I wanted to take advantage of some extra time and go to Ely. I haven’t been there in over 4 years. After taking out at Sawbill and a nice chat with Bill Hansen there, I had breakfast at the Co Ho Café in Tofte and headed toward Ely on Highway 1. A beautiful day and nice drive. I met up with Tremolo and we did a really nice paddle out of Fenske Lake. Pretty, pretty area. On the way back we, of course, hit the headwind from hell. Tremolo, however has an amazing power stroke in the bow and after sitting out a bit of it on shore, we pressed on. Tremolo then supervised me setting up my tent on site #7 at the Fenske campgrounds and we then headed for Ho Ho’s place. I brought some “Three Blind Moose “ merlot and “Smoking Loon” cabernet, while ‘Molo baked a veggie lasagna (MUCH better than my veggie meal on Wine!). Ho Ho entertained us with salad and stories and explained to me all that I did wrong on my Mug Lake escapade. It was a night I will long, long remember, not only for the food, but for the wonderful companionship afterward. This was heaven.

Next day, a little tourist shopping, a dinner with Wilderness Mama and Papa from the CCBB board and then it was Tuesday nite in Ely. Ely comes alive!!! Music everywhere! The Front Porch, Wintergreen’s, Northern Grounds – everywhere. Let’s go band hopping!

Tremolo and Ho Ho were dining at RockWood, a great restaurant that had taken over the old Hardee’s. Ely was moving up. I met them and we trekked over to Northern Grounds and heard a great acoustic rock band called “Crazy Neighbors”. (I kept calling them the “Nosy Neighbors”, but that was 3 beers later). We also met up with Mrs Unlce Moose (Heidi) and Timbrgirl from the CCBB as well:

Left to Right:

Mrs Uncle Moose (Heidi), OneMatch, Timbrgirl, Ho Ho, Tremolo.

We talked about bowling afterwards, but as I was very reluctantly leaving the next day, it was time to have an amazing restful and thought provoking evening on a soft bed at the VNO bunkhouse.

The 2 day drive home was uneventful with the exception that about every 20 minutes I wanted to turn back. I didn’t. But my love for the area and for my kindred spirits there has only been intensified.

Thanks for coming along.