We've heard from a number of canoe country enthusiasts who have planned their summer Boundary Waters Canoe Area or Quetico Park canoe trips at Voyageur already.  It's exciting to think about canoe routes, fishing spots and wilderness campsites even while there is 3 feet of snow left on the ground. 

     It's even more exciting to think about the long journey planned by some modern day Voyageurs.  Three past Voyageur Crew members will be helping us celebrate Voyageur's 50th Anniversary by paddling from Lake Superior all of the way to Hudson Bay.

     In the days ahead you will hear lots more about this incredible journey but in the meantime, how about you make some paddling plans of your own for this summer? 

     It's that time of year when people are starting their canoe trip planning.  The phone is ringing with questions about Boundary Waters permits and people wanting to buy Boundary Waters maps.  Maybe the snow and cold weather are keeping people inside and they can't help but think of warmer days ahead.  We don't care why they are calling, we're just happy they are.

     One question we get asked when people are doing their canoe trip planning is, "When is the best time to come to the BWCA?"  This is a good question and thankfully if they are wanting to come canoeing we can eliminate half of the months when the lakes are frozen. 

     The paddling season in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness generally begins the first week in May and extends into October.  The temperatures vary considerably as do the water levels, fishing and bugs.  These things are closely related to when the ice goes off and what sort of weather we've been experiencing.

     It would be nice to say, "The ice goes off the lakes on May 2nd, the lake trout start biting on the 15th, the walleye bite begins on the 22nd, the mosquitos arrive on the 25th, the black flies begin on June 4th, the smallmouth bass start hitting on June 10th and so on and so forth.  Unfortunately that isn't how it works and we must say things like, "Our ice on Saganaga usually goes off the first week of May, but one time we still had ice on the fishing opener and another time we were able to use a boat during ice fishing season." 

    Canoe trip planning involves alot of things.  If you have questions you can feel free to call or email us.  Check out our list offrequently asked questions   and with a little luck and a little help from us, you'll plan the perfect canoe trip.

     It's been cold and snowy in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness but I still can't quit thinking about a wilderness canoe trip.  There are so many lakes to camp and paddle in and I only have to catch a glimpse of a map to start dreaming about where I'll canoe this summer.
      Dreaming of and planning a canoe trip are two different things.  If you want to take a BWCA canoe trip this summer then just give us a call at Voyageur, 1-888-CANOEIT. We can help you plan the route, reserve the permit and get you set up with all of the gear you need.
      We're trying to help another group of people plan a different kind of canoe trip this summer.  Voyageur Canoe Outfitter crew members Andrew Spaeth, Adam Maxwell, Mike Swenson along with Ranger Janice Matichuk's son Leif are planning to paddle from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay.  We're not quite as familiar with the lakes and rivers of the area in Canada but we're very excited to be a part of their trip.
     Every canoe camping trip is an adventure whether it's in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Quetico Park or the vast wilderness of Canada.  We get excited to help everyone plan their trip because it's such an awesome experience.  So, don't delay, give us a call today so we can start planning your 2011 BWCA trip.

     Wilderness canoe camping trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Park can be a bit physically challenging.  Paddling for miles and portaging across rugged terrain can get your heart pumping as do other types of exercise.  I usually say it's difficult to get into "shape" for the rigors of a canoe trip unless you want to walk around your neighborhood carrying packs and a canoe.  I'm not sure if these folks have outfitted with us but they are taking my advice and taking great care to be in shape for their next wilderness canoe camping adventure.

They can tote a boat - canoe? Pair practice portage

First, a little context: They met in 1995. They were both new teachers at Germantown Friends School. Taia Harlos was coaching the powerlifting girls. Jeff Fetterman was coaching the wrestling team. She used to stop by his practices to tease the grapplers, and to flirt.

On their first "date," Jeff goaded Taia into trying single-leg takedowns. During one attempt, she injured her foot, and he loaded her into his VW bus and took her to the hospital, where they spent six hours getting acquainted in the waiting room.

