Part 2 - Prelude
In Minneapolis, our trip began to diverge from expectations. Severe thunderstorms in Duluth resulted in cancellation of our flight and substitution of bus travel to our outfitter six hours away. We maintained a positive attitude and prepared for our morning adventure. Bob and Marti from Clearwater Outfitters took us through three workstations that night to prepare us for the BWCA. We rested in bunkhouses that night and awoke to a hearty sausage and pancake breakfast. A final shakedown and we were on to the drop off point.
On July 4th at 9:30 am, all twelve canoes with our scouters were in the water. The BWCA mandates small groups with a maximum of nine people and four boats, so crews A, B, and C began to divide out to explore different coves for fishing and different speeds to accommodate each crew's style. Shortly after a quick shore lunch, however, our trip and the BWCA were dramatically altered. Scoutmaster Lonnie Dalton, along with leaders Bob Edwards and Ricky Brinegar, saw that the tremendous energy in the environment was being funneled in the Troops' direction. We all beached our canoes on an island point and prepared for our first Minnesota thunderstorm.
