Day 7: The Long and Winding Road

We took the path less traveled. (and with apologies to Mr. Frost,..."and that has made all the difference".

Despite not having far to travel the next three days we put in another sixteen miles today. As the loon flies, it probably wasn't anywhere near that far, but we took the long way around islands and stayed closer to the shoreline rather than take the straight path from point to point. The distance wasn't hard, but the wind was aginst us all day. Visually, paddling into the wind makes it seem like you are moving fast since the waves are moving past you, but it takes forever to get where you are heading. AJ and Charlie are a great crew, and we all worked together, switching our paddling from side to side when someone needed a break from pushing against the waves.

Mike and I are still pretty tentative on open water with strong cross-winds blowing. Steady winds aren't really the problem. What we are looking out for is another one of those sudden, violent bursts like the one that hit us on day 3. They've blown up a couple times since then, but we've been fortunate to not be caught on the water, or out of position when it happens. Because the food packs have gotten progressively lighter, we've kept the equipment pack with us to add a bit more ballast to the front of the canoe. AJ and Charlie need a little help counter-balancing me holding down the back of our boat.

As the days go, this was a mostly steady day of paddling. Based on the route we've mapped out, our heaviest portage days are behind us. The last day has probably our longest portage in store for us, but according to Drew, the ones we have left are flatter and less difficult overall than those we've already conquered. Nobody really has a problem with easier portages.

I'm struggling with new things to add to my journal today. Maybe that in itself is noteworthy. As I think about it, it is a little sad that in just seven short days a lot of what we see or do out here is becoming routine and losing a bit of the magic from the first half our our trek. That is really too bad because I know how quickly the well-worn routines of our 'real' lives will swamp the memories of being out here.

Its a bittersweet thought.

We definitely are missing some of the comforts of home....soft beds, fresh food and cold pepsi, and indoor plumbing. But in all liklihood we'll have those conveniences every minute of every day for many, many years. How often will we have the chance to live so simply, with everything we really need and surrounded by pristine lakes, and stunning scenery? Not every day...not every week... simply not often, and for some, perhaps never again. It is a good lesson to remember to live in the moment, appreciate what you have right here and now, and make the very most of the time you have.

I guess today was more special than I thought.