Taia, 41, a nice Polish girl from Buffalo, and Jeff, 44, a nice German boy from Haddon Township, have been married 14 years. They live in a cozy post-and-beam house in Germantown heated by a woodstove. The walls are decorated with moose antlers, snowshoes, bows and arrows, paddles, axes, and banjos.

Taia teaches music to students from kindergarten to sixth grade and directs the lower-school orchestra. She can play many instruments, but her favorite is the violin. Jeff teaches sixth grade and coaches the middle-school wrestling team. He is a mountain biker and snowboarder and is restoring a vintage Toyota Land Cruiser.

Taia is an avid snowboarder as well, and they both love the outdoors. They have hiked and backpacked and rock-climbed. They have made several cross-country camping trips. Every summer for the last 11 years, they have taken groups of GFS students on canoe expeditions in the Lake Temagami region of Ontario. The more advanced trips require 20 to 25 portages.

All of which helps explain, I hope, the spectacle that occurred in Germantown's Cloverly Park the other night. As snow fell steadily, Taia was carrying a red 17-foot canoe, while Jeff was walking Otter, their German wirehaired pointer. As is their custom, they would later switch.

Taia calls it "portaging for fun." Jeff calls it "a workout with a purpose." I call it functional fitness with a ridiculous and imaginative twist. However you describe it, the Canoe Couple have been performing this unusual ritual every evening since Thanksgiving, causing plenty of bemusement and bewilderment on the avenues and byways of Germantown and East Falls.

"It's a terrific whole-body workout," Jeff says, especially effective for strengthening the core.

"It's great for warding off the muffin top," says Taia, referring to the bulge of fat around the top of pants and skirts that often materializes in winter.

The canoe weighs north of 85 pounds. In the middle of the canoe there's a contoured piece of wood called a yoke that spans its width. When portaging, after flipping the canoe overhead, you support the yoke on the back of your neck and shoulders. You balance and stabilize the canoe with your arms, which are extended up and forward, your hands gripping another wooden crosspiece called a thwart where it meets the gunwales.

The Canoe Couple usually portage between 8 and 11 p.m. when the neighborhood is quiet, the sidewalks deserted. Their short walk is about a mile and takes about 20 minutes. Their long walk is about two miles and takes about 50 minutes. Needless to say, they attract lots of amazed looks and stares. Some people smile and give the thumbs up. Motorists often toot their horns. Wiseacres sometimes shout, "When's the flood?" and "The river is thataway." Jeff thinks they must look like trash pickers.

The other night, after crossing the park, Taia carried the canoe down School House Lane. This stretch can sometimes turn into a wind tunnel, and holding the canoe steady can require a battalion of stabilizing muscles. "It gets the heart rate up," Taia said. To heighten the exertion, the Canoe Couple sometimes jog while portaging. At a fire hydrant at the end of Oak Road, which borders the campus of William Penn Charter School, the Canoe Couple switched places, with Jeff hefting the canoe, Taia taking the leash.

Jeff calls street portaging a "getting to the point" workout. The point is preparing for the rigors of summer canoe expeditions. Some of the wilderness portages are as short as 50 meters, others as long as three miles. But the shorter portages are not necessarily easier. They often involve steep and treacherous terrain, and traversing waist-deep marshes and pools of mud and moose muck.

"The thing that's hardest on the trips is carrying the canoes," Jeff says. "As guides, we have to be at least one step ahead of the strongest participant."

Taia calls street portaging "a more natural way to work out."

"We get great exercise, Otter gets a great walk, and we talk a lot," she said. "It's a wonderful way to unwind and reconnect."

On Midvale Avenue, a jogger passed and acknowledged the sight with an amused smile. To him, Jeff and Taia seemed to be transporting a canoe; in truth, the canoe was transporting them - to recollections of sylvan splendor, solitude, and tranquillity.

 

Contact columnist Art Carey at 215-854-5606 or acarey@phillynews.com.

