Voyageur Experiences

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