Canoe Trip Planning

Had a good BWCA trip. I have been doing BWCA/Canada trips since the 1960s and it is still something special. The Boundary Waters trip changed from a fishing trip to a travel trip and I completed the loop faster than expected but I still had a great time.

It was easy to tell that you guys at Voyageur have your act together. Your attention to the little details does not go unnoticed. Everything, trip planning, pretrip communication, tow, etc was professional. Thanks for a well performed service.

My impression of the Wenonah Prism is that it is a fast solo boat that is extremely easy to portage. If your plan is to travel it is stable while under paddle. I would suggest however that if a person is going to do much fishing that it is not the best platform for that. My suggestion would be for a solo canoeist who wishes to do a lot of fishing to find a tandem alternative. The same suggestion would apply to a single taking a large dog ( does that happen much??). As long as we were moving forward we were fine but just like a bicycle it gets more unstable when moving very slowly.


Thanks again, I will certainly recommend your company and we will see you again sometime.
--
Stephen Rollins O.D

Name: Stephen Rollins
City:
State:
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip

We entered the BWCA on July 20 for a four night stay. We paddled to Long Island lake and made a base camp. We had great weather and enjoyed our trip. The water was the warmest I can remember for the BWCA. The bugs were not bad, except for the biting flies. I plan to visit the Boundary Waters again soon.

Mike

Name: Mike
City: Eagan
State: Minnesota
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip

     The answer to the question, "How do I plan a Boundary Waters Trip?" is very simple, you just call an outfitter, preferably Voyageur Canoe Outfitters.   We can help you plan a BWCA canoe trip within a few minutes of speaking with you.

     The benefits of using the services of a canoe outfitter to help you plan your Boundary Waters Canoe Trip are endless.  We've been outfitting canoe trips into the wilderness for 20 years and we know the lakes and the routes.  We know what type of fish are in which lakes, the degree of difficulty of the portages and the best places to camp.  We also know where you are most likely to run into a moose and when you're most likely to see people.  We can tell you lots of valuable information about planning a Boundary Waters Canoe Trip but you have to give us a call first.

     It's our job to outfit folks into the Boundary Waters and to make sure they have a good time and return year after year.  We'll help you plan your Boundary Waters trip, we're ready and waiting to do so. 1-888-CANOEIT

     Do you have your canoe trip planned for the summer yet?  If not then there is still plenty of time to get your BWCA or Quetico Park wilderness adventure on the calendar.  There are permits available and summer is just around the corner.  We can help you plan a great canoe camping trip.

     Our first canoe groups will be heading into the BWCA and Quetico Park later this week.  The water temperature is still pretty cold but they have lots of experience so we're not worried about them paddling the wilderness waters.  They'll paddle close to the shore, wear their life vests and won't take any chances while out in the canoe country. 

     The forecast calls for the temperature to reach 70 degrees by Wednesday but then it will drop back into the 50's for the weekend.  If I had a clear schedule I think I'd be planning to go camping in the BWCA yet this week.  But it will have to wait until after the Ham Run Half-Marathon on Sunday.

     I think this is finally the year for an early season Boundary Waters canoe trip.  How about you?

     If you’re looking for a true wilderness then visit the Boundary Waters in October.  BWCA permits are based on a self-issuing process due to the lack of visitors during this month.  No people, no bugs but lots of places for you to enjoy the solitude of the BWCA.

     The month of October is known as the Harvest Moon and Falling Leaves moon.  After the fall colors have reached their peak and dried up then the winds blow the leaves to the forest floor.  The decomposing leaves produce the unique smell of fall in the air.  The air is somewhat chilly with the average daytime high of 51 degrees and a nighttime average of 32 degrees.  The sun can still be hot but the hours of daylight are dwindling and night fills the sky longer.

     The night sky is the focus in the Boundary Waters in October.  Two different events keep canoeists eyes on the sky during the evenings.  The Draconid Meteor Showers are seen at nightfall and occur the 2^nd week in October.  They are best seen without a moon as are the Orionids.  The Orionid meteors are the third week of October and display about 15 meteors per hour and leave long trains.  After midnight is the best time to see the Orionids.  Be sure to check the calendar to see the exact dates for each year and plan your BWCA trip around them.

     The BWCA lakes turn over in October and the water is chilly at around 40 degrees.  This is when whitefish and lake trout spawn and large northern pike can be caught.    Walleye move shallower once again making them easier to catch.