     We get asked this question by quite a few BWCA families who want to bring their kids to the woods.  I say you are never too old or too young to visit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  The challenge with canoe camping in the BWCA with small children is getting them to keep their life vest on.  If a child doesn't fuss when they are wearing a PFD then by all means bring them to the Boundary Waters.
     We made our kids wear their lifevests almost constantly when they were little.  I still worry sometimes when they are out on the dock without them on.  There's no need to take it off even around camp or when swimming.  Having your child wear their lifevest at all times takes a little bit of the worry away when camping in the BWCA.
     No one wants to harm their child so common sense is key when bringing your children to the wilderness canoe country. The sun's glare can be extremely harsh so lathering tons of sunscreen on your child, having them wear a wide brimmed hat and keeping them out of the direct sunlight is very important.  
     You'll want to protect your child from other elements of the BWCA as well.  If a child is not paddling then they can get pretty cold in the middle of a canoe especially if it is raining.  A good set of rain gear, an umbrella, a tarp or other protection from the rain is needed.  Bug bites can affect children's sensitive skin so dressing them appropriately, using bug deterrents and having bug screen along can help keep them safe.  Remember to bring along some sort of itch cream in case the bugs do reach your child.
     The attention span of all individuals is different.  There are some two-year-olds who will refuse to sit in a canoe for 8 hours just as there are adults who will refuse to do the same.  Knowing how much paddling to do and more importantly, when to stop will make life much more pleasurable while camping with your family.  
     Some people need to be entertained or they will get bored from doing the same thing over and over.  Paddling the wilderness lakes of the Boundary Waters may not seem repetitive to you but to others it might.  Tie toys to the inside of the canoe for tots to play with, play I Spy, sing songs, tell stories, read a book, take pictures, use binoculars and think of a number of other creative ways to pass time while in the canoe.
     Plan the BWCA trip according to your group's abilities.  A trip with alot of long portages isn't going to be easy with some small children.  One hike from an entry point parking lot into a wilderness campsite might be just perfect.  That way you're always within a short distance if you need to cut your trip short. 
     If you're really worried you or your child won't do well while camping in the Boundary Waters then plan to stay in a cabin near the BWCA.  That way you can take day trips to introduce your child to the wilderness lakes and islands.  Enjoy swimming, picknicking and paddling during the day and return to a cozy cabin at night.  If everyone does good then make the step up to a wilderness canoe camping trip in the BWCA.

     Vacation time can be difficult to come by and that's why it is so important to make the most of every one you have.  There are many things to consider when planning a canoe trip into the Boundary Waters or Quetico Park.  One very important decision to make is which canoe trip outfitter will you choose?
     If you're like me you spend alot of time wondering if you are making the right choice when you're planning a vacation.  There are lots of BWCA outfitters out there so how can you know which one is the best? 
     One resource I like to use when I'm planning trips elsewhere is Trip Advisor.  The problem with the site is the ratings aren't always accurate and some people go strictly by the ratings and don't read the reviews. 
     For the folks who do read reviews and go by Trip Advisor ratings we would like to help them make the best decision for their Boundary Waters wilderness canoe trip outfitter.  We of course think we're the best BWCA outfitter and we hope you do too.
     We're also hoping you will take the time to help others choose Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. You can do that by posting a positive review for us on Trip Advisor.  It only takes a minute and you'll save folks from having to worry about making the right choice for their wilderness vacation.

