Ely Again

We departed Sparta WI on Friday morning and arrived at our camp in Duluth MN after a leisurely 239 mile drive.  

Minnesota welcomes us!

Normally we would stay at Lakehead Boat Basin when we visit Duluth, however, Lakehead was fully booked when we called about a month ago.  Apparently the word has gotten out about this jewel, located on the Duluth harbor, a few blocks from the famous aerial lift bridge. We were on their wait list in case a cancellation occurred, but it didn't happen.  In the meantime we reserved a site at Buffalo Valley Campground, about 10 miles south of the city.  We were probably lucky to get in there since it was a weekend, and there was an arts festival happening on the waterfront. 

We didn't expect much when we booked at this campground, but were pleasantly surprised. The sites were large and attractive.  The only real negative is that there were no flush toilets or showers near the camping area.  Those facilities were located about a half mile down the road back at the campground office.  The Buffalo House Bar and Restaurant is also located on the site and earned good reviews, but we did not eat out on this visit.  Mainly we stayed close to home, while I worked pretty hard updating this journal..  

Site #B47 at Buffalo Valley Campground

After three nights we departed Duluth on Monday, and continued north to Ely. North of Virginia MN we crossed the Laurentian Divide, a continental divide in central North America that separates the Hudson Bay watershed to the north from the Gulf of Mexico watershed to the south and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed to the southeast.

We finally arrived in Ely MN, our favorite small town, after driving 1511 miles from our home in North Carolina.  Ely MN is the largest jumping off town for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and a major one for Quetico Provincial Park in Canada. The BWCAW is renowned as a destination for canoeing and fishing on its many lakes, and is the nation's most-visited wilderness area. With extensive outfitting and other services, Ely can credibly claim to do the most wilderness canoe outfitting of any town or city in the world.

Site #10 at Fall Lake Campground: a nice pull through with 50 amp service

Dorcas chillin' at camp

Ginger's first water exposure in Fall Lake

Our favorite outfitter in town, Spirit of the Wilderness

So, today, August 24, Dorcas and I along with Ginger, will put in on Fall Lake for a 12-night wilderness adventure in the Boundary Waters.  Dorcas and I have done the Boundary Waters trips practically every year since we met in1997.  We have always taken a dog, first Izaak, and then Matilda, and now Ginger.  This year will be an exceptional adventure on several counts.  First, I am in the worst physical shape in my life.  Before and after my recent replacement knee surgery, I significantly reduced my physical activity, particularly by not being able to play pickleball, and I have.gained weight.  We have planned an easy trip, but still have several portages. I hope I can get the boat and the gear across the trails.  And second, we have Ginger.  Ginger is 11 1/2 weeks old and has never been in a canoe.  She has just learned her name, but is not trained in the least.  We assume she will be able to swim if necessary, but we did buy her a PFD, just in case.

And the forecast is for rain.  Pray for us.