BWCA New owners at Voyageur North Outfitters Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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schweady
distinguished member(8070)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/15/2022 01:09PM  
Imagine my surprise upon opening the latest copy of the VNO Gazette, which arrived today.

Our time with Voyageur North goes back to 2006, when we decided to begin staying at an Ely bunkhouse to get an earlier start on the water rather than heading in on the same day as our 5-hour trip from Perham.

John and Lynn O'Kane have treated us royally over the years - great accommodations, efficient bookings, equipment upgrades when needed, and -- of course -- John's map markings. Their 40 years of outfitting experience enhanced every aspect of our Ely stays and our wilderness trips.

The best part: "though Lynn has fully retired, John continues to be firmly seated in his seat at the routing table to share his unparalleled BWCAW wisdom and experience with our customers."

Congratulations to the new owners, Tanner and Silke Spicer. We look forward to a long-lasting, continued relationship with VNO.

And, THANK YOU, Lynn and John!

VNO About Us page
 
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CabinAfter
distinguished member (184)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/15/2022 02:10PM  
Wow- incredible news. I hope they enjoy retirement! Well deserved!
 
cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/15/2022 02:33PM  
Good for them and good for John. Sounds like they'll still be around then
 
01/15/2022 08:33PM  
Congratulations Lynn and John! It seems like yesterday that my wife and I were sitting at the table with John getting our map marked up for our second trip to the BW, crazy to think that was 16 years ago already.
 
HowardSprague
distinguished member(3419)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/15/2022 08:54PM  
They’ve both worked so tirelessly for such a long time, retirement is well-deserved. So glad I went through them this past summer. Hope they make it to one more Canoecopia!
First time I was in VNO, it wasn’t even for outfitting. We got some bait there, but mainly because we were staying a week at White Iron Beach Resort and our cabin at the time had no shower! VNO had a sign saying something like “Showers $5”.... a bargain! It was prob around 1989-90 or so. Saw some people show up after a canoe trip, all dirty and happy looking. Before that, I didn’t know about this stuff - it was just resort cabin and motorboat fishing for about 8-10 hours a day.

Thanks John & Lynn!
 
01/15/2022 11:44PM  
Used them many times and it never seemed liked I was a customer but a friend coming back. Thanks John and Lynn!

I was shocked when I got my newsletter today as well. Good to hear they will have some involvement and good luck to the new owners!

T
 
woodsandwater
distinguished member (401)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/16/2022 06:03AM  
I have known John and Lynn for at least 20 years and have fully or partially outfitted through them with my family, friends, church. They have always been wonderful, gracious, helpful people. God bless them in their retirement! Well earned and deserved.
 
01/16/2022 10:38AM  
What everyone else said. John and Lynn are the best and I'm sure they'll be passing that on to the new folks.

 
Ohiopikeman
distinguished member (155)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/16/2022 12:37PM  
I will definitely miss seeing Lynn at VNO during our annual BWCA trips, but am very happy to hear that John will still be around the shop for guidance. Like many here, we have been loyal VNO customers for 20+ years.

Looking forward to meeting the new owners Tanner and Silke Spicer for this summer's trip.

Lynn - Enjoy a well earned retirement!

 
01/16/2022 04:10PM  
John and Lynn have great to work with over they years. They have always taken care of my club and personal trips. They have put together a great team and I'm sure the service will be just as spectacular. I'm always happy when I hear someone has the opportunity to slow down and retire.
From John with the Central Indiana Wilderness Club
 
01/17/2022 09:01AM  
Congrats to John and Lynn on the retirement! We stopped by their booth at the boat, sport, and travel show about 10 years ago. I had only briefly heard of the BWCA prior to that but after talking with them we decided to try out a trip. Now we plan at least 1 trip a year to the BWCA. Look forward to working with the new owners.
 
RetiredDave
distinguished member (368)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/17/2022 06:40PM  
Thank you, John and Lynn! We started with you in 1998 and you have always been our outfitter. I will miss seeing you, Lynn, and John, your calm presence will continue to guide me for as long as you are there!

Dave
 
01/17/2022 11:11PM  
Wow, that is always the place I go to for permits, bait and the small stuff needed before a trip. One time the seat on my Prism became unattached at the end of a trip and they cheerfully epoxied it back on while we went for lunch and it’s been sound since. Gave me pads so I could transport the boat home upside down. Didn’t even charge me for them. One time I forgot to give them a pack back and I contacted them and John told me to send him 40 bucks, call it even, and I still have the pack with their logo on it. We always hit their showers on the way out. Those are some really nice people and I certainly wish them the best.
 
andym
distinguished member(5340)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/18/2022 01:24AM  
Congrats to them on retiring! We've used them for rentals on two trips and would have used them more often but we bought two used canoes from them and stopped needing that service. But we still stop in when we are shopping in town for that small stuff for trips or gifts. And we've always been happy customers.
 
01/19/2022 03:56PM  
Congratulations to John & Lynn. Welcome to the club.
 