     One thing I love about the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is when it is compared to other outdoor recreation opportunities a person doesn't have to be overly brave or experienced to enjoy it.  There are some very beautiful places to visit around the world but many of them aren't forgiving when it comes to human error or the wrath of Mother Nature.
     Take for example a local from Grand Marais who is planning a trip to Mt. McKinley.  His outdoor adventure will find him attempting to summit during the winter when there's only four hours of daylight and possibly minus fifty degree weather.  Only sixteen people have summited in the winter and six have died trying. 
     Dangers exist around every corner in some forms of outdoor recreation.  Avalanches, falling in an ice crevasse, slipping off a mountain into oblivion, freezing to death in a winter storm, skiing at a high speed into a tree are all ways to end a vacation quickly.  
     Even in places where one would think they were relatively safe there exists the possibility of becoming the next meal for an animal.  Specifically a polar bear or grizzly bear that likes the taste of human and may roam a regular campground next to a highway.  Our black bears in Minnesota are like big raccoons that get into our food or garbage but don't prey on humans.
     While some folks may think weather in the BWCA can be questionable the temperatures really don't vary much during the summer paddling months.  It may get down into the 50's at night and up into the 90's during the daytime but generally the temperatures are in the 60's and 70's and it's quite pleasant.
     Then there are the dangers that lurk beneath the canoe.  Luckily in the canoe country of Minnesota we don't have hippos, piranhas, sharks or other people eating animals to worry about if we capsize.  Sadly for a 35-year old kayaking the Lukuga River in the Congo he didn't even capsize but was still plucked from his kayak by a crocodile never to be seen again. I like knowing what's beneath me when I'm canoeing isn't going to come up and eat me.  I might be surprised to see an otter, beaver, loon or snapping turtle but I can't picture any of them pulling me into the water to eat me.
     Bugs are a big concern for many Boundary Waters canoe campers.  While we do have mosquitos and black flies I don't think they are that bad.  I've been to the Everglades when my arm turned instantly black with mosquitos the second I got out of my car.  I've been to places where upon returning to the US they won't let you give blood because you've visited that country in the past year.  We've never had a case of Malaria or West Nile Virus in the BWCA.  
     While no outdoor recreational activity is considered safe and there's risk involved in everything we do I like to think the Boundary Waters is a better option than other wilderness trips.  You won't find poisonous snakes or spiders, petty thieves hiding in the bushes or the need for expert wilderness skills.  A little common sense, a focus on safety and wearing a lifevest makes the BWCA a good bet for a safe return.  I think I'll keep paddling the canoe country of Minnesota and if I'm feeling brave enough to paddle in the Congo or summit Mt. McKinley in the winter then I'll make sure my funeral plans are arranged.
 was recently plucked from his kayak in the Lukuga River in Congo by a crocodile.  don't leave much for error

     The days are short and the nights are long in the BWCA as we approach the winter solstice.  A couple of nights of 20 degrees below zero temperatures and I'm still thinking about camping.  Not only winter camping in the Boundary Waters but also summer canoe trips into the BWCA.  It's never too early to start planning your next Boundary Waters canoe trip and now you can even reserve your BWCA permits.
    

     The lottery for BWCA permit reservations began on December 1^st and will be open until January 15^th, 2011. In order to reserve a Boundary Waters permit the entry date and entry point is needed while the number of people in the group and days of the trip can be estimated until the date of arrival. Permits can only be reserved online during the lottery and up until February 1st when phone reservations will then be accepted. (877-444-6777)

     We can reserve your BWCA permit for you or you can reserve your permit and choose to pick it up at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters.  Make sure you select us as the BWCA permit issuing station or let the reservation specialist on the telephone know your preference. 

     Winter campers in the Boundary Waters don't need to make permit reservations in advance.  You just have to fill out a self-issuing permit found at the entry point and be prepared for those below zero temperatures.
 

I did a Voyageur Canoe Outfitters  3-day trip in September. I have nothing but good things to say about Voyageur. They gave us everything we needed: a solid canoe, a waterproof map with our suggested route marked down, our park permit, and pre-packed bags with all of our supplies (except for clothes/hygiene stuff of course). We arrived the night before and stayed in a no-frills cabin. The next morning they gave us a carb-loaded pancake breakfast, went through some quick safety stuff, answered the questions we had, and then took us out to our start point. If you haven’t portaged before have them give you a lesson in it — good technique makes it a lot easier, especially for lifting the canoe onto your shoulders and putting it back down. The map had our route marked out, including the portage lengths, campground options along the way, and hiking/side trip options. The route is only a suggestion, because all that they require is that you return the canoe and bags to the destination site that you selected beforehand. Once you are in the water you are free to travel where you wish and use whatever campsites you want. We changed our plans due to weather and had no problems thanks to the map. The food was good and hardy and had proper serving sizes (for us at least, you can ask for extra food if you want). Each meal was put in a separate plastic bag, which made it extremely easy to prepare and avoids the need to ration your supplies. Portaging can be tough, the water is cold, and you won’t find any showers or faucets, but if you have never been to the Boundary Waters I recommend giving this a try.

