MRAC

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two maps

We had two maps. Like most everything they were in zip-lock bags.
They were different which became a very funny thing. We drove by the
lake access knowing so from the milage on the directions. We drove
right to the lake and the dock. Unloading the gear onto the ground
and the canoe into the water. We changed into our camping clothes. A
few last stuffings into the two bags and then Peet parked the car.
The lake was calm. Not un-waved but calm. It stretched out from the
dock. I do not recall thinking about the sky so much as the water.
Mid October. Winter could come or not in a moment. I was afraid.
Afraid of getting cold and uncomfortable. About not being prepared.
He had done the preparation. I was lucky for that. I had spent the
night before in Savers searching for a wool sweater, hat and socks.
I found a sweater but the socks turned out to be nylon. I did not
find a hat. I had to swing by Caplin's on Lake to complete the
ensemble. It turns out I did not have to wear the hat. I wore it
later during the barebones and suspected that it night not be wool. I
sat in the bow. We set out across the lake. We aimed out on Farm Lake
for the small island that we wanted to go just south of to get to the
North Kawishiwi River which would take us to our first portage to
Clear Lake, then on to Eskwagama Lake. The map in my zip-lock did not
have our put in point.

bug juice

I sit thinking about the past trip. I have mixed up a batch of the
bug juice that Peet delivered in the return of my things. Not a whole
container and not in a nalgene container. The water was not filter
from the lake either. Funny how it does not taste the same.

the ride and first meal

A loud noise followed us up 35 most of the way. From the straps and lines securing the boat to the top of the white Neon. Two people and some gear. Heading to the BWCA for a late fall excursion. Personally I was slipping away from a life and lack of routine that was making me insane. The trip planned by Peet was a way to get away from the turbulence and practice leaving things behind. I sat passenger in the car. We talked and I could feel what I was leaving yanking at me. Flashes of terror flowed through me as I thought of the details I had not taken care of. The noise changed at one rest stop when I tied a line to the strap, but it did not go away. It became the din the pushed the details of the city from my mind. What filtered in was the ever so brief images of memory from the past. We came to Ely. The times there washed back over me. The pitch of the hill and the outfitters and Dee's dar. Peet went looking for his Aunt's murals and was quickly rewarded. We came to our first meal. I had the test meal: scrambled, toast hashbrowns and bacon o.j. when the meal comes. It was fresh. Simple and made a good last meal before we hit the water. Peet had the chili I think..... It was the middle of the day. The outfitters were full of canoes and gear. We stopped in to one on the corner and bought two camp cups which we had agreed to purchase on the trip. At first we thought some plastic ones but thought better with some stainless steele ones with collapsable handles. 

The path intended

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