By Chris Thompson
This was one trip that we all really didn’t know what to expect. The only one with a clear idea in his head was Doug Berg. It was 6:00 A.M. and the only thing we as a group cared about was going back to sleep. As the trip proceeded we all started to wake up. Everybody was anxious to get to the Boundary Waters. We made our first pitstop at Toby’s Restaurant. While the majority of the group was eating breakfast, the infamous Dave Watts was choosing a knife for the trip at the neighboring Outdoorsman Shoppe. After breakfast, the group wandered over to the Outdoorsman Shoppe where Dave had made his selection. We bought the supplies we needed.
We were now on our way and eager to get started. In Da Barge, Dave showed us his K-Bar. For those who don’t know, the K-Bar is a twelve-inch US Marine Corp World War II fighting knife. Dave was filled with excitement about his new toy.
When we first arrived at Sawbill Lake, we got things organized and canoed to our first campsite. Doug laid down the law about camping.
The next morning Doug woke us up somewhat early and sent us on our way. The group was not ready for our first portage. Everyone swore in resentment for the agony Berg was putting us through. By late afternoon we had reached our designated campsite on North Temperence Lake.
Friday, we left early in the morning and canoed all day. The weather wasn’t exactly cheerful. We reached Frost Lake. Right after we set up camp several of us went swimming in the lake for the first time. The water was very cold but refreshing. Later that evening, I had a neighboring chipmunk eat out of my hand.
The next day we had a layover day. Unfortunately it was raining for the most of the day.
Sunday we headed over for Little Saganaga. The weather was excellent. We reached a campsite that Doug picked out with a beautiful view of the whole western side of the lake.
Monday arrived and the weather conditions were beautiful. There was lots of sun with a slight breeze. With the weather on our side the day went by fast. In the morning we met a couple of Outward Bound instructors. One of them was Zack Benway’s instructor last summer when he went through Outward Bound. They told Doug that they were really impressed by the way we paddled and portaged. By early afternoon we left them all far behind. Doug was proud of us. We set up camp on Adams Lake. There was nothing to do except go to bed early.
In the morning we set off for Hazel Lake where we had all decided to have a layover day. When we finally arrived on Hazel Lake, we set up camp as quickly as possible so we could still use up the rest of the daylight.
Wednesday arrived and Doug was the first one up and fishing before anybody else. The morning grew to be a beautiful afternoon with lots of sun and fun. The group really took advantage of the cheerful sunshine. Some people went fishing and Joey Verner and I went to relax and lay out in the sun. Evening rolled around and Doug along with the others brought back a total of twenty walleyes. This was the highlight of our trip.
Thursday morning came and everybody was eager to get moving. Except there was one problem, the black flies were feasting on our flesh. As the morning passed, the black flies did also. When the group arrived at Sawbill Lake there was a weight that lifted from all of us. We had finally reached civilization.
This trip could have been called both heaven and hell. It could be called heaven because of the beauty of the Boundary Waters. Its surroundings are noticed by everyone who visits there. It could also be called hell because Doug really wanted to work us and show us that life isn’t really fun and games. Doug showed us on this trip what we all take for granted and that we should appreciate what we have.
Some people had to hurry home from the B.W.C.A. to attend…
[This was a lead-in to another article about Prom]