First time canoeing on the Brule River. Stones Bridge landing to Highway 2.

Started day with breakfast at Delta Diner. Awesome pancakes.

On the river by 10 a.m.

Low water, but passable – did not have to get out and drag the canoe at all.

Went with experienced paddler who knew the river and showed me some good paddling techniques.

Some fun runs through rapids, but no unplanned swims. Fine by me.

Blue skies, nice breeze, no bugs.

Lunch on an island – Rainier cherries, trail mix, carrots, string cheese, Coke.

Bald eagle flew overhead – close enough so we could hear its wings swooshing.

Passed a mother merganser with 14 – 14! – ducklings paddling alongside her.

Passed another mother merganser with two ducklings. Slacker.

Watched trout swim beneath us.

Navigated around beavers’ admirable but futile attempt to dam the river.

Admired century-old cabins and lodges along the banks. Some of them… wow.

Cold water from a hand-pumped well at the takeout point.

Drove backroads between Highway 2 and Lake Superior on the way home.

Black cat started to run across the gravel road in front of me… it got halfway, then turned around and went back (so it didn’t officially cross my path… so I won’t have bad luck, right?)

Took photos of abandoned country school and abandoned farmstead.

Got home and walked a dog with hours worth of pent-up energy.

Perfect day.