Name: Wesley
City:
State:
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip

Since we have been back from our canoe trip we have been asked about our BWCA trip and I tell everyone it was great and our outfitter made the trip special. I am so glad we chose Voyageur as our BWCA outfitter. From the initial planning stages thru payment, upon our arrival and departure everyone treated us perfectly! I would like to comment on how nice everyone was. Chelsea always answered our questions no matter how silly they were. Andy.......I cannot say enough about this man. He is a very impressive young man who always lent us a helping hand and a friendly smile. He made sure we knew what to do along with what we needed to make our adventure a memorable one.  He was more than kind when it came to things we needed and he was very personable even when he was off duty.  TheVoyageur Crew is very lucky to have a kind and responsible young man working for them.  He was awesome!  Thanks Andy! The pancakes and sausage were delicious and so were the pizzas! At tonight's Troop meeting, the boys started talking about next year's voyage! Thanks to all at Voyageur all of you are amazing and I know that Troop 44 will be back!!! You cannot go wrong by booking with Voyageur!

Name: Troop 44
City: Ottawa
State: IL
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip

     You won't normally hear a Boundary Waters outfitter recommending BWCA trips in November.  Canoe camping this late in the season poses more safety risks than most people are comfortable with.  With a forecast like this week I wouldn't rule out a November BWCA trip.

Today...Mostly sunny. Highs 53 to 58. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight...Mostly clear. Lows 30 to 35. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Tuesday...Mostly sunny. Highs 48 to 53. East winds 10 to 20 mph.

Tuesday Night...Increasing clouds. Lows 37 to 42. Southeast winds 10 to 20 mph.

Wednesday...Partly sunny in the morning...then mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of light rain in the afternoon. Highs 50 to 55. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. 

     The forecast looks pretty nice for a canoe trip especially if the BWCA route chosen is a sensible one.  The warm daytime temperatures should alleviate the risk of getting stuck in a frozen bay and the moderate nightly lows are comfortable for Boundary Waters camping.  Choosing a BWCA entry point on a small lake will make the winds a non-issue.  Capsizing in the cold wilderness waters is always a concern but with sunshine and warm air you aren't much worse off in the Boundary Waters now than you would be any other time.  
     If my schedule wasn't filled to the brim then I'd be planning a Boundary Waters camping trip and packing my bags.  Actually, I would have left last Friday already since it's been such a beautiful weekend.   But instead I'll be doing what is normal for November in Minnesota and making sure my son gets to hockey practice.  After all, this nice fall weather can't last forever, can it?

     There are so many BWCA routes to choose from and all winter to dream over your BWCA maps.  If you're anything like me then you're already planning your next BWCA route to paddle while you're still canoe camping in the Boundary Waters. 
     There's only so much time to paddle and portage when you're on a BWCA canoe trip and you can't make it to every wilderness lake in the area.  Often I sit in the tent at night planning the next day and wishing I could take a side trip into a nearby lake.  Unfortunately I don't have endless time to explore the Boundary Waters even though it is right in my backyard. 
     I often find myself in an internal debate. Do I want to see something new or would I rather go back to a BWCA route I've been on? Maybe a little bit of both is the perfect mix for a Boundary Waters trip.  There's something comforting about the known but exciting about the unknown.
     Good thing I have all winter long to pour over my BWCA maps and plan my first BWCA route of paddling season 2011.

