If you’ve spent any amount of time outdoors, you understand a rebate trip. Any trip that didn’t go according to plan, went totally off the rails or got canceled altogether. If you’ve been recreating outdoors-you probably have a trip or two like that.

We need another try at Mt. Whitney, we had 3 attempts on Mt. Rainier before we finally claimed a summit, we’d love another crack at Devil’s Tower-we got a summit for that one but the tower did us dirty….

If you’ve followed along with our posts or know us at all, you know that we go to the Boundary Waters every year in the spring, typically May or June often celebrating our Wedding Anniversary. The last several years have left us thirsty for a really great trip. Three years ago when Sage was just a puppy, we brought him 7 portages into the wilderness and his little puppy gut couldn’t take it. He got the worst case of diarrhea I hope to ever see for a dog and vomited in the tent…..twice. We left the next morning.

The next year we had a lovely trip out of Sawbill, but I was only 11 weeks post-op from ACL surgery. So with storms in the forecast we headed home after 2 nights to avoid slick portages. Here is that trip if you haven’t watched it yet!

Last year we opted to take our trip in early/mid May-and it brought some very cold water and unfortunately some very severe weather. After surviving our most frightening night in a tent (ever) and listening to the forecast call for snow we took off for Grand Marias after two nights, retreating to civilization under a constant stream of rain.

This year-we needed a win. We’d spent a large portion of the spring training for a mountaineering course that took place on Mt. Rainier in April and that trip wasn’t exactly what we were hoping for. This year we wanted to relax, feel good, be healthy, hopefully enjoy some decent weather and stay for at least 3 nights-our standard ‘go to’.

On May 31st we packed up and headed North. As two perpetual night owls, early mornings aren’t really our thing. Whenever possible, we try and head up the day before to avoid having to drive early, get to the put-in and get to camp on the first day. That hasn’t always been successful for us-case and point: June 2020

This year we had the time to stop in Duluth, grab our permits from the Duluth Pack Store (which started charging a $2 permit fee this year) eat some beer cheese soup at Canal Park Brewing and enjoy a chilly evening on the North Shore. We stayed at Bluefin Bay in Tofte and watched the most incredible moon rise.

The next morning we drove the rest of the way to Brule Lake (where it all began 10 years ago), pushed off by 12:45pm and paddled into camp by 3pm. This year we kept it very simple-not sure if friends with kids would be able to join, and only planned for one short portage-10 rods.

In our excitement to leave, we fell into a classic trap and put sunscreen on our faces-but not our thighs. We often have colder weather or several buggy portages forcing us to wear pants. This year with just a sunny paddle, we wore shorts and toasted our virgin Minnesotan skin-oops.

We enjoyed a mostly calm night (Sage took a bit to relax) with a steak and potato dinner, complete with steamed broccoli, red wine, loons singing, beautiful views and of course the best company.

We started day 2 with avocado toast, bacon and coffee, took off for some fishing after a session of frisbee and spent the afternoon relaxing.

We read our books, played cribbage….more frisbee…swimming….prime relaxation.

This was our 10th summer trip in the Boundary Waters together and the first time anyone has ever checked our permits! When we got to camp, I knew we were at a popular campsite. How did you know Hannah? The latrine….she was full. When the Forest Service stopped by camp to check permits, they also checked the latrine and came to the same conclusion. They asked if they could return in the morning to dig a fresh one. Taking no issue with camp cleanliness, we agreed and they promised to return the next morning at 7:30am.

That night we enjoyed mac & cheese, with pigs in a blanket and….wine.

Our last full day the Forest Service arrived right on time and went to work on digging and moving the latrine with no power tools (since motors are only allowed in designated locations). Avocado toast never disappoints so we devoured round 2 with coffee and spent the day much like before; reading, fishing, swimming and playing frisbee with the occasional round of cribbage.

This trip was all about relaxation for us. One of the best parts about a Boundary Waters trip for us is the flexibility. Whenever possible we keep our end date open by a day or two, keep ears to the radio for a change in forecast and keep a few days of spare food so we can choose to stay if we want or go if we please.

We made a Pad Thai for dinner and relaxed with some cooler weather before turning in. The next morning under cloudy skies and the only rain we saw for the trip, we broke down camp, packed the boat and made our way back to the take out.

During the paddle out we fished a little and caught a nice bass!

With thoughts of a bike tour on our minds (Tour De Luce anyone?) we grabbed lunch from Moguls Grille in Lutsen and drove straight home!

With no incidents and healthy campers all around, this year was the win we needed! Thanks for reading, watching and following along-hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to follow the blog and subscribe on YouTube!

Thanks for being here-get out and enjoy your next Days Off!