It was GREAT to have son Steven's companionship over this 10 day trip. We have not been canoeing together for many years; work and other commitments can make it difficult to schedule. We arranged this trip for when I came out to resupply at the end of July. It's great to have help with chores, but sharing the experience is the best.
Steven and I talked unfettered by electronic devices and other distractions, like we wouldn't if back in "civilization".
We had quite good weather, a bit of everything (sun, wind, rain, forest fire smoke, bugs, lots of fresh air). We had good meals and ate fresh fish almost every day.
We saw lots of small wildlife - bald eagles, pelicans, cormorants, loons, spruce grouse, ravens, red squirrels, kingfishers, warblers, ducks, beavers. Something neither of us have seen before, was a bald eagle swooping down over the trees along shore skimming the lake surface after a mallard duck, the duck madly flying and weaving to escape. The duck managed to get away. A special treat was seeing a family of otters several times around an island where we camped and fished one day. They are so curious, "standing" up in the water to look you over better. You cannot help but smile when you see them. I was sitting near shore on the last morning before leaving our campsite, and a weasel ran across just a few inches in front of my outstretched legs. I've seen several weasels in the winter when their coat is all white except for the black tip of the tail, but this is the first in summer coat, sleek dark brown with the black-tipped tail. Definitely brought a smile to my face.