Isle Royale - Day 17

A young bull moose feeding near sunset, Isle Royale National Park

Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 102
Total miles Paddled: 4.6
Total moose seen: 14
Total foxes seen: 4
Total days with no cell service: 16

​We awoke to absolute downpours and thunderstorms that brought frigid air and continued well into the afternoon. We were thankful for our little cabin and watched frustrated backpackers arrive on the float plane, some arrived with completely overwhelmed looks on their faces.  We are sure they did not plan on starting their backpacking adventure during a gully washer rain storm.

Rainstorms on Toblin Harbor, Isle Royale

​Even the best rain gear would struggle to keep a person dry in this type of hard continuous rain. Thinking of being on the trail, we agreed that should we run into a day like that, we would definitely hunker down with the goal of keeping ourselves and gear as dry and warm as we could. It reminded us of the importance of a flexible schedule and mindset, moving your itinerary around the weather and being patient with Mother Nature and her dominion over the island.

The lights in the cabin flickered and it shook as the thunder clapped. Sheets of rain washed across the surface of the lake in big sweeping motions. The trail in front of our cabin became rivulets of a stream as all the water poured down emptying into the lake. I pulled the blanket up over my feet and pressed on reading my book about two young men who get lost in the north woods and are subject to the extremes. Reading of their travels, it is apparent of their missteps, and I make note as a reminder of making good decisions in the backcountry .

After finalizing our gear for the next stage of our month long adventure and completely chores like laundry (twice washing our hiking shirts from weeks 1-2), we settled in for an evening and celebrated my 43rd birthday with a match atop a Casey’s rice crispy treat we had been hoarding for this moment since our arrival. It as endearing and a simple moment, reminding me of the simple joy of life and the importance of loved ones in it.

The rest day, birthday finale was when a young bull moose decided to take his evening stroll and supper completely encircling our cabin. We watched him for over an hour, studying his movements and observing what he selected to eat. It was amazing the amount of understory he munched on. We joked that it was the perfect birthday present on the island, and then turned in for our last night in a bed for another week.

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