: Hi Jon,
: I agree with IRUSS, Throw the cheap compass and bring along a good hand held
: compass. The waters that you will be paddeling do not require any long
: crossings so the compass will be used mainly to orient your map and to
: locate portages. It is my experience that even a GPS is unnecessary in the
: BWCA. Just extra weight that you have to carry.

: Keep everything light! Remember, you'll be carrying everything on the
: portages.

: Sorry to not keep you informed with my new E-Mail address. Are you going to
: stop for a visit? Sound like you are preparing well for the trip. Good
: luck. Hope to meet you soon.

: Dan Ernst

Hi Dan,

Good to hear from you, it's been awhile. If you would send me your address I will try to stop after my trip. I would really like to see your beautiful kayak. I have planned my trip From Eastern IN to central IL so to bypass Chicago. It will take 18 hours to drive according to my trip planner and I want to take it straight through. If I leave about 12:30 AM on the 20th and drive throught the night ( I don't see well at night) I would get to Ely about 6:30 PM and sleep over. Get things done on the 22 and put in early on the 23 and perhaps get as far as Hudson Lake to camp the fist night. The I have the option to stay as long as I want.

Thanks Dan,
John