We packed everything into a canoe and paddled into the backcountry for eight days. I turned off my phone and put in a bag - no reception, don't need it. At night, the loons, the milky way, the wolves howling in the not-so-distance. R hung the bear bag before we went to sleep, while I tried not to jump at every rustle. I sleep better now that I have my bear spray in the tent next to me, but those wolves were close : /

I hated every portage as we were doing them, but I loved feeling strong, carrying the canoe from point to point. On the rainiest afternoon, we rigged up a tarp and then flipped over the stand up paddleboard to make a pretty effective poker table and played cards with the kids - teenagers now! - using popcorn kernels for chips. I love to think of doing this trip every year for the next forty(??) years. These days I find comfort in tradition.

9:58 a.m. - 2024-09-05