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(large image)	The only problem with setting up an elaborate camp is it takes a while to tear everything back down. With a heavy travel day ahead of us (several long portages including a pair of 180 rod portages) we got going at a pretty early hour. Here Mike and Jake put things away in their proper place.
(large image)	(large image)	This was our first portage into Spoon Lake. A pretty short portage, something simple to get the day started.
(large image)	(large image)	This is the end of Skoota Lake, where we're about to head out on our first 180 rod portage of the day. That will take us into Missionary Lake, with a short portage into Lake Vera, then another 180 rod portage into our destination at Ensign.
(large image)	Before paddling across Lake Vera, I check the map to find out where on the lake the next landing is. With the blowdown sometimes obscuring the shoreline, it's hard to pick out exactly where the portage is so checking the map at least gets you close.
(large image)	Right after we crossed the last 180 rod portage into Ensign, we noticed the nearest campsite was still open. We decided to take it immediately, since Ensign is within a day of two major entry points, and the campsites tend to fill up fast. Mike and I paddled south a little ways and it showed pretty quickly that we made a good decision because of the 6 or so campsites we checked, none were vacant.
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(large image)	(large image)	These are the views from our campsite. There really isn't a bad campsite in the entire BWCA, but we certainly seem to have a knack for picking the nicest ones.
(large image)	(large image)	The water near the shore on Ensign is a little slimy, so I paddled out to the middle of the bay to get some clean water. I should have probably thrown a log in the front of the canoe to even the weight out a little bit. After returning, I mixed up some Powerade.
(large image)	(large image)	(large image)	The official sport of the BWCA is caveman golf. With a 5 wood chisseled from a branch, and a not quite round rock, Mike is seen here driving for distance.
(large image)	(large image)	We've just about depleted our liquor rations at this point, but enough remains for a couple of cocktails during happy hour. On the right, Jake prepares the final dinner for the BWCA, pesto, while I stoke the fire with wood Loren and Mike collected earlier.
(large image)	Oh no! Disaster! The french press breaks and quite a few coffee grounds sneak by the screen into evening coffee. Jake says it's not too bad, they settle out. Mike and I disagree, take a swallow, chew our coffee and spit out the remains.
(large image)	(large image)	With no wind to keep the bugs away, the mosquitos are out in full force. Slapping mosquitos as they tried to fill up is another way to spend the time in the BWCA.
(large image)	(large image)	Our last night in the BWCA. Good thing too, because our liquor just ran out. On the left, it's Mike, Loren, and myself sharing a story over a cocktail, on the right Mike and Jake enjoy the last little bit of warmth from the fire.

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