Today’s word: COLOSSAL. 25 miles, 12 hours. 5.5 lake crossings. Mentally and physically draining. We planned to do 11 miles today, but we’re wanting to chip away at what was expected to be a colossal day on Wednesday, and we just kept chipping until the sun started getting low. A wide array of sights today, including our first portage, loads of loons, class 1 rapids, a fall from the kayak, and camping on the beach.

Dave and I got reconnected after the mystical weeds at the end of the 3 mile Bemidji crossing. The weather was warming and the water was crystal clear and smooth as glass.

The loons were one of the highlights of my day. As I approached them, mom and dad alternated some aggressive, possibly profane loon calls. And rather than taking the kids away to safety, they all turned and started coming at me, while continuing to drop loony f-bombs. I kept going my way and eventually they stopped giving chase, and I think they all got together for high fives. Unfortunately, muppet Matt got video, but in slo-mo, doh! otherwise you could’ve heard their impolite aggression. And now the stupid slo-mo vid won’t even upload – so use your imagination.

At the end of Stump Lake we had our first portage, 175 yards around a dam. Unloading everything and getting these big boats on wheels takes some muscle, but Dave and I practiced this a few weeks ago in the Fox River.

The weather was beautiful all day. We saw several bald eagles hunting on the river. And the character of the river changed several times. At times it was too shallow to paddle, so we got out and strolled. Sometimes it was deep and ominous, and I kept expecting the creature from the black lagoon. The rapids were kind of fun (though I imagine they’re more exciting in the spring). But later the day was chock full of lake water that didn’t have any current and made the pace slow going. I was afraid Dave’s gimpy back would be the limiting factor, but he kept pressing on so I didn’t stop.

We finally made camp on Cass Lake in the last light of day. We managed to scratch out a few spaces for our tents on the beach, and boiled water for our freeze dried dinners as the sun was setting.

Hoping to sleep well tonight; I’ve only been getting about 5 or so hours; I think I’m just too wound up for this adventure still.

Responding to a couple of comments some have made… mosquitoes have really not been bad. They’re nonexistent during the day, and tonight’s the only time they bothered me, mostly because I was trying to make “dinner” while they were buzzing around, but I don’t think I’ve been bit once.

I’m glad many of you are liking the thematic music. I’ll plan to keep it up. Some of you have even made some helpful suggestions! (I’ll think about that Johnny Cash song DJ!) Today’s offering, thanks Caroline, is Ruins by Mt. Joy; I think partly cuz I’m feeling a little ruined after a colossal day, and partly cuz it’s nearly as relaxing as the water lapping against the watercraft and the distant eerie call of the loons.