The wife and I made our first trip to the BW a week or so ago and it was really incredible! We put-in on Brule lake EP41 and set up shop for two nights on a nice big island (Brule is a pretty huge lake BTW) then we headed to the west end and went off into South Temperance Lk. We didn't really fall in love with any sites on S. Temp. Lk so went up to N. Temperance lake and all the sights were taken, so back to S. Temp and by now all the sites were taken except the last one. We happily made camp there and stayed two nights then headed back to Brule for the 5th night. Half way through day five the wind really picked up and just got stronger for the next two days. We tried to make an early departure on the 6th day as thats when we were due out but once we left the protection of the bay it was too much for us. So we headed to shore and made a safe yet ungraceful landing and just found a place in the woods to lay low until the wind died. The wind however would not cooperate it just kept blowing and blowing. I would estimate 25mph sustained with gusts of 40+!
I was basically too lazy to set up the hammocks and just rigged the poly tarp for some protection and we......slept on the ground! All night and most of the next day the wind just wouldn't let up. During the second day of being wind bound we scouted out a designated site and I walked the canoe around to a cove where we could load it and reposition to someplace we could have a fire. Met some local guys who said they've never seen the wind like this. Finally around 7pm the wind calmed to a dull roar and we headed into the fray. We just kept our nose to the wind until we crossed the lake and then made a downwind turn and found our way back to the car. It was quite an adventure.
Canoeing allows for a few more luxuries than when backpacking which definitely improved our menu options. And cooking over a full size fire was quite a treat after using the BB and other DIY small wood stoves for the last several years.
Well, here are a few pix and a little video to accompany my report. Hope you enjoy.
Bookmarks