Back to Hoel, then Follensby Clear

 Headed back to see Gary at Hoel Pond for the night. He finally got some great loon photos with the chicks. This would be his final night with the permit. Had a nice campfire before hitting the hammock.

The next day Gary and Lisa headed to Middle Pond while I went to Follensby Clear. Have two nights to possibly bag the lean-to. Only a one mile paddle to the island with the lean-to. A loon visited me in the narrows as I made my way through. I paddled around the island to land closest to the carry to Horseshoe. Found the lean-to unoccupied.

Set up my gear and a quick look around. Never have I seen a campsite so devoid of wood. I only needed a few twigs to make lunch. The leftover scraps in the firepit will have to do.

As I finished lunch a couple paddled up to the landing spot on the east side of the island. I welcomed them saying the lean-tos are intended to be shared. They were just taking s break before heading to horseshoe. 

Later I set out to find some wood. The couple from before was returning from horseshoe and mentioned there was a pile of wood at the portage campsite. I thanked them and headed that way. A full bundle of kiln dried wood was there. I loaded it into my canoe and headed back to camp. I took a nap and relaxed at the lean-to. Did some fishing and landed a small perch. Day paddlers were plenty. A few stopped at the island for a break.

Later on as dinner time approached I was npt very hungry but figured it was the heat. I made a small dinner. Had some red ale from the raquette brewing company. Did not stay up much past sunset. Slept great for lean-to #181.

A couple nights camping at Hoel Pond

 My planned five day canoe trip in the St. Regis area was postponed, so instead I met up with Gary and Cold River Bob for a relaxing two night campout at Hoel Pond. 

Gary has a multiple week permit to camp at this spot. Without a permit, users are limited to a 3-night stay. Bob is joining him for about a week, I stopped by for a few days. 

We paddled a bit on Hoel Pond so Gary could use his giant lens to photograph loons and their chicks. I saw a couple decent sized fish in the clear water below me. One even rose and splashed nearby. The loons also surfaced nearby to check us out. 

Was very windy the first day, so we stayed off the water. The second day was very calm. Rain came in the evening the second night along with some distant thunderstorms. By morning it was mostly gone. I did pass through some more showers on the drive home.

Now planning the redo trip with my paddling partner.