Day 2

Erables, Big Thunder, Mink Creek, Mouse

Day two and as always we were up early in hopes of getting some fishing in before we headed out.  It was a cold morning and I put just about all of my clothes on to keep warm, bad mistake.  As Moe and I were heading back in for breakfast (after catching nothing) he stepped out and went to lift the front of the canoe.  Unfortunately he twisted it and threw me right into the drink, everything was soaking wet!!

Moe cooking up some early morning sausages!!

Early morning sun rise

Our canoe, pretty much in the same position as when I was dumped

After a quick bite we were back in canoes and headed out on Erables.  The lake was calm and it was a nice easy paddle to Big Thunder.  Our first portage was 1645 and then we made our way across Big Thunder to a small 230 portage to Mink Creek where we then had our final portage of the day 1700.  We were looking forward to Mouse Lake as we heard of a great site with a nice sandy beach and we would be spending two nights at this location.

Now what would be a trip in the park without a little adventure??  I think it was back in our 2002 trip where Moe and I decided that we would try to paddle down some rapids instead of portaging.  Without getting into too much detail, we can say that we now realize that portages are there for a reason.  So as we approached the 1700 portage that would take us from Mink Creek to Mouse Lake, Ted and Brandon were surveying the map.  They could see that the river did actually continue on right into Mouse Lake and decided to attempt to navigate it.  We warned them not to especially having "been there, done that" but they wouldn't listen.  Moe and I unpacked while they headed around the corner.  The portage itself was very level and smooth, took no time at all.  While Moe and I were comfortable resting at our site, (on the beach) in about an hour, we didn't even get a glimpse of them for over three hours!!!  Ted actually counted 12 beaver dams and numerous small waterfalls.  Then all of a sudden the river dried up and disappeared.  They eventually came to a road and followed it for bit.  Luckily the road actually crossed the portage trail that we went down and they were able to find their way.

As for what exactly happened on their trek I don't really think it was all too pleasant as Ted and Brandon were awfully quiet for the rest of the evening and really didn't speak too much to each other that day.  Of course its all rather funny now looking back on it.

Later that day we walked around our site a bit and were all taken by the size of these mushrooms on a fallen tree.  Brandon picked one up that had fallen off and threw it at me kind of like a Frisbee.  The thing soared though the air and Shroom-bee was born!!!!  Our site was rather large we had a big open space where we chucked Shroom-bee around all evening.  Although our site was very large and had a great beach, it was also very windy that day.  For the first time on our trips we decided to bring a tarp in case of rain; we never thought it would be used to shield the wind.

Moe Leaving the TCE mark

Brandon Finishing it up

Evening Sky

Moe and Brandon relaxing on the beach

Making a mess of the bear rope

Day 3