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2021 Boundary Waters

The crew ponders the clues to find the first step in the adventure — The crew ponders the clues to find the first step in the adventure
On the drive up from Minneapolis to the Boundary Waters, each car was given a puzzle.

Solving the car puzzles gives a riddle — Solving the car puzzles gives a riddle
The riddle told where to enter and hinted at the location of the first "treasure".

We'll enter on Round Lake from ther Tuscarora Lodge — We'll enter on Round Lake from ther Tuscarora Lodge
The landing isn't marked on this map, but it's in the northeast corner.

Dragonfly resting at the outfitter — Dragonfly resting at the outfitter
Dragonfles are a welcome predator on the seemingly infinite mosquito population

Unpacking from the cars and packing the Duluth bags at the outfitter's — Unpacking from the cars and packing the Duluth bags at the outfitter's

Scott starting to pack his personal dry bag — Scott starting to pack his personal dry bag

Rob contemplating the many puzzles to come — Rob contemplating the many puzzles to come

First order of the while still in civilization: hats — First order of the while still in civilization: hats
Scott is ahead of the game already

And a close second: sunscreen — And a close second: sunscreen

Duluth bags packed; final prep before getting out on the water — Duluth bags packed; final prep before getting out on the water

Hauling all the gear to the outfitter's landing — Hauling all the gear to the outfitter's landing

The anticipation wedges open the first cracks in our sanity — The anticipation wedges open the first cracks in our sanity

Gooch measures up the provided canoes: will these suffice for the adventure ahead? — Gooch measures up the provided canoes: will these suffice for the adventure ahead?

Ben demonstrates lifting the canoe onto his shoulder — Ben demonstrates lifting the canoe onto his shoulder

First canoe in the water — First canoe in the water

And we're off! — And we're off!

A short paddle across Round Lake — A short paddle across Round Lake

And into a bit of a traffic jam... — And into a bit of a traffic jam...

Rob ponders the lush vegitation while waiting for his turn at the portage — Rob ponders the lush vegitation while waiting for his turn at the portage

A scouting sortie to see if there's a navigable route from Edith Lake to Brant Lake this way — A scouting sortie to see if there's a navigable route from Edith Lake to Brant Lake this way

Photo from 2021 Boundary Waters

Chad points out that maybe this isn't the right way after all... — Chad points out that maybe this isn't the right way after all...

And back the way we came... — And back the way we came...

Chad: lord over these lands — Chad: lord over these lands

Photo from 2021 Boundary Waters

Almost back to Edith Lake, we settle on doing the portage — Almost back to Edith Lake, we settle on doing the portage

Puzzle materials were passed between canoes carefully — Puzzle materials were passed between canoes carefully

At last! Entry to the BWCA — At last! Entry to the BWCA

A loon — A loon

Emerging into Bat Lake after a short portage from Green Lake — Emerging into Bat Lake after a short portage from Green Lake

Scoot communes with a tiny amphibian — Scoot communes with a tiny amphibian

Back on the water of Bat Lake — Back on the water of Bat Lake

Setting up camp after a long paddle across Gillis Lake — Setting up camp after a long paddle across Gillis Lake

Rob hides in his tent from the sun, mosquitos and camp-buzz to work on a puzzle — Rob hides in his tent from the sun, mosquitos and camp-buzz to work on a puzzle

Scott works on one of the jigsaw puzzles at camp — Scott works on one of the jigsaw puzzles at camp

The camp site on Gillis Lake — The camp site on Gillis Lake

Chad and Scott contemplate a puzzle — Chad and Scott contemplate a puzzle

Sore feet are rested while pondering the meaining of the incomplete jigsaw — Sore feet are rested while pondering the meaining of the incomplete jigsaw

Fishing for dinner, and puzzle points! — Fishing for dinner, and puzzle points!

One of the puzzles reveal a map of some sort — One of the puzzles reveal a map of some sort

Leading finally to a particular spot in a particular tree. — Leading finally to a particular spot in a particular tree.

That shows the frame of the next one... — That shows the frame of the next one...

Each has a missing piece... — Each has a missing piece...

The jigsaw puzzles seem to be taken in the BWCA — The jigsaw puzzles seem to be taken in the BWCA

Life jackets provide the only cushioned seating — Life jackets provide the only cushioned seating

Rob and Scott consider the possibilities — Rob and Scott consider the possibilities

If this is Little Saganaga Lake, the big version must be gigantic — If this is Little Saganaga Lake, the big version must be gigantic

Evening approaches, but the solutions are more reluctant — Evening approaches, but the solutions are more reluctant

Tim taking Anna's picture in the light of the sunset — Tim taking Anna's picture in the light of the sunset

Tim and Anna in the fading light — Tim and Anna in the fading light

Photo from 2021 Boundary Waters

Photo from 2021 Boundary Waters

Ben evaluates the craftsmanship of the chess set made of found objects and the board made of charcoal markings — Ben evaluates the craftsmanship of the chess set made of found objects and the board made of charcoal markings

Can a game really be played this way? — Can a game really be played this way?

Photo from 2021 Boundary Waters

Photo from 2021 Boundary Waters

Anna and the aftermath of victory — Anna and the aftermath of victory

Photo from 2021 Boundary Waters

Scoot ponders the new puzzle: a star map, but no stars we've seen before... — Scoot ponders the new puzzle: a star map, but no stars we've seen before...

Rob finds that it's not a star map, but a map of campsites! — Rob finds that it's not a star map, but a map of campsites!

Scott admires the trophy carabiners from the day's successes — Scott admires the trophy carabiners from the day's successes

Ben counts out the prizes on the Tuscarora Lake campsite — Ben counts out the prizes on the Tuscarora Lake campsite

Close to the end now, so close to an entrance. Day-campers fill the availlable campsites. We race the oncoming darkness to find a last campsite, dividing the canoes to search separately. What could possibly go wrong?

Back in Minneapolis, we're welcomed with a delicious burrito feast! — Back in Minneapolis, we're welcomed with a delicious burrito feast!

Map

All photographs © Brian F. Allen