Thursday, October 04, 2018 The next morning was partly sunny and cold. The deck at VCO had a layer of ice on it. I ate breakfast and opted to hire a tow to Red Rock Bay. I paid my bill and said goodbye. Grabbed my gear and headed down to the dock and loaded my stuff on the boat. I was glad I opted for a tow because Sag was a windy mess and even the tow out was a rough ride until we got into the cover of Red Rock Bay. I need to stop here and express how great the staff at VCO are. They went above and beyond and the owners are lucky to have all four of them representing their business. I really enjoyed my time there and look forward to my next visit. I would recommend their service to anyone and everyone. I have used numerous other outfitters for various things over the years but I find my experiences at VCO to be above and beyond the others. If you run or plan on buying an outfitting business go there and learn how to do it right. Thanks again for everything Matt, Cassidy, Clay and Connor! So anyway, Clay dropped me at the portage, we said our goodbyes and I took the short portage and was off again. The day was beautiful, mostly sunny and it lit up all the regrowth of birch, aspen and maples in the burn area. Fall colors were at their peak. Red Rock Bay was gorgeous and calm. I took the very nice, slightly up hill, 48r portage and was on Alpine lake. Alpine also regrowing from the burn was ablaze with fall colors and I decided to stay I would stay and enjoy the view. I chose site #342 half way down on the west side because it was out of NW wind and had one heck of a view. Also because they were forecasting snow tonight and tomorrow and it just felt right being on a lake called Alpine for it. Set up camp, cut and split a bunch of cedar and put my warm socks and boots on. The temps today didn't get much above 40' but the sun made it one of the nicest days I have had yet. Glad in my decision to carry on. I watch at least 3 beaver that have a big lodge around the corner from my site busy at work preparing for the coming long winter ahead. They were very active all day and the next. I got good video of them but no pics. I had a nice fire in the evening and later while in the tent heard some wolves howling and yipping in the distance.