I will post a painfully detailed trip report, but just a few notes based on bwca.com advice:

Stayed two nights in Rockwood Lodge bunkhouse, very comfortable, reasonable, Lake view, and they let us Park our car there for a week, issue our permit, launch from their beach, and offered excellent advice, all for an $80 investment, Thx Mike and Carl...

Picked up our outfitter edition 2013 wenonah UL kevlar Spirit II from Deb at Seagull for $1200. They got more you guys, they are great people.

Ate at Trail Center three times, words will not suffice, just eat there. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Loved their bread pudding French toast...

Spent a few bucks in Lake Superior Trading Post and Stone Harbor Outfitters, ate at Sven and Oles, sat by the harbor, all in Grand Marais.

We split our annual vacations among whitewater canoeing, backpacking, and flatwater trips, with the bwca only coming up every two to three years. This website keeps us up to date and we'll informed on a myriad of topics. I will re up my support shortly and need a new flying moose decal for the boat...

Thanks all!!

Glad to hear you had a great time and I'm looking forward to the report. Yes, Mike and Carl are great to work with and I like staying in their bunkhouse. I don't know of any other bunkhouses that have a lake view and private bath for each bunkhouse. I haven't personally used them, but have heard nothing but great things about Deb and Seagull.

Trail Center is my favorite restaurant anywhere!! I'm a 3rd grade teacher and in the yearbook last year each teacher was asked what their last meal would be. I said "The Logger at the Trail Center".

Next time you are in GM and looking for pizza, try My Sisters Place next to the grocery store. IMO their pizza is way better than Sven and Oles as well as the atmoshpere.

Did you get to any of the hiking trails along the Gunflint Trail?