As we reached the northern shoreline, Trapper’s Cabin campsite looked like a beautiful campsite on a peninsula. It also was still occupied so we continued along the northern shoreline and portaged into Smith Lake (43 acres). Within minutes, we had transversed the lake and reached the fourth and final lake, Oberlin Lake (46 acres). The portages were cool through the deep woods of hemlock, white pine, and maple oak.
Compared to our prior paddle adventures, we observed an absence of waterfowl with the exception of seven red ducks on Oberlin Lake. Immediately after making this observation an eagle soared directly over us and perched atop one of the many white pines. Since the Sunset Point campsite was unoccupied, we all unloaded to explore the campsite. The campsite had a beautiful lake view. A chair made from a white pine provided a good place to lounge. After a scavenger hunt for the compost latrine, we continued on.
Escaping the crowds
We opted not to go to the northern most side of Oberlin Lake since another paddler was enjoying the solitude fishing, the first paddler we had encountered since our put-in on Prong Lake. As we made our return trip, the lake shimmered in the full sun, mesmerizing us. We were serenaded by a lone loon while a bald eagle circled above. Thereafter, silence was broken by chipmunk chatter, distant bird calls, and occasional leaves rustling in the light breeze.
Back on Smith Lake, we followed the western shoreline past Loon Song campsite, completing our circunavigation of the lake. On Bittersweet Lake, it was a clean shot to Big Rock campsite, where we stopped for lunch overlooking the water. We inhaled the hemlock aroma fragrance between bites.
The only time any of us got our feet wet were when the kids elected to stand in the lake so minnows could nibble their feet. In some areas, lily pads were so thick that it seemed we could walk on the water and our paddles flung them as paddled, occasionally splashing water on us. We observed frogs, but were surprised we never glimpsed a single turtle or beaver hut. Plenty of insects danced on the water; however, we were thankful to not see a single mosquito!
Distinct character
