brule. We could actually see white spray thrown into the air as waves crashed against the rocky shore. Brule Lake is a most impressive Lake. The lake is big, and the topography is candy for the eye. The day was not sparkling bright, rather it was misty and rainy, and this added a touch of mystique to our Brule experience.

Pictures show 1) Brule Lake east of Brule Island and 2) Brule Lake near Cone bay
For the distance traveled, this paddle was one of the easiest days we have done. Camp was made on the west side of the island at section 17. With these first two days now under our belt, we could slow the pace. We expected a few trials in the days ahead, but in our minds the worrisome portion of our loop was done.

Section 17 camp was not something to write home about, but it was comfortable. The bays and little islands west of us were very picturesque. But with the wind, we did not explore them. Easy firewood was very scarce, but enough was scrounged up for the night. Towards evening the scattered showers went away, and it was supper time, fire time, and Cognac time (in about that order, give or take a few sips). A big full moon rose behind the trees, night became day, and Brule sparkled like a lady in diamonds.

Pictures show 1)Full moon at section 17 camp Brule Lake and 2) the evening fire watch at camp
Today we saw a number of parties camped on the east end of Brule and encountered about 7 canoes going in the direction opposite of our westerly course.