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	August 21st through 25th, 1996

The last weekend before Labor Day is the time to cram all those summery things that you wanted to do but could not find the time or energy when the days were longer and the water warmer. This extended weekend was to be no different.

First up was "<b>The Hike</b>". The plan was to canoe across Lake Wabikon, go through the channel to Lake Riley, then to the canoe base on the other side of Riley. After pulling the canoe and chaining it to a tree, we were to hike over country to the Boy Scout camp (using a compass and map), then back to Lucerne to grab a boat. Then take that boat to the canoe, and bring them both back. "<b>The Hike</b>", fear it.

The initial trip to Lake Wabikon and launching the canoe went without serious injury.

Paddling through the channel never gets old.

We pulled up on the South end of Lake Riley at what we thought was the canoe base. The canoe base is actually on the east side of Riley.

Don't know the story of some of the things we came across. Probably never will.

We would not have had to break trail through the woods had we started the hike at the actual canoe base.

Eventually, we arrived at Hardwood Lake and the Boy Scout camp. Huzzah!

The scouts were gone and the camp sites were cleaned up for the Winter.

One of the natural wonders of the camp I had to see again was the "Frost Bowl". At night, the natural depression in a large field gets cold at the bottom even during the height of Summer.

Eventually we left the camp and headed back to Wabikon to retrieve the canoe.

The sun was setting, but the lake was super calm.

The sun was still up when we made it to the "Canoe Base".

The sun was not up during much of the trek back.

Most of the rest of the weekend was spent in, on, and under Lake Lucerne.

There was skiing.

There was kneeboarding.

There was showing off.

And there was grueling, gladiatorial bouts of Chinese Hydroslide (two or more kneeboarders trying to knock each other down).

After the hiking and brutal water play, a climb to the top of the fire tower at Sugarbush Hill was ordered.

Seven flights of stairs later, we were at the top.

All that hiking, water foolishness, and tower climbing left us ravenous. Pizza at "The Haven" in Rhinelander fixed us right up.

A few drinks at the Yellow Rose broke some of us again.

There was also some fishing.

The weather all weekend ranged from good enough to fantastic. A little rain might have been nice. It may have prevented my ski crash that was given an 8 out of 10 by those watching. We limped back home on Sunday and vowed to come back and maybe do a little less next time.<br><br><br>-Nemo's gonna feel it in the morning.

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