It was bound to happen

My first REALLY rainy period where I didn't have the comfort of somebody's home.

Spent most of the day Friday in the car, sitting out the rain. Arrived in Ely, talked to the forest Service people and got info about the Boundary Waters for some kayaking. Headed out to Fenske Lake, a Nat Forest campground that’s closest to town. That way Sat I could to town and talk to some outfitters about renting a kayak. Severe thunderstorms and hail were forecast. I missed the hail. I sat in the car and told the sky I wasn’t interested in hail. I fell asleep and woke up with the sky so dark it seemed like night but was only 2pm. Lots of wind and rain but no hail. It cleared up enough for me to put up my screen kitchen, cook some dinner and put everything away. Then it came down again, most of the night I guess. I headed into Ely Sat on the bike but it was too windy to leave the bike for fear of it toppling over (caught it once).

It's Sunday now and I've been in Ely, MN for a couple of days, trying to find a good time to go kayaking on the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness. It just doesn't look like it's going to happen unless I grow webbed feet. I guess somebody is telling me to move on.

It has still been fun here and I'd like to return sometime. I found a few good dual-sport trails and went for a hike around Lake Fenske where I'm camped. The definite benefit has been that the natives (insects) don't seem to care for this weather either - they've been noticeably absent.

Got a new sleeping pad last night from Steve at the Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters - highly recommended. The bliss of sleep makes it all OK.