     While I don't necessarily recommend taking a hike in the woods on the Gunflint Trail today I do think you should drive up the Gunflint Trail tonight to attend a presentation about the hiking on the Gunflint Trail.
     TheKekekabic Hiking Trail can be accessed from the Gunflint Trail and from the Fernberg Road in Ely, MN.  The trail meanders through remote areas in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  As with most paths in the forests this trail has a story and the founder of the Kekekabic Hiking Trail Club will be telling it tonight.
     The Centennial Hiking Trail follows a portion of the Kekekabic Hiking Trail and is travels along an old railway bed.  There's a rich history about this trail and mining on the Gunflint Trail that will also be discussed tonight.
     Today is the first day of deer hunting up here so if you do want to take a hike on the Gunflint Trail then be sure to wear blaze orange.  Otherwise just plan an evening on the Gunflint Trail.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2010

　

The Centennial Trail is a loop trail of 3.3 miles. It incorporates 1.2 miles of the Kekekabic Trail and connects the Port Arthur Railroad bed built in the early 1890's. After the Ham Lake Fire, several of the old mine pits and railroad beds were exposed and that's how Tom Kaffeine, USFS Forestry Technician and wilderness guru, came up with the idea of this historical trail.　

8:00 pm "Kekekabic Trail from 1990 to present, 20 years of volunteer maintenance,"

by Martin Kubik, Kekekabic Trail Club Founder

The Kekekabic Trail is a 42 mile long deep wilderness trail. Built as an access trail for fire fighters in 1930’s, the trail became a recreational trail in the 1960’s. In 1980’s, the Forest Service abandoned the trail due to budget cuts. In an attempt to bring the trail back, Bill Rom, retired canoe outfitter from Ely, put up a reward of $500 to anyone who would clear the interior 20 miles in 1986.

Back then, the Kek as it is called, had between 2,000-3,000 treefalls blocking the path. In 1990, Martin Kubik recruited volunteer co-workers from 3M Company in St. Paul and together they cut a clear path between the two trailheads. Later, Martin Kubik founded the Kekekabic Trail Club and in 2002, the BWA Committee was formed to help maintain historic hiking trails.

The Kekekabic Trail remains a wilderness challenge. The 1999 storm decimated 2/3 of the trail. Following two major fires in 2006 and 2007, much of the path was burned to the rock bed and made it extremely difficult to follow even by experts. The trail gained nationwide attention in 2008 when two hikers from Duluth were lost on Kek for four days. Today, the Kekekabic trail is regenerating itself and is ready for those willing accept its challenge. It is currently maintained by several volunteer organizations working with the USDA Forest Service to keep trail over-growth in control.

Boundary Waters Advisory Committee is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserve existing, historic and intrinsically beautiful wilderness hiking trails of the BWCAW in the Superior National Forest . It accomplishes its mission by organizing trail clearing trips in cooperation with the USFS, increasing awareness about the wilderness hiking trails, and by lobbying to preserve existing trails.

 

   at the Gunflint Lodge Conference Center
located 45 miles up the Gunflint Trail out of Grand Marais

7:30 pm "History of the Centennial Trail" by Tom Kaffeine, USFS Wilderness Ranger

     It's rare to find a camp chair at my Boundary Waters campsite unless I'm not planning to portage.  Camp chairs add extra weight that I don't like to have to carry in the BWCA but on my last solo canoe trip I decided to bring one along.

     The best thing about the chair I brought into the Boundary Waters with me was I didn't have to carry it.  That's because the sleeping pad I brought along could also be used as a camp chair.  This double duty piece of Boundary Waters equipment only weighs 21.6 ounces and was very comfortable for both sleeping and lounging around the camp.  It's longer than most camp chairs so you can either double it up for extra cushion underneath or use the extra length to protect your legs from the ground. 
 
     Now that I've experienced the luxury of having a camp chair in the Boundary Waters I doubt I will ever not bring along a sleeping pad that can be used as a chair.  It was great to be able to relax around camp and not worry about puncturing a self inflating mat in the process.  The Crazy Creek Lounger even worked as a wilderness yoga mat. 

     If you're in the market for a new sleeping pad for your BWCA canoe trips then look no further than the Crazy Creek Powerlounger.  You won't be disappointed with the versatility or comfort it can provide you in the Boundary Waters.

