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(large image)	(large image)	We decided to get an early start on Tuesday, since we wanted to travel all the way to Kekekabic, and definitely wanted a good campsite there since we were going to be there an extra day. It was to be an easy day for portaging but quite a bit of paddling. One of the benefits of getting up early is the beautiful sunrises. Here are a couple of shots from the campsite on Hatchet before the dew burned off the lake.
(large image)	(large image)	Jake checked around the campsite to make sure we didn't leave anything behind. The motto that the rangers want engrained is "Leave No Trace". To make sure we can come back to the BWCA year after year we are as clean as possible while we're there. Here, Jake, Mike and I pack up the canoes to ready ourselves for the day of paddling.
(large image)	During one of the portages today we stopped long enough for Loren to snap this picture of a little waterfall running alongside the path. Everything is so beautiful up there that each time you turn around there is another scene like this.
(large image)	(large image)	Although we were technically travelling in the blowdown area the entire trip, we didn't really get a good look at the extent of the damage until we hit Wisini Lake. On July 4th, 1999, the BWCA was hit with a storm that thankfully doesn't come around very often. With straightline winds up to 160 miles per hour, more than 400,000 acres of the roughly 1 million acres of BWCA were damaged to some extent. Trees more than a foot in diameter were snapped off sometimes 20 feet off the ground. Fortunately noone was killed in this storm, but it left the BWCA in a fire friendly state. As a result, campfires are only permitted from 7pm to midnight, and outright banned in some areas.
(large image)	(large image)	We made great time today, and made it to Kekekabic by about 2 pm. We wanted to get the campsite on the island and were fortunate enough to find that it was still open by the time we got there. The canoes were pulled on shore, and we got camp set up right on the waterfront. Nothing like waking up and looking out of the front of the tent and seeing a beautiful lake.
(large image)	(large image)	The campsite was actually on a peninsula with a view of the entire south side of the lake. The view from our campsite was absolutely spectacular, we'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
(large image)	(large image)	There is nothing better than a swim in an ice cold lake after a day of paddling. Jake and I decided to be the first ones in. Afterwards Mike shows me how to cut an onion while avoiding slicing his hand open.
(large image)	I was in charge of making dinner tonight. One of the things I really like cooking is chicken curry over rice. I premixed all of the ingredients before we left and just had to stir fry the chicken with the ingredients, and cook the rice. For a new twist, we decided to wrap the rice and chicken curry in a tortilla to make it easier to eat.
(large image)	One thing you have to remember is that you're a visitor in the BWCA when you're here. Black bears love visitors, especially the kind with food. That's why the ranger instructs you to make sure you hang your food pack out of the way of potential would be midnight snackers. Here Jake tosses a rock attached to a rope over a branch about 20 feet up. We used the rope to hang our food pack high in the air.
(large image)	(large image)	Later in the evening, we saw this front rolling towards us, and could hear thunder in the distance. Amazingly enough we got just a few tiny drops of rain, and that was it. The other shot shows some interesting whispy clouds overhead. The lack of light pollution and the fact that we had a new moon while we were there meant we could see literally millions more stars than you can see when you're at home.
(large image)	(large image)	(large image)	After the sun goes down, it gets a little chilly. We stoked the campfire a little bigger to give us some heat. Here you can see Jake educating Mike on the finer points of camping.

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