Beaver Dams & Enchanted Lean-To

June 3, 2024 mile 14.2-22.9

(2.2 miles of portages)

We both got a solid 10 hours of sleep last night, I didn’t wake up once. We probably would’ve slept longer if the sun hadn’t heated the tent up to a sauna. We really took our time this morning, planning on doing an easy day to another island with a shelter. We slowly started to pack up and I was just getting ready to filter water when Henry waded into the lake to go swimming.

I abandoned my chores and followed him. The water was cold and shocking but my body got used to it in seconds and it felt delicious.

I perched on a mossy rock and dried off in the sun and pulled a tiny tarot card. 8 of pentacles: hard work is essential but you still need to find balance, how appropriate 🩷

After our skinny dip we finished the rest of our camp chores and finally started paddling around 12:30. We only had 1.5 miles to paddle before we arrived at our first portage. 1 mile long and 100% wheelable through campground roads.

Back in the water at 8th lake for another short paddle before our 2nd portage- Brown’s Tract Carry. It was a rocky and rooty 1.2 miles but ended at a beautiful boardwalk in a swampy area. Lifting and pulling the canoe from the back while Henry does the same in the front, while also carrying half my body weight in gear really takes a toll on me.

I sat on the dock leaning against my backpack trying to recuperate while Henry threw a line in trying to catch some bass.

Lowered the boat off the dock and back into the water for a twisty, turning paddle through the swampy, shallow Brown’s Tract. It was absolutely beautiful. We had to step out of the canoe and onto beaver dams 4 times to pull the canoe across before getting back in on the other side. We actually had a lot of fun with it, laughing as we imagined a beaver appearing from beneath the water and latching onto Henry’s toes.

The tight turns were hard to make in our 18 foot canoe and by the time we crossed under the bridge and into Raquette Lake I was exhausted. I leaned back and laid in the sun for a half mile while Henry paddled and fished.

Then before we knew it we arrived on the island with Enchanted Lean-To. It really is enchanted, deep dark forest and a beautiful sandy beach. Henry fished from shore while I set up the tent and now I’m sitting and relaxing while he cooks dinner of mac n cheese, broccoli, and leftover steak.