     I must confess, I am in love with the BWCA.  I'm filled with happiness when I'm canoeing or camping in the Boundary Waters and I miss it desperately when I'm not.  It refreshes me and cleanses my soul giving me a more optimistic view on life.  This can only be described as love.
     I was able to take a solo canoe trip into the Boundary Waters over the weekend and what a weekend it was.  Who would have thought a weekend in October in the BWCAW could be so wonderful?  The temperatures were perfect for wilderness camping with daytime highs up into the 70's.  Sunshine filled the daytime sky and the wind was practically non-existent.  None of bugs of the Boundary Waters were out and with just a few other folks out paddling the canoe country it was beyond peaceful.
     One of my favorite things about camping in the Boundary Waters is looking at the night sky.  The night sky was filled with twinkling stars and their reflection could be seen on the calm surface of the wilderness lake.  You feel as if you're floating in space amongst the stars as you gaze up into the sky from your Boundary Waters campsite.  
     Fishing in the BWCA was as fun as ever but unfortunately the catching wasn't so good.  I didn't put too much time into trolling as I wasn't planning to eat or keep any fish anyway.  Good thing since I didn't get a bite.
     I did miss swimming in the refreshing lakes of the Boundary Waters especially after my long portage.  I waded in to cool off but it didn't take me long to head back to shore and out of the frigid water.  I really like to swim in the wilderness lakes but I'll have to wait until next summer until I can do that again.

     Now that October is here a Boundary Waters permit reservation is no longer needed.  Self-issue BWCA permits are available to fill out at the BWCA entry points but no reservation or payment is needed. 
     That's just one of the great things about paddling the Boundary Waters in October.  One look at this week's forecast for the BWCA had me jumping for joy and trying to juggle my schedule so I can get out on another Boundary Waters canoe trip. 
     The forecast calls for temperatures in the 60's and sunny skies.  Sounds perfect for canoe camping in the wilderness.  I love to sit at a BWCA campsite and enjoy the fall scenery and smells that surround me.
     We had canoe groups out paddling the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park this past weekend.  They enjoyed the sunshine, solitude and good fishing that October has brought.  It's not every week a forecast in October looks this favorable for canoeing the BWCA so you need to take advantage of this rare opportunity.
     We're still open for business at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters and we'd love to see you at the end of the Gunflint Trail.  Call us today 1-888-CANOEIT and plan your canoe trip or resort stay, but hurry, this beautiful weather won't last long.

     Probably the biggest factor of whether you have a great Boundary Waters experience or a not so wonderful one is who is going into the BWCA with you.  You can paddle alone or bring 8 other people with you for your Boundary Waters Canoe trip.  Determining who you are going to paddle with should be the first step in planning a wilderness canoe camping trip.
     Chances are if a person annoys you on land then he or she is going to drive you crazy on a Boundary Waters canoe trip. As owner of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters we talk to alot of people who tell us their trip would have been better if so and so would have stayed home.  Don't try to convince yourself you can handle the annoying laugh or the bad jokes of someone who is going to be on the canoe trip with you.  Chances are it isn't going to bother you any less when you're out in the canoe country.
     Just like on the playground there are some people who play well together and there are some who do not.  Don't invite people to go on a Boundary Waters trip if they can't get along with each other at Thursday night softball.  Try not to ask two hard-headed individuals along or 2 of the laziest people you know.  You'll end up either being bossed around or doing all of the camping work yourself.
     If you really want to cover alot of Minnesota's wilderness territory on your trip then don't ask your 4 year old son to go with you.  Paddling 150 miles and portaging 4 miles in the BWCA might be ok to do with your fit friend but not one who isn't in shape.  Don't forget to think about what type of canoe trip you want to take before you invite people along.
     When all you want to do is find the nearest Boundary Waters campsite and relax in a hammock then don't ask your friend who can't sit still long enough to watch a movie along.  Chances are you won't spend much time in your hammock if they aren't able to entertain themselves either.
     Think about what type of Boundary Waters trip you want to take before you invite other people along.  If you want to spend time fishing then invite an avid angler on your canoe camping trip.  Your Boundary Waters experience will be much more enjoyable if all of the people who are with you are on board and get along. 

