Unexpected Perfection in the Boundary Waters
Just back yesterday from the Boundary Waters on the Canadian/Minnesota Borders after another inspiration canoe wilderness camping trip with my sister, Nancy. We both thought this trip would be an easy paddle in, a set up on our favorite campsite on a small lake, and a week spent day tripping here and there.
But Mother Nature knows how to keep you humble and on your toes. About two minutes after launching the canoe, I took this photo:
And then it really started to be interesting. It was honestly the biggest and nastiest water I have ever paddled in for so long. So finally we said, “That’s it” and beat back to a campsite we had visited before. We were one lake short of where we hoped to be, but very happy to be safely ashore.
Engineer Nancy set up with this tarp wind break that was a great place to cook and be out of the roaring wind and rain:
And so we spent the week on that one campsite with plenty of time for naps, lovely meals, sketching and a daily photography challenge. And in every kind of weather we had coffee break in the afternoon; you know that made me happy:
We also had two sunny days that let us survey our big lake and see mink, eagles, beavers, loons, and more. Sometimes life gives you just what you need.
My August e-newsletter will be coming out before the end of the month with more exclusive photos and stories from the Boundary Waters . Not a subscriber? Just send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE as the header.
These maple seeds just turning pink were very interesting to me. I photographed them again and again at different times of day and in different light:
Thank you, Gail!
Jean, You were a little bit South of us, but definitely the same weather. Crazy! Glad you made it in and out safely.
Leni – I know your photographs will lead to some great new artwork also.
Thanks for the comments! V.
I love reading about your adventures, Virginia!
Hi Virginia,
We just returned from 8 days in the Boundary Waters as well (August 15-23rd). We were on Lake One, Lake Two, Lake Three and Lake Four and experienced the same wind issues on our first day going in. We had one to two foot waves and it was a tough paddle fully loaded in the old heavy wood canoe.
Had planned on staying for a couple more days but decided we didn’t want a repeat of the trip in so left early. Good thing we did as half way back to the Access lodge, wind picked up again and thunderstorms came in that evening.
It is one of the most beautiful areas in US and I don’t think many take advantage of it but for serenity, recharging of batteries and NOT having to deal with emails, etc, it is THE perfect place.
I can’t wait to see the next round of pieces inspired by your amazing trips. It is always fascinating to me how different our inspirations can be–I am in awe of your seeing minks, eagles, and beavers as inspiration. I just took 100 photos of people walking around town, slightly different source!
Anxiously awaiting the next boundary waters pieces!