     The Boundary Waters is quiet in October as wildlife prepares for winter.  The snowshoe hare will be changing colors as moose and deer enter their rut.  Some ducks will be present like the Golden Eyes and Mergansers but soon they along with the loons will leave for warmer temperatures.  Snow buntings will appear as the other winged wonders disappear.  The Black Bears will be looking for a place to spend the winter months and other animals will be busily preparing for snowfall.

     With a little extra caution and clothing October can be a wonderful time to visit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  Camping can be a bit chilly but the lack of people and ultimate solitude makes October an incredible time to experience the wilderness of the BWCA.

     Is mealtime your favorite time when you're camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness?  If so, then I bet you have some sort of method of madness for what you put into your BWCA food pack.  I have a method of my own when I'm on a solo BWCA canoe trip just as everyone has their own including the Voyageurs from many moons ago.

     A scientist named Kennicott had this to say about the Voyageurs' food after traveling with them.  "Pemmican is supposed by the outside world to consist only of pounded meat and grease; an egregious error, for from experience on the subject I am authorized to state that hair, sticks, bark, spruce leaves, stones, sand, etc. enter into its composition. It is very rarely that the Voyageurs reject anything in the shape of fish or bird...I think they would eat eggs so nearly hatched that the chick could almost peep."

     Most BWCA canoe trip enthusiasts aren't packing Pemmican or purposefully eating hair, sticks or bark.  I do know some folks who will kill and eat a grouse and I have even heard of a modern day Voyageur eating a birds' egg but this is seldom done in today's world.   

    However there are many people who take canoe trips into the Boundary Waters who bring along items to prepare fish for a meal.  Whether it is shortening & fish breading for frying or butter & garlic for grilling some folks plan to eat fish while in the woods.

     Then there are those people who want to eat in the Boundary Waters like they eat when they are at home.  This doesn't work well for me but if you don't mind carrying a ton of weight then pack in the potatoes, carrots, whole onions and fresh fruit.  You may as well bring along a cooler for all of the meat and other fresh food you plan to bring along as well.

     Maybe at home you eat lots of pre-packaged foods so in the BWCA you don't have to adjust your diet much from the pasta, rice-a-roni, hamburger helper and lipton noodles.  Carbohydrates from a box or pouch can easily be found and lately you can find meat in a pouch too.  Tuna and Spam come in pouches and I'm guessing chicken won't be far behind.

     In other people's food packs for their BWCA trip you might find everything dehydrated.  From the strawberries for their just add water shortcake to their astronaut ice cream if it's hydrated then it's not going into their food pack.

     Somewhere in between all of these Boundary Waters food pack options is a happy-medium.  That's what we like to supply at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters.  Just the right mix of fresh foods, dehydrated items and things off of the grocery store shelf.  We've been packing for BWCA canoe trips for 20 years and we know what tastes good because we've tried it all.

     You may not eat just like you're at home while on your Boundary Waters canoe trip but believe me, nothing tastes bad when you're sitting beneath the stars and listening to the call of the loon.

     Deciding where to canoe in the Boundary Waters is always a tough decision whether it's your first trip, tenth trip or fiftieth trip.  Just like when you're planning a regular vacation you'll want to gather information for a BWCA canoe country vacation.  There is a plethora of information on the web including great commercial BWCA websites and outfitter websites.  There are also books published about popular BWCA canoe routes but keep in mind the information in books may not always be precise or up to date.

     To determine where you want to go in the BWCA you’ll need to know if fishing is an important part of your trip.  If fishing is important then you'll want to know what Boundary Waters lakes have which types of fish in them.  If you're going to paddle the BWCA in early May then find a lake trout lake because that's what will be biting then.  You'll also want to spend less time traveling and more time fishing if it's really important to catch fish.  Don’t plan to camp a 12 hour paddle from where you're BWCA starting point is or you’ll spend all of your time paddling and not fishing.

     Most folks want solitude on their Boundary Waters Canoe trip.  If your goal is solitude then choose a BWCA route with lots of long portages.  Look for lakes that are difficult to get to and farther in than a few hour paddle and find a BWCA campsite that is off of the beaten path.  This will keep you away from the vast majority of folks.  Don't be fooled by thinking an canoe entry point with lots of travel permits is necessarily bad.  There are smaller lakes off of some of these bigger lakes that you can find and have all to yourself. 