After already booking a six day/five night trip for August on the Ely, I got a Facebook message with the Voyager newsletter advertising peaceful, beautiful trips on the Gunflint side. Ely has always been our starting point, but when I couldn't get the thought of trying something new out of my head, we did the spontaneous and booked a second trip, a four day/three night trip out of Poplar/Lizz Lake to Horseshoe Lake to follow our six day/five night trip with only a one day layover in between to do laundry! When we arrived at Voyageur after our drive down and around from Ely, we were exhausted from our previous trip and not sure we were ready to tackle another one. Even after checking-in and getting our permit and canoe-rental squared away, we weren't sure we hadn't gotten ourselves in over our head. It wasn't until we were settled into our bunkhouse cabin for the night that we realized this was going to be a lot of fun! And what a treat for us! My husband, two kids (ages 3.5 and 2), and I, after a hearty Voyageur-served pancake breakfast, convoyed with the "canoe guy" out to the entry point. We entered at Poplar Lake and paddled/portaged easily to Horseshoe Lake. We ended up with a perfect campsite in the middle of a grove of pine trees so sheltered, you couldn't hardly tell it was a site when looking at it from the lake, but not so sheltered as to prevent good wind circulation and nice views of the lake. We spent three nights at that site with a day trip to Vista Lake and a day trip to explore the full length of Horseshoe. Couldn't have asked for a better trip! Kids had a blast! Two-year old daughter couldn't stop leaning over the canoe to splash in the water (see picture). Three-half-year old son wanted to constantly explore. Beautiful sunny weather, not-too-hot/not-too-cold temperatures, wind that made it a challenge to paddle but kept the bugs away, quality time with my family, and most of all precious memories for me to take with me as I head to Afghanistan mid-Oct for a year! It was completely depressing to have to leave so soon but guess where I'm planning to spend my mid-deployment leave next summer?! Yep... this Soldier's going to be R&Ring in the BWCA! Thanks Voyageur for being a part of our great time!

Name: Tanya Bindernagel
City: Clarksville
State: Tennessee
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip

I have wanted to go canoeing in the Boundary Waters for most of my life. The timing was never right. In July 2004 I finally had my chance and I signed up for a women's trip. I had two goals...one of course was to canoe the waters, the other was to photograph a moose. As I was pulling onto the drive that would lead me to VCO I happened to look to my left and saw a moose standing in the field grazing. My camera was packed in my suitcase so I would have to dig it out when I stopped. When I arrived our group turned out to be two other women from Indiana and our guide. I was supposed to have a friend a long as well, but she fell sick before the trip. Our guide had noticed the moose as well and said we could stop and photograph it before we stopped at a local cafe for pizza and planning. Unfortunately, the moose was gone when we left. At our planning meeting over the best pizza ever our guide told us that easiest meals to take on the canoe were cold ones. So she suggested we do a cold pack. Since she had been doing this for 30 years we figured she knew best. Our first day out was fabulous. The weather was great, the wind very low, and wild life easily spotted. We camped our first night on Englishman Island. We arrived there right around lunch time. I unpacked the food and read the menu for our lunch....trail mix, peanut butter and jelly on crackers, and water from the lake. One of the other women asked what was on the menu for supper. I looked and read, "trail mix, peanut butter and jelly on crackers, and lake water." She looked at me and asked, "What are we having for the next two days?" I checked again....trail mix, some days were pb and j on crackers and others were squeeze cheese on crackers and power bars. Oh, and one night was smores. Needless to say, our meals were not going to be what we were expecting. It was fun though, laughing about the trail mix, the power bars that looked like bear scat and tasted like grandma's fruitcake, and how we devoured all the smores just to have something we liked. Thank God for the coffee in the morning....although we had to go scavenge another campsite for matches. :) Our last night on the water our guide had to leave us to make a wedding and we were okay with that. To make up for the trail mix meals she paddled back to the little cafe with the great pizza and paddled us back a large one before she left us for good. You have never seen three women eat through a pizza as fast as we did. I bet we looked like starved cavemen. I love my time that I spent up there and I hope one day to do it all again. And when I do, you can bet I'm going through VCO again!

Name: Carol
City: Toledo
State: Iowa
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip