Fall Backpacking in
Lake Superior Provincial Park
September 2000

Nancy, Tamara,
Linda, Linda, Cheryl too.
Adventure awaits.

Cheryl we've not met.
Stopped by police on her way.
She does not drive van.

Soo border crossing,
Goes just fine, bringing red wine.
Just leave pepper spray.

Motel Sunday morn.
Electricity?  Not now.
Lightning, thunder, rain!

Linda takes picture,
Of Nancy writing haiku,
Orphan Lake Trailhead.

Blue, ras, and thimble
Berries, ripe for the picking.
Too few, Linda raves.

At Baldhead River,
Linda sitting on a log,
Chipmunk collision!

Reubenesque beauties,
Scrub-a-dub-dub down below,
Swimming at Raised Beach.

Wine, crackers, and cheese,
Freeze dried dinners, chocolate,
Under a bright moon!

Tenting Monday morn.
Electricity?  Not here.
Lightning, thunder, rain.

Walking slippery,
Slippery, slippery rocks.
Hiking goes slowly.

Up the coastal trail
Over rocks and through the woods.
Passing no one else.

After three-hour walk
Finally reach beach campsite
Camper Jeff is there.

We camp on the beach.
Two tents set up in the sand.
Waves lapping the shore.

Cheryl up at two,
Checking how high the waves lap.
All's calm, back to sleep.

Lazy day in sun.
Reading, napping, swimming too.
No hiking today.
 
Bright red ladybugs,
Basking on rocks and driftwood,
Spotted ladybugs.

Fire, stars, and moon bright.
Water lapping at the shore.
Pleasant evening.

Up early to hike
Back over the slip'ry rocks.
Big waves crash the shore.

Being too cautious,
Lacking forward momentum,
Linda falls backward!

Stepping on driftwood,
Log springs up, hits Linda's face,
She falls backward too!

Nancy unsteady.
Balance compromised hiking,
Without any bra.

Tamara falls down,
Gashed knee needs care,
Steri-strips, band aids.

Cheryl carries log
With a hole for Linda R.
She's invited back.

We share today's trail
With six more women hikers.
Lots of estrogen.

Past Raised Beach Campsites
Baldhead site too high,
Pitch tents on the beach.

Cheryl and Nancy
Hike to the top of Baldhead.
It's not very bald.

Looking to the north,
Beautiful view of coastline
We already hiked.

Tamara, Lindas
Stay behind and lounge in sun.
Good idea too!

Round, striped rocks, pebbles,
Green, pink mottled, white egg shape,
Too many to take.

Late afternoon hike,
Five go to the waterfall,
Dark with tannin, loud.

Missing for two days,
Lurking in the green stuff sack,
My missing brassiere!

Campfire with driftwood,
Easy to start and burns bright.
Big dipper above.

Hiking back to car,
Sad to leave the lovely park,
Packs heavy with rocks.

Linda realized
Her clothes really smelled badly,
Even in the outhouse!