BWCA Canoe Trip July 2002

Winchell Lake

What an idyllic setting! Winchell Lake is several miles long with gently rising bluffs on the south side (the Misquah Hills). After paddling just a mile or two we found a great campsite on a exposed point with a 180° view. We had this end of the lake to ourselves. The weather was nearly perfect. We all went swimming, bathed, and rinsed the soap off on the shore to protect the lake.

At one point a common merganser hen with almost a dozen ducklings swam by. The boys took a turn at knot tying. They both learned the proper way to tie two half hitches and Hunter's bend. Mark took them out for fishing and canoeing lessons. Bruce found a rock that pretty much matched the contours of his backside and watched the sun go down. Dinner was black bean soup and couscous. The breeze dropped off at dusk ands the bugs came out. We retreated to the larger tent for a game of cards. I'm lucky I didn't lose my shirt!

Copyright 2002 by Richard Rathe & Family