The portage from the river to Oyster Lake was, I think, the prettiest I have ever seen. It was lined with tall white pines. The forest floor was interspersed with pine needles and green plants. The sun shone through the canopy and illuminated everything around me. I really enjoyed double portaging this time.
The wind was starting to pick up a little bit, but it wasn’t anything to be concerned about. We started crossing Oyster, trying to find the narrow passage that led to the portage to Hustler. We started going in the wrong direction, towards the northwest corner of the lake, but we eventually saw what we were looking for and corrected our course.
We ate lunch at the beginning of the portage. Another group came in and started down the portage while we were eating. Both of us were feeling a little tired, so I suggested that we could stay on Oyster. Dad said that we had come this far, we might as well try to reach our goal. (I think he said that because he thought I wanted to keep going.) Lunch really hit the spot and rejuvenated us a bit.
When I had planned the trip, the map I had used had shown the portage being about 220 rods. The maps we used on the trip, however, showed it being 310 rods. I wasn’t sure which it really was, but I was hoping for the 220. I had never done a mile long portage before.
I started down the trail with the canoe, looking at the ground in front of my feet. I was counting my paces as I went, so I was surprised when my boots came to the edge of some water about 100 rods in. I looked up and saw that it was actually a pond in the middle of the trail. About 50 yards ahead of me the trail emerged on the other side of the pond. I thought about it and decided to just go for it. I plunged into the water and forged ahead. The water was thigh deep, as long as I stayed on the trail—it was a bit deeper if I ever got off of it. I got to the other side and was able to keep going.
Oyster-Hustler Portage
