During our preparations for the Bimaadagaako Adventure, crossing Lake Winnipeg was the most anxiously anticipated part of the journey. For three days we would put our winter travel skills to the test. Three islands, each a full day's travel apart, would offer us protection from the wind and necessary firewood. Yet if our navigation was off just slightly, we would have to camp in the middle of the lake - a most unpleasant idea.

On Monday the wind took a rare day off from blowing. The temperature climbed above 10 degrees for the first time in months. For most of the day we skied with out hats and gloves on, celebrating the spring like conditions.

Lichen and Saylix may have thought differently. The heat zapped a bit of their energy. Tongues hanging especially low, panting heavily, and taking time to roll in the snow, the dogs didn't seem as excited about the rising temperature.

A light snow fell during the night, and the wind picked up to a steady 15 to 20 MPH. We left the comforting shoreline of Big Sturgeon Island and headed out into the limitless frozen landscape. The sky blended with the ice, creating an never-ending horizon. Because of the blowing snow, visibility was decreased. The ice became sharper and more jagged and with in a few minutes of travel the shore was no longer visible. Dave led the way, stopping regularly to make sure our bearing was accurate.