According to our weather radio, there’s a good chance of rain today. It’s pretty gray this morning so we linger in camp after our quick pop-tart and hot apple cider breakfast. Boredom eventually overtakes us.

There is an old dilapidated log in front of the fire grate that is falling apart fast and has been kind of bothersome. There are several large downed trees that have been cut up in and near camp. I endeavor to use one of them to replace this old one and add some extra convenience and curb appeal to the site. There is a thick & solid 9’ log about 20 feet away that will work nicely. However, I need to utilize some engineering skill to get it up the hill and maneuver it into position. Aurora provides just enough extra ‘ummph’ to help get the job done. We're both pretty proud of the finished product, which should last for years to come. For comparison - contrast this photo with the one from day one.

It sort of looks like the skies are finally starting to clear up so, after briefly perusing the map, Aurora suggests we head over to Moss lake.

The portage landing is nice, and the trail is very well worn although, it does have a gradual steady climb the entire 50-rod distance to Moss Lake. There is a charming creek tumbling out of Moss Lake that runs very near the portage that provides a lush 'mossy' area for convenient exploration. Aurora hops around on some of the boulders in and near the creek.

Once we emerge out to the expansive landing on Moss, our earlier assessment of the weather proves to have been overly optimistic as we are greeted with some light rainfall. We pull our rain jackets out of our daypack and then paddle over to the lone camp site on the lake.

The landing is rocky, and someone has inexplicably ripped up the fire grate. I put it back in position and prop it back up as best I can. While it doesn’t offer a lot in the way of tent pads, this site is very expansive and runs a good distance around the shoreline. Aurora really likes the pine duffed trails and convinces me to play hide and seek with her. She also finds a little rock pile which is (one by one) methodically deposited into the lake. There is a commanding view of the lake from the fire grate area where we sit at the neatly constructed rock table/bench while we wait out the rain.

Back on Duncan Lake, we notice a couple of swans swimming just out from the portage. Aurora wants to get a closer look, so we paddle over. Unwittingly, I am amazed how close they let us get! At the same time, we also see a couple of muskrats swimming just in front of the canoe. With all this going on, just as I'm finally putting it all together as to why one of the swans is staying so close; she starts hissing and opening her wings at us. Aurora excitedly exclaims, “Hey, there’s the nest and an egg!” I don’t pay too much attention as I am trying to quickly reroute the Black Pearl. I have to deflect the attacking swan with my paddle but, we are able to get far enough away without (hopefully) causing too much stress.

The swan incident aside, this backwater bay provides the most intimate area of paddle able water on Duncan Lake. It looks like it could be a great area to spot a moose but, we don’t encounter one in our travels back here.

After supper, the clouds have moved on and it is an absolutely gorgeous evening. Leave it to Aurora to provide the inspiration and direction for this evening's activity, “We need to go out for a paddle.” Tracing the shoreline of the lake in a counterclockwise direction there is, what appears to be, an old metal sign between the 2 most southern sites on the lake . Aurora hops out to investigate but, there are no distinguishing marks and we are left wondering what it might be - or may have been. The rock slide on the eastern shore is beautifully illuminated as, for the first time this trip, we also get to witness the full splendor of a sun set while out on the lake. As we slowly paddle back to camp, Moonlight Drive - by the Doors plays in my head.

~Duncan Lake, Moss Lake