Boundary Waters.

Lucky me!  I got to go to the Boundary Waters within a week of coming back to the USA.  It was a wonderful trip!  Hot and sunny the entire time.  Couldn't have asked for better weather.  A little windy, but better that than to be stormy and cold.  It was nice spending some quality time with the North Woods.  It took me awhile to get used to the bugs though...I saw a lot more mosquitos in 4 days than I saw in all of my time in NZ.  But all worth it.

Checking out the route the night before leaving.

DAY 1:

6:45 AM.  First car heading out: Gail, Me, Katie, & Dad

Noon-ish...second car heading out: Gump & Nate

Driving view.

Seagull Lake...looking at the dead trees from a fire 7 years ago.

Made muffins for dinner with the dutch oven...

They turned out better the second time!

First sunset.

DAY 2:

Biscuits and gravy for breakfast!

Group photo, ready to take on the day!

Gump & I being weird.

Nate, having fun despite the wind.

Eagle spotted in a tree.

First portage.  100 rods.

Scenic view.

Dumping the canoe for fun at the new campsite.

Doing the dishes.

Hanging the bear bag after dinner.

Dad checking out the map.

Katie & Gail looking for moose!

stretching.

Second sunset.

DAY 3:

Pancakes & sausage for breakfast!

..still waking up....trying to be chipper.

Eating in the "dining room"

Packing up the canoe.

Group photo.

heading out.

Katie, learning how to canoe in the back.

Setting up camp.

Swimming at the new campsite...using life jackets as automans.

Nap time.

Scenic view.

Sheep's Head winner...won a piece of bark.

Me, documenting the excellently baked muffins.

These ones turned out pretty well...good job Nate!

Dinner.

Making s'mores.  "I don't know who looks dumber in this photo" -Dad

S'more = graham cracker, marshmallow, hershey's chocolate (complete with fly)

Third sunset.

DAY 4:

My bro, fashion stylist.

Good morning coffee!

Packing up camp...getting air out of the tent.

*insert warrior Xena cry*

Reached the landing...final group photo...proof of survival.

So basically what I learned is that bugs don't like me and if you go to the boundary waters you need at least one strong guy per canoe, because I sure wasn't contributing any strength to carrying them across portages.