     Another factor in determining where you will go in the Boundary Waters is who you are going with.  If you’re paddling with elderly or small children then you may want to plan a base camp canoe trip.  Find a BWCA lake with good day trip opportunities so people have the option to paddle and portage or stay back and relax.

     There are lots of things to consider when planning a Boundary Waters canoe trip.  You can find a trip route finder on our website that might offer you some insight.  Also, we have maps we can mail you if you’d like to purchase one.  Then you can spend time looking at all of the BWCA lakes and dreaming about camping on them.

     No matter how many times I've been on Boundary Waters canoe trips it's still a tough decision to decide where to go.  Who I'm paddling with, how much time I have and how energetic I'm feeling all make a difference in what route I'll choose.  No matter where I go in the BWCA I know I’ll be happier there than anywhere else I could be and that’s a very good thing.

     Each month in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness offers the canoe camper a different experience.  While the water temperature in May might be too chilly for swimming it's just perfect for catching a meal of lake trout.  There are lots of great reasons to plan a May BWCA canoe trip.
    
     The ice is usually off of most of the Boundary Waters lakes during the first week of May. This is the time of the year to go if you are in search of solitude or moose antlers. Moose lose their antlers during the winter and often times it’s along one of the portage paths. Being one of the first people on the BWCA portages means you could find one of these treasures. The USFS encourages you to leave the antler where you find it for others to enjoy. 

     As soon as the ice is off the loons return to the wilderness lakes of the Boundary Waters. The bald eagles will have already returned to their nests before the ice is off.  The mosquitoes don’t normally appear until later in May but the black flies could come any time depending upon the weather.  Wildlife viewing is generally very good due to the lack of people in the BWCA.

     Lake trout fishing in the Boundary Waters is phenomenal in May when the water of the BWCA is the coldest. The lake trout are close to the surface and are usually hungry for a meal so are eager to bite. They’ll continue to bite throughout the summer but they swim deeper and deeper as the summer goes on.

     The temperatures in May can be very warm or quite chilly. We’ve had snow and we’ve had 90 degree days in the Boundary Waters in May. The average daytime high temperature in May is 66 degrees and the average low is around 45 degrees. Rainfall is minimal with just under 3 inches being the average in the BWCA for May.

     If you're looking for a time to have the Boundary Waters all to yourself then take a canoe trip in May.  The smell of spring is in the air, the lake trout are biting and your chances of seeing wildlife are wonderful.  The BWCA is a great place to be in May.

1. Name, address and telephone number of the party leader.
2. Name of up to 3 alternate party leaders
3. Number of watercraft(estimated & can be changed) up to 4/permit
4. Number of adults & children(17 & under) estimated & can be changed upon arrival at your permit pick-up location.
5. Entry point & Entry Date(these are set in stone)
6. Exit Point(is not set in stone)
7. Permit Pick Up Location(Choose us, Voyageur Canoe Outfitters if you're outfitting with us or entering at an entry point near us).  By default the permit will be sent to the USFS Ranger Station closest to your BWCA entry point. 
8. Submit payment with a credit card($6 Reservation Fee, $16/adult, $8/youth)

July 11th on the Voyageur Hudson Bay Expedition

     The Hayes River provides an outstanding opportunity to learn about Canada’s history and experience its wilderness. Nine lakes and the connecting river offer alternating whitewater and flatwater paddling, the beauty and wildlife of the boreal forest, and outstanding fishing. Sport fish species include northern pike, walleye, perch, goldeye, whitefish, brook trout and lake trout.
     In the lowland portion, with the portages and obstacles behind, the paddler can quickly cover long distances in a very different environment, adding a new dimension to the traveling on the Hayes. Watch for foraging harbour seals, beluga whales and polar bears in the lower 10 km of the Hayes. Plan to spend time visiting the York Factory National Historic Site while in the York Factory area between June and September.
     The Hayes offers unparalleled wilderness canoeing and kayaking. Its remoteness and difficulty calls out to those experienced in whitewater navigation and familiar with the demands of the northern forests. Travelers should take special care to properly equip themselves and should take precautions to avoid bears, particularly polar bears on the northern reaches of the river. Paddlers should be prepared for challenging rapids, insects, extreme water and weather conditions and remoteness.
     Wilderness camping is possible at numerous sites along the river. However, camping is not permitted at York Factory National Historic Site due to the possibility of polar bear encounters. All fly-in/fly-out and provision arrangements need to be made ahead of time. Outfitters and guides are available to assist in trip planning and implementation.

