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Last night we turned in early so I awoke at first light, got up, made coffee, and then read my book as the sun rose.
After Rob got up, we ate a few pounds out of the food pack by cooking up the eggs, hashbrowns, and sausages. After
packing up we paddled out into another calm sunny day. We started up the little Madawaska River which has a swift
current running opposite the direction of travel. Nevertheless we made it almost to the portage where we had to get
out and push the canoe up a shallow spot. We then ferried across the fast stream to get to the portage trail. The
blackflies came out in droves as we readied the canoe and packs for this 3.6 km carry. There were red trillium flowers
scattered around the landing point. Rob carried first, but shortly after starting we got stopped by a couple of downed
trees. Rob had brought a folding saw, so he cleared the two trees out of the way. I noticed that my matches had fallen
out of my pocket, so ran back to get them and found them a few hundred meters back at the place I had pulled the camera
out of my pocket earlier. Rob continued carrying until we shortly got stopped by another fallen tree. Again we cleared
this out of the way using Rob's saw. The rest of the trail was clear so we continued along, swapping the canoe every
7-800 meters or so, until we finally got to the other side a couple of hours later. We had a quick lunch of pita
hummous, cheese, and tofu bacon. The wind had picked up which was a good thing as it kept the flies somewhat at bay.
We now struck out onto the windy (air movement), and windy (not straight) river and spent the next couple of hours
paddling the meanders through the swampy lands. At one point we came across a moose which was blocking our path. It
did not appear that she was going to move for us so we discussed a plan for getting around down another channel. The
sound of our voices startled her enough that she climbed out onto the bank and disappeared. We passed the fork in the
stream that had managed to get Wendy and I lost six years ago. We stuck to the right fork this time. After several
more meanders, we finally reached the next portage. Our way was blocked again by another fallen tree, but Rob and his
saw came to the rescue again. I did the first carry down this nice wide trail, but had to rest a little past the
halfway point, so Rob took it the rest of the way. Another short river paddle brought us to Philip Lake, where we
fought against the wind and waves to get to the first campsite. This one was a little too small and exposed so we
continued to the next one which is the same one that Wendy and I had stayed at. Set up camp and made some hot tea as
it was now cloudy and cool. While setting up the food rope we found an area that must be regularly used by sleeping
moose. We cooked up an early supper of Indian boil bag curries and then relaxed by the water as waves of light rain
rolled over. At one point two moose came wandering along the shoreline, but upon seeing us took off back the way they
came. I wonder if they were heading to their sleeping area by the food bag? I wonder also if these moose are related
to the two moose I saw in the exact same place six years past? We had a small fire to burn the garbage and sat around
drinking herbal tea spiked with a bit of rum. Went to bed early with the onset of darkness.
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