The First of Many
by Camp Cook
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
08/03/2009
Entry & Exit Point:
Little Indian Sioux River (north) (EP 14)
Number of Days:
6
Group Size:
4
Discuss Trip:
View Discussion Thread (13 messages)
Day 2 of 6
Tuesday, August 04, 2009 
We stopped in Duluth for lunch at the Lake Ave Café, a personal favorite, then a visit to the Duluth Pack store. Ollie found a hat that he could not live without and Butch, Emma and I all got new journals. The North Shore has always been a special place for me and my wife, we honeymooned on the Superior Hiking Trail and have spent a lot of time exploring the area. Recalling our time spent there, I was surprised by the realization that our kids had never been to the north shore; we all agree that many more trips are in our future.
The drive from the shore (Two Harbors) to Ely was beautiful and I added it to my mental list of future motorcycle routes. We got to Ely in the late afternoon and checked in to our room at the Adventure Inn. We did the Ely thing; at Canoe Country Outfitters we picked up our permit, a three seat SRQ 18.5 and BWCA patches for the kids packs. At Pirigas, Butch found a pair of Keen, wet footing shoes and the kids and I got a new hoodie for Mom. Supper was at DQ, then back to the room for the night. Butch and I retired to the chairs outside of the room to have a few beers and watch the parking lot fill up. We talked to an older gentleman who is headed up to Knife with his family the next day (his sons appear to be in their 40’s or 50’s). Three canoes were strapped to the top of his van, two of which were self built strippers. He tells us that he built one of the strippers in ten days out of a couple of red wood 2x4’s because he needed a boat for a trip. One of his sons tells us that he also has a 1906 Old Town in his fleet at home… if those canoes could talk.
I spoke with my wife, Amy, on the phone. We agreed that it felt strange for me and the kids to be on a trip without her. We also agreed that she was due for a well deserved break from familial responsibilities. We said our good buys and it was off to the sack for a restless nights sleep.
Day 1; Tuesday, August 4th ‘09; Backus to Ely by way of Duluth
We decided to take the scenic route to Ely. The weather was post card perfect with cool temps and blue bird skys. The kids were very excited to be under way and had already started burning through the film in their disposable cameras.
We stopped in Duluth for lunch at the Lake Ave Café, a personal favorite, then a visit to the Duluth Pack store. Ollie found a hat that he could not live without and Butch, Emma and I all got new journals. The North Shore has always been a special place for me and my wife, we honeymooned on the Superior Hiking Trail and have spent a lot of time exploring the area. Recalling our time spent there, I was surprised by the realization that our kids had never been to the north shore; we all agree that many more trips are in our future.
The drive from the shore (Two Harbors) to Ely was beautiful and I added it to my mental list of future motorcycle routes. We got to Ely in the late afternoon and checked in to our room at the Adventure Inn. We did the Ely thing; at Canoe Country Outfitters we picked up our permit, a three seat SRQ 18.5 and BWCA patches for the kids packs. At Pirigas, Butch found a pair of Keen, wet footing shoes and the kids and I got a new hoodie for Mom. Supper was at DQ, then back to the room for the night. Butch and I retired to the chairs outside of the room to have a few beers and watch the parking lot fill up. We talked to an older gentleman who is headed up to Knife with his family the next day (his sons appear to be in their 40’s or 50’s). Three canoes were strapped to the top of his van, two of which were self built strippers. He tells us that he built one of the strippers in ten days out of a couple of red wood 2x4’s because he needed a boat for a trip. One of his sons tells us that he also has a 1906 Old Town in his fleet at home… if those canoes could talk.
I spoke with my wife, Amy, on the phone. We agreed that it felt strange for me and the kids to be on a trip without her. We also agreed that she was due for a well deserved break from familial responsibilities. We said our good buys and it was off to the sack for a restless nights sleep.
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