Voyageur Hudson Bay Expedition July 9th

Day 20 of the Hudson Bay Expedition Almost off of Lake of the Woods

The trip of a lifetime, By EMILY GEDDE, Staff Writer

The longest trip Will Tanner has ever been on lasted five days. This summer, he will exceed that trip by 75 days.

Along with three others who call themselves the Voyageur Hudson Bay Expedition Crew, Tanner is embarking on an 80-day, 1,400-mile canoe and portage trip from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay in what the foursome call “a trip of a lifetime.”

“I made a list of pros and cons and then I was like, ‘heck yeah,’” Tanner said of his decision to go on the journey.

Tanner, Andrew Spaeth, Adam Maxwell, and Mike Swenson, all 23 years old, are now leaving their cell phones and the life they knew behind for almost three months to take on the wilderness and develop a true appreciation for nature and everything that comes with it. The mission of the Voyageurs Hudson Bay Expedition is to promote the continued protection of the scenic waterways of Minnesota and Canada through experience, education, and outreach.

Planning the journey

The idea for the trip that brought the crew through Voyageurs National Park, International Falls, and Baudette this week, started last fall when Maxwell came up with a plan to spend his summer in the wilderness.

“I wanted a big adventure,” he said.

Maxwell approached Swenson, his friend and co-worker, to see if he’d be interested in planning a canoe trip that would take them around Minnesota and Canada and into the unexpected. The two wilderness buffs had previously worked together during the summers at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters north of Grand Marais, Minn., at the end of the Gunflint Trail. They decided this summer would be the perfect opportunity for the adventure since the outfitting store was celebrating its 50 year anniversary.

Mike and Sue Prom, who own the business, offered their full support for the crew and their journey.

“They are part of our family,” Sue said of the Voyageur crew. “Any dreams of our crew are our dreams, too. Anything we can do to help any of them along the way in life we want to do, especially if it involves a wilderness adventure we would love to be a part of.”

With the stage set, Maxwell and Swenson brought Spaeth and Tanner on board to complete the crew they would spend 80 days with.

Sponsors were lined up and donations were made and the crew launched their canoes in the waters of Lake Superior at Grand Portage May 23.

A rough start

After almost eight months of planning, setting sail came as a relief for the Voyageur crew.

“After planning so long, it is such a relief to finally be out here,” Tanner told The Journal Tuesday.

However, the group agreed, the first two days tested their physical abilities.

“We took Grand Portage, which is an 8.5 mile portage that is basically all up hill,” Spaeth said. “We had to carry our canoes and packs the entire way. It is one of the most difficult things I have ever done.”

Spaeth added that while paddling the Pigeon River, which is located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the crew had to wade waist-deep through the cold water steering their canoes and gear.

“The water (in the river) flows towards Lake Superior and we were going against the current,” he said. “In the first two days, we kind of got thrown into the trip head first.”

Maxwell agreed. “Those first few days were interesting.”

Developing a routine

After spending almost three weeks on the water, the four young men agree a routine has noticeably set in.

“This is starting to feel very natural,” Tanner said with a laugh.

“This is becoming more of a lifestyle than a vacation,” Swenson added.

Each morning, according to Maxwell, morning light gets the crew moving and if the weather will allow them, they will spend about 10 hours paddling each day.

They experienced their first thunderstorm while paddling Rainy River Tuesday morning and have had several days of rain so far.

“We just don’t want wind,” Maxwell said. “Wind is way worse than rain for what we are doing.”

During the day, the voyageurs eat oatmeal, granola cereal, and pancakes for breakfast; trail mix and candy bars in the afternoon; and freeze dried foods for dinner.

“I think 60 out of the 80 nights we have freeze dried foods that Richmoor Foods donated to us,” Maxwell said laughing. “They actually aren’t too bad, but our favorite is the Hudson Bay Bar. It is basically as many calories as you can stuff in a little bar.”

They also fish several nights out of the week to fill their plates.

While paddling, Spaeth, Maxwell, Tanner, and Swenson rotate partners every day.

“It helps us get to know each other better every third day,” said Tanner who came into the crew not knowing his three counterparts as well as they knew each other.

Tanner added that while daily entertainment mostly consists of conversation between canoes, singing fills the air every now and then, too.

