Three weeks out from my first BWCA trip. Can't wait. Coming from St. Louis and am going to take a nice easy two days to Ely. Anyone know of any cool places to stay around Eau Claire, WI or around there?

Gear is sorted, laid out and ready to pack, Anybody know if I can get Flying Moose gear in Ely or is it online only? I don't think I should be sporting the moose till I make the trip. ;-)

Anyway thanks for everyone's help. Bill B. if you're around. Thanks. You're the man.

SYOTR

Do you have friend/family in Eau Claire? Otherwise i think it's a little out of the way. Maybe once you decide where you are staying at night you can get ideas where to dine.

Mapquest has me going near there. 55N to 39 towards Rockford. Or I could go thru Iowa. Time is about the same. We're leaving Saturday and not putting on till Monday so we're looking for something about 4 hours out from Ely. Taking everything nice and leisurely on this trip. :-)

A couple of reasons to hook up with Highway 53 North of Eau Claire....
You will go thru Duluth and view of Lake Superior.
Shorter distance to Ely.
Bypass Twin City Traffic.

So I would travel a little north of Eau Claire and stay in Hayward, WI.
Somewhat out of way, half hour or so.
But pretty Northwoods Wisconsin area that has Fishing Hall of Fame
and Lumberjack Games Center.

Totogatic Park on the Minong Flowage is a wonderful county park with nice campsites on the water.

Are you wanting to camp or do a motel,hotel overnight. The wife and I usually stay some where aroung Rice Lake . This gives you an easy drive to Ely and you are fully rested.

quote RiverRatz: "Anyway thanks for everyone's help. Bill B. if you're around. Thanks. You're the man.

SYOTR"

I think I may know this Bill B guy. Does he talk a little different than us midwestern folk?

Motel. Cheap :-) Someplace different would be cool. But Holiday inn works too.

Yeah that's him. Good guy.

You could drive to the North shore and stay there. Have a full day to wander Ely.

You're going to love it! One of my favorite places on the planet!!

I suggest going further north than EC too. Keep going until your in mostly pine trees. Then find any old motel and ask where the local super club is.

Unless the black market is back in business, flying moose stuff is only available here.

quote RiverRatz: "Motel. Cheap :-) Someplace different would be cool. But Holiday inn works too.
"

Wife and I have stayed here on our way home from trips. Bit north of Eau Claire in Chetek. Connected to a fun waterside bar/grill on Pogegama. Gilligan's

We usually stay at Maple Manor Motel in EauClair. Cheap , just off our route, hot breakfast included. Nothing special, just a 60,s style drive-up-to-room dated motel with a small lounge/bar and restaurant. Good breakfast free. There is a chain buffet for supper(similar to Golden Corral or Ryan's) a couple blocks down...forget the name. Around 60 bucks on weekend for a room for two. Leaves a 6+ hour drive to Ely. Kind of a tradition for us and up 53 before Superior/Duluth , we stop at the Jerkey Outlet in Minong .Jack Link's/Henderson's Market.
We have also done Super8 in Rice Lake which shaves an hour plus off the drive to Ely the next day, but are usually road weary by EauClair.

quote RiverRatz: "Motel. Cheap :-) Someplace different would be cool. But Holiday inn works too.
"

antler inn - quite clean rooms and free ice to refill your coolers.

quote BobDobbs: "

quote RiverRatz: "Motel. Cheap :-) Someplace different would be cool. But Holiday inn works too.
"

antler inn - quite clean rooms and free ice to refill your coolers."

Very Nearby. Same street if I remember right. Hastings Way? Rte 12 exit? We come in from Madison and Tomah off I-94. Stayed at Antlers once. It was good too and priced cheap too.

Thanks, I'll order my moose online!

Just spoke to a nice women at the Antler Motel. Last bit of logistics for the trip is done! Thanks all for your help.. I love it when a plan comes together. ;-)

If I was going to be stopping in that area, I'd try to fit the Leinenkugel Brewery tour in. Always going through late morning on way up, late afternoon and trip home, and have not stopped yet - but want to.

We did the Lienies tour this year, well worth it.

We always hit the Black Bear Motel in Cameron, WI. It's sort of a tradition, plus it's a pretty good day's haul and leaves you with a 5 hour drive to Ely or Trail's End. Chetek is another cool little town, just got Wisconsin smeared all over it, a wonderful place. Spooner is a little more civilized but you'll know you're not in St. Louis anymore. Sleep, get to the Outfitter at 1 or 2 PM easily, take in some local culture and still get plenty of rest for day one. I wish you the best.

Thanks Bill I do appreciate that. I'll be sure to post pics and a trip report when I get back.