JimmyJustice
distinguished member(736)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/20/2022 08:20AM  
Started using VNO in the early 90's. after being introduced to them by a friend. I have used them every year since and plan on continuing that tradition.

The first time I used VNO Lynn was kind enough to let me (a stranger) use her desktop computer to log into my email account and get some work done. I had to get some work by days end and it was killing me the whole drive up. That was back in 94 when it was dial-up and few had cell phones. Every now and then, John would let me betta test some new piece of equipment they got in. I think Lynn would have preferred he charged us :) One trip a few years ago, the tortillas did not get packed. Luckily we had cell coverage on the lake were on...and low and behold one of their daughters and another staffer, brought them to camp. Talk about customer service!!! Too many stories to tell here. Chatting with Lynn or John (depending on time of day we arrived) had been one of the pleasures of each trip.

This last fall I stopped in to say Hi and chatted with John about the sale. Sad in one respect (I don't like change) but happy for them and excited for them to spend more time with family. Thank you Lynn and John for all the good trip advice, quality equipment, exceptional service, the cold Hams and warm showers.

Stay well and enjoy retirement.
JJ
 
01/21/2022 02:02PM  
Congrats John and Lynn!

I'm going to miss being able to call the store, say 'Hi Lynn, it's JDeVries and get instantly recognized.

This last year when my wife and I showed up to pick up our rental canoe, John was the only one in the store. John looked at my wife, told her to mind the store, then pulled me towards the livery and said let's go find your canoe.

JD
 
01/21/2022 05:19PM  
Congratulations to John and Lynn. They were always so welcoming and kind, and provided exceptional customer service. How amazing was it to have Lynn answer the phone when you called, and know who you were without asking for your name? John knew the Boundary Waters like it was his own back yard, and was expert at giving route advice about campsites, water levels, portages and fishing. I got to visit with them a lot at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show and at Canoecopia over the years, when they weren't quite as busy as during the season at VNO. I wish them a well-deserved, and long and happy, retirement. They have poured out their heart and soul into their business for 40 years, and I am glad to see they finally get time to rest and enjoy their family and summers.
 
PeaceFrog
distinguished member (339)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/21/2022 07:08PM  
Congrats John and Lynn!
They treated us very well on my past trips.
Welcome Tanner and Silke!
 
blutofish1
distinguished member(1859)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/22/2022 05:11PM  
IndyElden: "Congratulations to John and Lynn. They were always so welcoming and kind, and provided exceptional customer service. How amazing was it to have Lynn answer the phone when you called, and know who you were without asking for your name? John knew the Boundary Waters like it was his own back yard, and was expert at giving route advice about campsites, water levels, portages and fishing. I got to visit with them a lot at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show and at Canoecopia over the years, when they weren't quite as busy as during the season at VNO. I wish them a well-deserved, and long and happy, retirement. They have poured out their heart and soul into their business for 40 years, and I am glad to see they finally get time to rest and enjoy their family and summers.

I met you at copia a few years ago. VNO is a great place and I'm sure it will still be awesome. I will miss John and lynn though
 
01/30/2022 02:22PM  
VNO has been good to the people from Rockwood Lodge and Outfitters, congratulations to Tanner and Silke Spicer and THANK YOU to Lynn and John!
 
01/30/2022 04:38PM  
Congratulations John and Lynn... I hope you soaked them new owners good! Haha! That was joking as you’ve always been so kind and fair to everyone. I’m guessing this’ll be a smooth transition and the new owners can build their reputation as you all did... by hard work and a great positive environment. They have big shoes to fill, but I’m sure with the right “socks” they’ll be fine!
 
schweady
distinguished member(8070)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/30/2022 05:18PM  
 
walleyevision
distinguished member (246)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/31/2022 08:19AM  
Congrats on the retirement....selfishly I hope the new owners will keep the same hours. One of the best things about VNO is being able to get our canoes loaded onto our truck and be on the road to the EP by 6am. Not a lot of other outfitters are up and at' em that early, and it's really appreciated.

Best of wishes!
 
02/01/2022 02:21PM  
I wish the best to the new owners and they'll continue to get my business when I'm in town.

Is Lynn going to hand over the VoyageurNorth login to the new people? Is she going to petition Adam for a username change???
 
LynnOK
member (12)member
  
02/02/2022 07:37PM  
Yes, the VoyageurNorth here will be the new owners or my daughter Amber who continues to work at VNO. In fact my daughter Karyn (gear room), her hubby Smith (bait/transportation) son-in-law JB (who works on all the VNO vehicles), my grandson Jack and at least 75% or more of our regular employees will be staying on.

I now have this log in, just figured out how to set it up. After so many years, I forgot how to change it with only "my" info.

Thank you all for the kind words, thoughts and congratulations. I will still be around this website and getting John's input for things I need help with when answering. I plan on stopping in from time to time. All of you great customers I will miss something fierce. Most of you are no longer just customers but very, very good friends.

 
LynnOK
member (12)member
  
02/02/2022 07:47PM  
By the way; John & I will be working the Indy Sport show this February and the Canoecopia show in Madison as well!

Hope to reunite with many of you at one of these!
 
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