“You find out who can sing, who can’t sing, if it doesn’t matter,” he joked. “I’m a song singer — good or bad.”

Each night, the group sets up camp, sometimes in the backyards of people who live along their route. 

“People in International Falls and along Rainy River have been super hospitable,” Spaeth said. “One night the people whose yard we stayed in came down and had s’mores and a beer with us.”

Evenings and windy days also bring out a running cribbage tournament between tent mates.

Tanner said that as of Tuesday, he and Spaeth were beating Swenson and Maxwell 11 games to 10.

Keeping in contact

The Voyageurs Hudson Bay Expedition crew have equipped themselves with a SPOT locator device that sends a satellite signal to the Voyageur Hudson Bay Expedition website every 10 minutes updating those who are following their journey.

“It’s super exciting to watch their progress and wonder what the scenery they are seeing is like,” said Prom of keeping tabs on the group.

“It makes the trip really cool for us and for everyone we meet along the way,” Spaeth noted.

The crew say they spot each other if they’re not paddling side by side by the pink paddles they are using.

“We’re paddling with pink paddles to raise awareness for breast cancer,” Spaeth explained. “We’re really proud to do that.”

The men have also had two planned stops, including one in Baudette, to pick up food and supplies and make a phone call or two.

Their last stop to refurbish their supply will be in Pinawa, Manitoba. The food collected on that stop is expected to last the final 43 days of the expedition.

“The last leg our journey won’t be very populated,” Swenson said. “I think it’ll be kind of nice.”

A life changing experience

Each crew member shared similar feelings that this trip would change their lives forever.

“I already have more of respect for the wilderness,” Spaeth said.

“Oh man, it is so great to be on the trip,” Tanner added.

Swenson said that in the modern world, people are constantly bombarded by so many things, but for him to be able to leave that and go into the wilderness is such a rare opportunity — especially for this amount of time.

“I think it’ll be hard to adjust back to normal life when this is said and done,” he said.

The trip is scheduled to conclude around Aug. 10 when the crew reaches York Factory, a former settlement and trading post located on the southwestern shore of Hudson Bay in northeastern Manitoba. From there, the four men will board a float plane and then a train to Winnipeg where friends will transport them back to Voyageur Canoe Outfitters where a celebration will await.

“It’ll be a big one,” Swenson said of the party.

The four have no doubt in their minds that their bond will be as close as ever once the trip is over.

“I kinda went on this trip with three strangers, but I already have made three of my best friends,” Tanner said.

“I love that every day I wake up and I’m in a new place,” Swenson said. “This is just awesome.”

Spaeth said once he returns home he will “figure out my life, I guess.”

And Maxwell calls the experience “as good as it gets.”

The four voyageurs together encourage anyone who is thinking about a trip like the one they’re on to take advantage of the opportunity because it may only come around once.

“This kind of trip is possible if you want to make it possible,” Tanner concluded. “Find the people who know how to do it — or think they know how to do it, and buddy up with them. You can become the person you want to be.”

Meet the members of the Voyageur Hudson Bay Expedition Crew:

Will Tanner
Although Tanner has not been a part of the Voyageur Canoe Outfitters crew, he has lived and worked on the Gunflint Trail just three miles away at Wilderness Canoe Base as a canoe trip guide and stayed through the winter. He graduated from New London-Spicer high school and from St. Olaf College in Northfield in 2010. Tanner said he is ready to experience a sense of timelessness on the canoe trip — free from the scheduled hours of the day and is looking forward to discovering the state of mind an 80-day expedition produces.

Andrew Spaeth
Spaeth has been a part of the Voyageur Canoe Outfitters crew since he graduated from high school in 2007. He’s been a key employee who most guests know by name. He is originally from Montevideo and graduated from Bemidji State University in 2010. Spaeth says he is looking forward to the pure adventure, amazing fishing, and being away from his cell phone and e-mail while on this canoe journey.

Mike Swenson
Swenson was a crew member at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters for the summers of 2006 and 2007 and then went to work as a canoe guide at Sommers Boy Scout Base in 2008 and Wilderness Canoe Base in 2010. He is from Plymouth and graduated high school from Maple Grove. In 2010, he graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College and is currently working as a chemist. While he is on this journey this summer, he said he wants to find a place that is truly wild.

