We had paddled Lake Superior many times, my children and I, living near to the greatest of great lakes. But we had moved to Omaha then, for reasons hard and good both. And so right after a beautiful and challenging trip back into the BWCAW for a week paddling his own boat, my 9 year old son was ready to take on the Big Lake in his little Otter kayak. The day was perfect, sunny, warm and only slight breezes moved the water. From the 500 feet deep darkness to the shallows under the towering cliffs of Palisade Head (pictured here) it was a beautiful, perfect day.