Adam Maxwell
Maxwell started working for Voyageur Canoe Outfitters in the fall of 2007 and has worked every summer since. He’s contributed to the success of Voyageur over the years through his dedication and hard work. He was a frequent guest who came up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for canoe trips with his uncle. He’s originally from Crystal Lake, Ill., and is attending Lake Superior College in Duluth. Maxwell says he is most looking forward to the sense of true adventure, where paddling and camping will become a way of life.

For more information or to track the journey, visit http://blog.canoeit [3].
com/blog/voyageur-canoe-outfitters, www.voyageurhudsonbayexpedition.com [4] or search Voyageurs Hudson Bay Expedition on Facebook.

Our Community:

Lac La Croix which translated means “The Lake of the Cross” in the french language originated from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. However, to the Ojibway people, it is traditionally known as Zhingwaako Zaaga’igan meaning “Lake of the Pines”. Zhingwaako Zaaga’igan “Lake of the Pines”, is made in reference to the pines that surround the lake and are believed to provide protection to the community. To the Anishinabe people, the pine plays a significant role in the overall cultural practices, especially during times of harvesting fish and game for spring and fall feasts. This traditional process also includes honoring the spirits and the spiritual connection of Zhingwaako Zaaga’igan with expressions of gratitude and respect for the protection they provide.
Historically, the forests were once dense with a limitless amount of pine and the respected elders of the community considered the lake and it’s natural environment as sacred to their people. The Anishinabe people of Zhingwaako Zaaga’igan continue to be guided by the inherent cultural practices and values passed on through many generations. To this day, they continue to maintain a spiritual connection and belief in the preservation of the natural environment.
Lac La Croix First Nation is an Anishinabe community with a membership of 400+ people with approximately 300 persons residing in the community. it is located in Northwestern Ontario, approximately 95 km east of Fort Frances. Access to the community is by Flanders Road, an 80 km long all-weather road accessed by Highway 11, approximately 40 km west of Atikokan. The community is affiliated with Grand Council Treaty # 3 within Treaty # 3 territory.

Windy Morning Day 10 of Hudson Bay Expedition

You are WELCOME to join us for Dinner and Drinks at Hungry Jack Lodge on Saturday, May 21^st at 7:30pm. We’re gathering to celebrate the upcoming voyage of The Voyageur Hudson Bay Expedition Crew. The trip is part of Celebrating Voyageurs 50 Years of Promoting Wilderness Adventures, 1961-2011.  The crew is scheduled to depart from Grand Portage on Monday, May 23^rd and with a little luck and a lot of perseverance they will make it to Hudson Bay by mid-August.

 The Crew consists of past Voyageur Crew members Andrew Spaeth, Adam Maxwell and Mike Swenson. The 4^th paddler, Will Tanner, worked at Wilderness Canoe Base. They’ve been strategizing, packing and planning their trip all winter long and are beyond excited to embark. 

It’s an expensive endeavor and Voyageur along with a couple of other sponsors are taking care of many of the expenses. There are still plenty of bills to pay and you can help support them and their once in a lifetime adventure by donating online or by coming to Hungry Jack Lodge on Saturday evening. 

 We would love to have you share their enthusiasm and learn a little more about their adventure. They will all be at Hungry Jack Lodge, along with Mike and I and other past and present Voyageur Crew members. We know there will be good company and there will certainly be good food. On the menu is salad, chicken for the entrée and dessert. We’ll even buy you a drink or two to show our thanks.

 If you know for sure you want to come then please email us at sue@canoeit.com or give us a call at Voyageur, 388-2224. You can let whoever answers the phone know your name and how many people will be in your party. Then we can give Hungry Jack a guesstimate of the number of folks planning to attend. The cost for the dinner is $35 and a portion of it will go to the Hudson Bay Expedition Crew. Be sure to check out the website for more information and photos of the guys. http://www.VoyageurHudsonBayExpedition.com 

 We hope to see you at Hungry Jack Lodge this Saturday, May 21^st at 7:30pm!

  P.S. If you can’t make it Saturday night then be sure to stop over Saturday or Sunday morning from 7-9am for some pancakes. $8 will get you all you can eat pancakes and a Voyageur Hudson Bay Expedition Crew Member as a server! Hope to see you this weekend.

 P.S.S. We’ll have lots of Voyageur gear at the Trash and Treasure Day Garage Sale on Saturday and Sunday. Come buy some clothing at 50% off to help celebrate Voyageur’s 50^th Year Celebration.